POOR COMMUNICATION SKILLS MEANS HIGH RISK FOR AVIATION SAFETY

Abstract

This article analyses different types of communication in the aviation environment. The research has a qualitative approach underlined by a documentary analysis of the reports issued by National Aviation Agencies. In the aviation field, communication is a complex system which consists in verbal, non-verbal, written, spoken and also the automatic communication. Communication can be a crucial factor to manage critical situations. According to the results, the lack of communication skills among all those individuals involved in the air operations contribute to the critical failures ocurred in most of the aviation accidents and incidents. Conclusions pointed out that: each set of aviation activities requires well-trained people in communication skills besides technical capacity; professionals should be put together as a task force team to work towards aviation safety; it is emergencial to implement Communication Skills Training; professionals trained in communication skills have better conditions to detect threats and communicate the need for support to manage risks and to implement actions as required by the philosophy of the Safety Management System.