Definition
The deliberate use of all available people, information, and equipment in the aircraft to manage workload, maintain situational awareness, and make sound decisions, especially during high-stress events such as inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions. It includes clear task assignment, open communication, cross-checking of actions, and use of every resource on board to support safe flight.
Plain English
Using everyone and everything in the cockpit as a team — sharing tasks, talking openly, and checking each other's work — so the workload is handled and good decisions get made.
Context Anchor
Seen in emergency and instrument-procedure guidance, especially when a pilot unexpectedly loses outside visual references and must use help from other people and equipment.
Derivation
Grew out of the broader concept of Crew Resource Management (CRM), which the airline industry developed in the late 1970s after accident investigations showed that many crashes were caused not by lack of skill but by poor teamwork, communication, and use of available information. The phrasing 'crewmember' emphasises that every person on board with a role — not just the pilot in command — is a resource to be used.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents single-pilot overload and reduces errors when visibility suddenly drops and quick, accurate decisions are required.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as simply “managing the crew.” In aviation, the resources include people, instruments, checklists, radios, outside help, information, and time.
Example Sentence 1
After entering unexpected cloud, the pilot applied crewmember resource management by handing the chart to the right-seat passenger, asking ATC for vectors, and engaging the autopilot to reduce workload.
Example Sentence 2
Strong crewmember resource management allowed the flight crew to divide tasks quickly and maintain control after entering inadvertent IMC.