What is a professional? A professional is defined as conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession. A professional follows a line of conduct as though it was a profession. In other words, doing the right thing at all times. What is an aviation professional? An aviation professional consistently exceeds minimum standards with attention to detail, diligence and discipline. 

Safety in aviation requires us to all be professional in our flight activities. This does not distinguish between flying a helicopter, an airplane, or an uncrewed aerial system (UAS). It does not distinguish the role as pilot, technician, or non-flying crew. It simply states that we should exhibit courteous, conscientious, and ethical behavior in our decisions and actions. Being professional does not reflect on a level of knowledge or experience, but rather the manner in which tasks are addressed and completed.

It should always be stressed that a pilot is a ‘professional’ aviator and a technician is a ‘professional’ maintenance technician. The final responsibility and authority for safe operation or maintenance of the aircraft rests there. The same is true for professional tactical flight officers, search and rescue personnel and other non-flying crew. They have the responsibility to be accurate and accountable in their specific roles.

Training techniques

Professionalism in aviation is best taught from the very beginning of training. Professional behavior is more easily learned if the instructor is a good role model. During training, personnel should learn to take the responsibility seriously. First and foremost pilots, crew, and technicians should make safety the highest priority. They should seek excellence in airmanship or workmanship and exercise good judgment. They should use sound principles of risk management to recognize and manage risks effectively, maintain situational awareness, and adhere to prudent operating practices. Personal operating minimums should be realistically identified. Professionals should act with responsibility and courtesy, and adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and industry guidance.

Sometimes that means postponing, changing or cancelling flights when the pilot believes existing or impending conditions make them unsafe. This can often be inconvenient or unpopular, but it is the right or ‘professional’ thing to do

Items of pilot responsibility include, but are not limited to, the safety of aircraft, occupants and cargo. Sometimes that means postponing, changing or cancelling flights when the pilot believes existing or impending conditions make them unsafe. This can often be inconvenient or unpopular, but it is the right or ‘professional’ thing to do. A professional will also comply with regulations and procedures when in the pilot’s judgment compliance will not violate any safe practices or endanger the aircraft, or occupants. 

The flight crew’s professional responsibility is to perform their tasks with vigilance and situational awareness. Effective communication is critical to the success of the mission. Maintenance responsibility is to professionally maintain the aircraft within the airworthiness standards, ensuring all systems are up to date and functioning correctly. UAS pilot and observer have the professional responsibility to operate the drone safely within the regulatory requirements and the awareness of other aircraft in the airspace. Again, effective communication and situational awareness are crucial to mitigating risk.

New people making old mistakes

A professional will take the time to become familiar with the area of operation and any special hazards. In some cases this may mean reviewing the plan of operation with other personnel. So why is this so important? It goes back to the quote “There are no new causes of accidents, just new people making the same old mistakes”. Most mistakes are reflected in accident reports as human error. The mistakes can be identified as not following a procedure, not using a checklist, or non-standard communication. The pilot actions may have included pushing minimums or disregarding weather forecasts. All this comes back to being professional, which may not be comfortable, convenient or popular but is the right and in turn the safest thing to do.

There are no new causes of accidents, just new people making the same old mistakes

Recently, a low-time pilot had an opportunity to fly a new high-tech aircraft for a new job. The pilot had trained in a different aircraft and had less than 25 hours in type. The pilot and crew made the decision to fly the aircraft at night despite low visibility and forecasted freezing rain, which was evident at the time of departure. The aircraft crashed within 10 minutes of departing. Three lives were lost.

This is not a new scenario. There are numerous instances of pilots trying to outrun the weather or ignore items on pre-flight walkaround or checklist in order to expedite their departure to meet mission requirements. These inappropriate actions are often habitual. The more a person can get away with taking short cuts, the easier it is to continue the practice until the inevitable happens. These habits, combined with a lack of experience, are extremely high-risk actions and definitely not professional. Any accident that is reviewed where decision-making or situational awareness was a contributing factor can be linked back to a lack of professionalism somewhere in the equation.

No shortcut to safety

Standard procedures should be continued in all circumstances unless they interfere with safe operations

Training personnel in the core values of professionalism at the beginning of their training is ideal and it should continue throughout all the training events in their aviation career. Every training event should consider the standard procedures without shortcuts. I often saw pilots in training asking about shortcuts in the simulator. They may want to skip the startup and just go straight to the maneuvers, or not use a checklist because they want to see if they remember. That takes the professionalism out of training. Standard procedures should be continued in all circumstances unless they interfere with safe operations. It is the frequent lack of professionalism that leads to unsafe situations. It is the repetition of good practices that leads to long-term professionalism. Professionalism can be taught. It is the result of integrity in training, where accountability is the long-term result. Professionalism practiced on a regular basis is a cornerstone of safe operations.