Pilot Peer Support in Business Aviation

Pilot Peer Support in Business Aviation

By: Dr. Michaela Schwarz and Dr. Margit Kanka

On 24 March 2005 the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, on Germanwings Flight 9525 deliberately crashed the aircraft into the French alps taking 144 passengers and six crew with him. Andreas Lubitz was previously treated for suicidal tendencies and was declared unfit to work but kept this information from his employer. For further details, please refer to the final accident investigation report published by the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis (BEA) for Civil Aviation Safety in France (BEA, 2016). 

To prevent the risk another Germanwings Flight 9525 in the future the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandated in between other measures the implementation of a pilot support program for flight crew for European commercial air transport operators by February 2021. Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1042 (CAT.GEN.MPA-215) says ‘that operators shall ensure access to a proactive and non-punitive support program that will assist and support flight crew in recognizing, coping with, and overcoming any problem which might negatively affect their ability to safely exercise the privileges of their license.’ 

MJet GmbH specialized in managing business jets in the heart of Europe in Vienna, Austria launched their pilot support program in early 2021. The program was kicked off with the roll-out of a mandatory training in Pilot Mental Health for around sixty flight crew. Following the successful implementation of the training, MJet GmbH involved two accredited aviation psychologists to support the selection, training, and supervision of pilot peers as first contact point for any job-related or personal life stresses or issues. MJet pilots were asked to nominate their colleagues based on their personal qualities and competencies. A care for desire to help colleagues and the ability to be a confident and friendly ear to those who reach out for help, while at the same time being a good listener, non-judgmental and discreet, are some of the qualities that make a good peer. In total fifteen peers were nominated, while nine accepted to be trained as peers. The peer group turned out to be representative of all fleets with a great mix of years of experience as pilot and different home bases and mother tongues. 

The nine peers successfully completed the two-day ICISF “Assisting Individuals in Crisis” course, complemented by a special module on Aviation Mental Health and Wellbeing. The course was facilitated by one licensed CISM instructor assisted by a clinical aviation psychologist on 28-29 March 2022 at the premises of MJet GmbH in Vienna, Austria. In the beginning the peers were concerned about being in the middle of the pilot in need and the aviation psychologist and how to deal with human feelings. The standard ICISF syllabus including important concepts and terms, history of crisis intervention, crisis communication techniques (listening exercise, diamond communication structure), psychological reactions in crisis and mechanisms of action, helped the peers to overcome their concerns and become confident peers. The peers really welcomed the SAFER-R model and teaching handouts as tools to support their one-on-one interventions. They very much appreciated the amount of practice foreseen in the ICISF manual, helping them to experience the benefits of CISM and peers support as well as gaining practical skills to support their fellow pilots.

Following the two-day training course, the peer group produced their own logo and procedure for activation of the pilot support program. Meanwhile peers have reported that they already had first opportunities to practice their skills applying the SAFER-R model. The group will come together again for a refresher training session later in the year where they can share their experiences gained so far. 

Photo source: MJet GmbH Pilot Support Program Peers and accredited aviation psychologists

Looking at the ongoing challenges many industries including aviation are facing including the Covid-19 pandemic and the war between Ukraine and Russia, the pilot support program is a welcomed offer to talk to peers about personal or job-related issues, before they become bigger issues.

We look forward to meeting the MJet GmbH peers again soon and meanwhile wish them all the best on their PSP journey!

Authors: Dr. Michaela Schwarz & Dr. Margit Kanta

www.aviationpsychologists.com 

Vienna, Austria