FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Human Factors and CRMHard
A first officer notices the captain has set an excessive descent rate approaching minimums in low visibility. Using a structured assertive communication technique taught in CRM, she states: "I see our rate of descent is 1,800 feet per minute passing through 800 feet. I'm concerned we may not be stabilized by minimums. I recommend we level off and reassess." She then waits for the captain's explicit acknowledgment before continuing. This structured technique of stating an observation, expressing concern, offering a recommendation, and obtaining a response is known as:
- AThe DECIDE model
- BAdvocacy and inquiry (assertive communication)
- CClosed-loop communication
- DSterile cockpit procedure
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Advocacy and inquiry (assertive communication)
Advocacy and inquiry (often taught as a structured assertiveness technique, e.g., 'state the observation, state your concern, offer a solution, obtain agreement') is designed to help junior crew members assertively raise safety concerns while inviting a response from the other pilot. This differs from closed-loop communication, which is simply the readback/confirmation of a specific instruction.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The DECIDE model is a six-step decision-making framework, not a communication assertiveness technique.
- C. Closed-loop communication is the readback-and-confirm process for a specific instruction, not a structured advocacy technique.
- D. Sterile cockpit procedure restricts non-essential communication below 10,000 feet, unrelated to this assertiveness technique.
Advocacy and Inquiry
A structured assertive communication technique in which a crew member states an observation, expresses concern, offers a recommendation, and seeks explicit acknowledgment to resolve a potential safety issue.
- Helps overcome authority gradient barriers to speaking up
- Follows a structured escalation pattern if initial concern is not addressed
- A core CRM skill for junior crew members raising safety concerns
Memory trick: Observe, worry, suggest, confirm—speak up before it's too late.