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Navy Flightcrews
The problem:
In spite of numerous initiatives to the contrary, the US Navy continues to lose aircraft, in many instances due to "preventable" problems:
- aircrews accepting multiple "Up gripes" due to "operational commitments"
- deteriorating pilot skills (in critical mission areas) due to too few flight hours
- systemic "workarounds" known to many, but scrutinized by few
- decision-making errors precipitated by "I'm a hacker" mindsets
Our solution:
In 2005, Helmet Fire successfully fielded a user-centric, easy-to-use, "human factors" data collection system for 5 helicopter squadrons:
- data flowed directly from flightcrews to Helmet Fire (absent any vetting)
- squadron commanders received raw data reports
- the external chain of command received redacted reports
- Helmet Fire was a "clearing house" for squadron-to-squadron info-sharing
High-level results:
3,000+ voluntary reports (averaging less than 4.5 minutes each) were collected in less than 24 months.
- the program was well received by the flightcrews
- squadron commanders found the program useful
- as a non-navy, external analysis cell we were considered an "honest broker"
- the success of this program led to variants being developed for other domains
Examples of data collected:
End-user comments:
Commanding Officer:
"Great program! I felt [the program] enabled the leadership to stay in touch with what was happening on flights. Great S.A. for the front office. We discuss flight issues within the wardroom all the time, however, it is a great 'real-time' tool to hear direct comments from the aircrew."
Commanding Officer:
"The system provides a 'fresh' perspective on reports being made within the command. There are not many inspection assessments in the Navy or safety program that provide an 'outside look in' approach. Working with an organization outside of the Navy aviation chain of command has been both useful and refreshing."
Commanding Officer:
"A third party, anonymous reporting capability was a force multiplier in terms of increasing safety. When [the CNAF sponsor] instructed that they be the middle-man, that anonymity was lost and JO’s lost faith in the program."