Aircraft Command Techniques - Book Review

A captain must be able not only to fly the aircraft, but also to manage it, manage the crew, and above all, manage his or her resources. In a number of air carriers there may be less than adequate additional training conducted, when upgrading pilots to the very responsible position of captain. However three things that do not change are the authority, challenges, and responsibilities of being captain. They are as constant today as they will be in the years ahead.

So begins the back cover for Aircraft Command Techniques: Gaining Leadership Skills To Fly The Left Seat by Sal J. Fallucco. And how right he is.

If you’re looking for a book that gives you all the answers, in clear cut black and white, as to what is required to be a Captain, then you shouldn’t even be doing your Command Upgrade, much less than reading this book – because that is just not how the real world as a Captain works. Instead Aircraft Command Techniques gives you valuable general guidance for you to incorporate into your previous experience to help mould you as a Captain and a Leader.

Each chapter finishes with a detailed scenario for you to consider as the Captain. Again, just like real life, Captain Fallucco doesn’t give you an answer to the scenario, but poses a number of considerations as food for thought. There are usually several right answers for each problem you face and depending on your Leadership style, previous experience and the situation, individual Captains will resolve it differently.

I found the book easy to read and found a number of techniques to add to my armoury of Command “weapons”.

There are also some very valuable snippets of information that are worthwhile to store away in the back of your mind. The best one I came across was “Plus Three, Minus Eight”. 70-75% of all accidents occur in the Takeoff and initial Climb (Plus Three minutes after commencing your takeoff roll) and the Approach and Landing phases of flight (Minus Eight minutes before rollout on landing). This is when you need to be wary.

The chapters are divided into sensibly chosen subjects and can easily be read one chapter at a time, with suitable reflection about the scenario presented at the end of the chapter (just don’t cheat and read the considerations first!). The chapters are;

1. Examining the Role of Captain


2. Reflecting on Your Career


3. Characteristics of Effective Leaders


4. Developing Judgement and Decision Skills


5. Grasping Responsibilities


6. Managing Your Resources


7. Learning How to Communicate


8. Guarding Against Human Error


9. Avoiding the Unexpected


10. Just Say No!


11. Careers Within a Career


12. Handling Emergencies


13. Training Your Replacement

There should be no surprises in any of the material presented. Some of it is plain common sense CRM and TEM stuff. It does however force you think about the various items discussed and if you approach the scenarios in a disciplined way, you can get a lot out of the book, especially if you discuss them with another peer.

For the less experienced, a very useful and valuable book. For the more experienced, a very good refresher on the essential qualities that are required to be a Captain of todays’ modern airliner. Great for re-reading and reminding yourself every so often what Command is all about.

Much of the information in Aircraft Command Techniques is exactly what this blog is all about. A very worthwhile addition to your Airline Command library.