Tips for CRM and working with an unknown partner.

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🤝 Tips for CRM and Working with an Unknown Partner

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🎯 Objective

To equip candidates with strategies for effective Crew Resource Management (CRM) when paired with an unfamiliar pilot during simulator assessments—ensuring professionalism, safety, and smooth coordination.

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🧠 Why It Matters

In most airline or type rating assessments, you’ll be paired with another candidate—someone you’ve never flown with before.
The evaluator isn’t just watching how you fly, but also how you work as a crew: communicate, divide tasks, support each other, and recover from errors.

A great pilot who can’t cooperate isn’t a great hire.

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🧭 Key CRM Skills for Simulator Scenarios

CRM Skill	What It Looks Like in the Sim
Briefing	Agreeing on roles, callouts, and who will handle what
Communication	Clear, calm instructions; closed-loop confirmations
Leadership & Followership	Taking charge when PF, supporting when PM
Situational Awareness	Sharing what’s happening and what’s next
Decision-Making	Involving your partner when time allows
Workload Management	Delegating or asking for help proactively
Monitoring & Cross-Checking	Catching deviations without blaming

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🧩 Before the Sim: Connect and Plan

1. Introduce Yourself Clearly
   • Establish rapport: “Hi, I’m Alex, let’s do our best as a team.”
   • Don’t assume their level—ask, listen, and respect their input.
2. Set Expectations Together
   • Discuss: who will be PF first, what briefings you’ll use, and your SOP logic (Airbus-style vs Boeing-style).
   • Align on callouts and flows: “Let’s agree on when we call ‘Positive Rate’, who calls ‘Gear Up’, etc.”
3. Respect Personality Differences
   • They might be nervous, talkative, or very quiet. Adjust to match a balanced tone and encourage cooperation.

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✈️ During the Sim: Be a Good Teammate

Tip	Why It Helps
✅ Use standard phraseology	Builds clarity and trust
✅ Talk through intentions	“I’ll reduce speed now for the approach.”
✅ Offer support, not criticism	“Check speed?” vs “You’re too fast.”
✅ Stay calm under pressure	Panic spreads. Stay the stable one.
✅ Accept help graciously	It’s not a competition—collaboration scores points.

If your partner makes a mistake:

• Don’t freeze or override without warning.
• Say: “Let me help with radios” or “Would you like me to take control?”

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🧠 After the Sim: Reflect Together

• A quick debrief can reinforce teamwork:
  “Great job handling the engine failure—thanks for the callout timing.”

Even if it didn’t go perfectly, a positive tone leaves a good final impression on assessors.

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🚨 What to Avoid

• ❌ Blaming or correcting harshly
• ❌ Ignoring your PM or PF role
• ❌ Over-controlling everything
• ❌ Talking too much or not at all
• ❌ Making assumptions about SOPs or flows

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🎓 Student Activity (Optional)

Scenario Practice
Assign students to fly a simulator session with someone they’ve never worked with.
Beforehand, they must:

• Complete a joint briefing template
• Assign roles and define task-sharing
• Debrief each other constructively after

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