Managing Interruptions and Distractions
Because some interruptions and distractions may be subtle and insidious, the first priority is to recognize and identify the disruption.
The second priority is to re-establish situational awareness, as follows:
.  
Identify :

.  What was I doing?

.  
Ask :

.  Where was I interrupted?

.  
Decide/Act :

.  What decision or action shall I take to get “back on track” ?

The following decision-making-process should be applied:
.  Prioritize :
Operations Golden Rules provide clear guidelines for task prioritization :
Fly, Navigate, Communicate and Manage, in that order.

.  Plan :
Some actions may have to be postponed until time and conditions permit. Asking for more time
(e.g. from the ATC or from the other crewmember) will prevent being rushed in the accomplishment of competing actions.
In other words, take time to make time.

.  Verify :
Using SOPs techniques (i.e., concept of next target, action blocks, event triggers and normal checklists), ensure that the action(s) that had been postponed have been duly accomplished.

Finally, if the disruption interrupt the course of a normal checklist or abnormal checklist, an explicit hold should be verbalized to mark the interruption of the checklist and an explicit command should be used for resuming the checklist.
Summary of key points
Interruptions and distractions usually result from the following factors:
.  
Pilot / controller or intra-cockpit communications (i.e., including flight crew / cabin crew communications);

.  
Head-down work; or,

.  
Responding to an abnormal condition or an unanticipated situation.

Prevention strategies and lines-of-defense should be developed to minimize interruptions and distractions and to lessen their effects.
Strict adherence to the following standards is the most effective company prevention strategy and personal line-of-defense:
.  
SOPs;

.  
Operations Golden Rules;

.  
Standard calls;

.  
Sterile cockpit rule (as applicable); and,

.  
Recovery techniques such as: . Identify – ask – decide – act; and, . Prioritize – plan – verify.

Associated Briefing Notes
The following Briefing Notes provide expanded information to supplement this discussion:
.  
1.3 - Operations Golden Rules,

.  
1.4 – Standard Calls,

.  
1.5 - Use of Normal Checklists,

.  
2.1 - Human Factors in Approach-and-        Landing Accidents,

.  
2.2 - CRM Issues in Approach-and-landing       Accidents,

.  
2.3 - Effective Crew/ATC Communications.

Intra-Cockpit Communications – Managing Interruptions and Distractions in Cockpit
Page 5

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