General Aviation Joint Steering Committee
CFIT Working Group
Outreach Guidance Document
2022/03-03-242(I)PP
This outreach guidance is provided to all FAA and aviation industry groups that are participating in outreach efforts sponsored by the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC). It is important that all outreach on a given topic is coordinated and is free of conflicts. Therefore, all outreach products should be in alignment with the outline and concepts listed below for this topic.
Outreach Month: November 2022
Topic: CFIT and Plan Continuation Bias
The FAA and industry will conduct a public education campaign emphasizing the dangers posed by Plan Continuation Bias
Background:
GAJSC study of General Aviation CFIT Accidents suggested that human biases, particularly Plan Continuation Bias, may compromise effective pilot decision making and lead to CFIT accidents.
Teaching Points:
- Human biases are patterns of reasoning that weigh the value of information according to pre-conceived beliefs. Biases present as a prejudice in favor or or against one thing, person, or group compared with another; often in a way considered to be unfair.
- Plan Continutuation Bias is a form of Confirmation Bias that features pressing on with a plan even though information that indicates the plan should be modified or abandoned is readily available. It appears stronger as one nears completion of the activity (e.g. nearing a destination).
- Realistic pre-flight planning should objectively consider aircraft and pilot capabilities, route and weather challenges, and alternative destinations.
- Periodic objective pilot performance assessments should be made in consultation with a Flight Instructor.
- Objective in-flight “how-goes-it?” assessments should be made in order to inform decision making with respect to continuing, modifying, or abandoning the plan.
References:
- CFIT & Plan Continuation Power Point
- Available on the National FAASTeam Share Point site under Approved Resources.
- 7 Approaches – 1 Landing
- Background information article available on the National FAASTeam Share Point site under Approved Resources.
- U K Heli
- Background information article available on the National FAASTeam Share Point site under Approved Resources.
