Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2015

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Human Capital Development

School

Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development

Committee Chair

Cyndi Gaudet

Committee Chair Department

Human Capital Development

Committee Member 2

Heather Annulis

Committee Member 2 Department

Human Capital Development

Committee Member 3

Randy Johnson

Committee Member 3 Department

Human Capital Development

Committee Member 4

Dale Lunsford

Committee Member 4 Department

Human Capital Development

Committee Member 5

Patti Phillips

Committee Member 5 Department

Human Capital Development

Abstract

The purpose of Crew Resource Management (CRM) is to improve flight crew coordination in multipiloted cockpits and in turn increase aviation flight safety. One aspect of CRM team coordination is the ability for flight crews to monitor each other properly and provide the appropriate backup if necessary. The author explores the role of shared mental models among Coast Guard rotary wing cockpit flight crews and their influence on monitoring and backup behaviors during nighttime overwater flight maneuvers. Using the Coast Guard’s MH-65 Operational Flight Trainer located at the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama, cockpit flight crews flew automated and manual instrument takeoff (ITO) maneuvers. Coast Guard CRM subject matter experts observed the interaction of the cockpit flight crews judging the level of mutual performance monitoring and backup behaviors during the ITO maneuvers. Using a repeated measures design, the researcher investigated the relationship and interaction between ITO maneuver shared mental model, type of ITO maneuver, and pilot flight time on cockpit flight crew monitoring and backup behaviors. Findings indicate a significant relationship between cockpit automation and levels of mutual performance monitoring and backup behaviors in cockpit flight crews.

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