Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                        Asiana Adopts New Pilot Training

   by Carolyn Presutti

   Asiana Airlines is changing its training for pilots to encourage crews
   to talk more and change cockpit culture. A U.S. investigation found the
   corporate culture may have been an issue in last year's deadly Asiana
   crash in California.
   This is Asiana Flight 214 crash landing at San Francisco last July.
   Three died, 180 injured.
   The following month, VOA was the first to report that the crash could
   be linked to a culture of "cockpit hierarchy." That's when one pilot
   defers to a senior officer, even if the junior pilot fears imminent
   danger.
   A U.S. National Transportation Safety Board hearing on the crash in
   December showed that one pilot did not feel he had the authority to
   abort the low and slow landing.
   And now, Asiana airlines is changing the way it trains pilots.
   ''South Korea's second-largest airline will encourage a friendlier
   culture in the cockpit, instead of one based on airline seniority,
   military status or age.
   "Why would you have two pilots in the airplane if they aren't going to
   talk to each other?" asked David Kirstein, who works in aviation
   regulatory law. He's not surprised by the new training.
   "There's probably pressure from the U.S. aviation officials, the NTSB,
   or their own government," he said. "And there may be a fall-off on
   traffic. Consumers are worried. If people aren't flying that would be
   the most motivating factor there is."
   Asiana's CEO [chief operating officer] has acknowledged there's an
   inclination in South Korea toward a "patriarchal culture." He said many
   pilots work and fly within the strict military order.
   Kirstein said other airlines should take note of Asiana's improvements
   and understand the importance of open communication in the cockpit.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/asiana-adopts-new-pilot-training/1851
   905.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/asiana-adopts-new-pilot-training/1851905.html