Page 17 - World Airnews Magazine December 2019 Edition

HUMAN ADVERTORIAL
FACTORS

HUMAN FACTORS - HSH AEROSPACE

STRESS MANAGEMENT FOCUSES ON AFRICA

interventions, during

aircraft stops.
ast month we looked at Decision SH Aerospace Finishes, in its The HSH labora-

LMaking Under Pressure. This month Hdevelopment programmes, has tory, in their office

we tackle Stress - the perception of a decided to pay particular attention to the in Brussels, has the
possibility in 48 hours

catastrophic outcome. SAA pilot and CRM African continent. create any requested

training manager and safety investigator HSH South Africa office, in addition to colour, according to
David Doull focuses on two areas - coping their diverse clientele from Brazil to Can- the sample provided
ada, including the Middle East, India and
with acute stress and chronic stress at the Japan, will be the starting point to better by the customer, and

level of the individual. service for potential African customers. send the final product

SCENARIO ONE – ACUTE STRESS Currently in the HSH African family are Egypt to its destination,
bearing in mind, in this
“I felt the nose of the Beech 1900 yaw as Air, Kenya Airways, RwandAir and the Airbus In- case, that the shipping
dustry Component in South Africa, it would like

I rotated. The left engine was changing to welcome other members wishing to make costs will be lower
pitch (the compressor was seizing). It was use of HSH Aerospace Finishes ECO-FRIENDLY than those incurred Aviation Africa on the African continent namely

summer in Kabul (Afghanistan), elevation products, following the world trend towards that fall within the classification of Dangerous Cairo, Nairobi, Kigali, Johannesburg and Cape

5800 feet, aircraft at max weight. The right Goods, HSH products are water-based and not Town reflecting the growing interest in this com-

hand engine was now at the torque power the respect of nature are welcome. classified as Dangerous. pany in the air transport sector of the continent.

limit, rudder against the stop and the Taking into account the growth of air HSH Aerospace Finishes offers its custom- What a better opportunity to offer aeronautical

speed just above red line. We just did not transport in Africa, according to industry ers in addition to its technical support and, operators to preserve an ever better appearance

climb. The gear came up when wallowing estimates, the maintenance of existing if necessary, a course held by its specialised of their aircraft interiors, to respect passengers

in ground effect and the roof top aerials fleets and support for new acquisitions, HSH technician, necessary for the knowledge and and provide them with a greater comfort?

were just below our wings. The terrain was AEROSPACE FINISHES is in a position to offer training of painter team. For more information contact Business

rising ahead, I thought that the only thing its technical support with low cost solutions, For the past couple of years an HSH repre- development manager sub-Saharan Africa
I could do was pick a street to crash into. I Weyers). Flexibility involves managing your an excellent performance and, last but not sentatives has been present at all the industry Mauro de Nicola Mobile: (27) 83 2674988

remember a pulsing feeling in my neck, my (e.g. Aviate, Navigate, Communicate, As- least, rapid drying, an advantage that cannot conferences organized by AfBAA, MRO Africa, and email mauro@hsh.be Q

right leg shaking against the rudder pedal sess, Action, Time evaluation). This will help perception and becoming an observer. be neglected specifically during in situ

and I heard my hyperventilating breathing. focus your attention on the right priorities, Change drives innovation and your prob-

lem-solving skills. It is our ability to adapt

It was a familiar feeling for an ex-paramedic goals and time awareness. If you feel your that makes us strong. Observing your own
- the feeling of your life being threatened. heart rate racing, focus on your breath- thoughts and feelings puts you in command.
ing. Take deep, slow breaths to keep your
“Something happened at that moment body in the optimum zone. Train yourself So redirect them; motivate and reach out

of recognition. I went from thinking this under stressful situations to get used to the to others, be accepting (show forgiveness)

was the end to, first, confidence that stress feeling and to build confidence. Over-learn towards yourself and ask “How have I played

makes me stronger and, second, rage at the what you will need to apply and practice a role?” It is important to make friends with

thought of my life being prematurely ended multi-tasking. The real world happens all your thoughts, understand them and decide

on contract, away from home, on a rela- at the same time and you need to learn to which ones you will keep or change.

tively low salary and in the war-torn, dust multi-task and shed less important things. Increasing stress tolerance involves three

bowl of Kabul. Perhaps if it had been the Lastly, try to be as mentally flexible as you main areas; lifestyle, mindfulness and

Maldives with good pay it would’ve been can; go with the flow and adapt to reality

different. I flew that B190 out of danger (‘Safety at the Sharp End’ by Flin, O’Connor changing automatic thoughts. Sleep lots, eat
with a toddler tantrum. It was an involun- & Crichton). healthy, don’t smoke, take alcohol in mod-
eration and do 20 mins of exercise per day.

tary re-action. My brain became self-cen- Make time for your mind, allow thoughts to

tred, aggressive and hyper-vigilant. I did SCENARIO 2 - CHRONIC STRESS pass through and be solution focused. Spend

what I had to do (stuck to priorities). I gave “It was a sunny afternoon at Johannesburg

myself targets to achieve such as “just get when I woke up with a helluva fright. We 10 mins a day clearing your mind. When
100 fpm climb” or “just get past that hill” were downwind on an instrument arrival. we say or think words like “should, must,
always, never” or phrases like “I’m hopeless;
(goal-directed). I thought about what was I turned to the pilot flying and said, please nothing ever changes; this always happens

about to happen (anticipation of time).” watch me I’ve just fallen asleep for the to me” these are automatic thoughts.

Each goal achieved, no matter how small, third time since top of descent”. After the Change them to functional thoughts, for

I told myself I was dealing with it. I was flight, at a quiet moment, I thought to example: a near collision (translates to you

fighting my way out. As part of anticipating, myself “David, what are you doing being at as “You stupid idiot”) becomes “Nobody is

I constantly made a plan B. I chose a new work like this?” Then I thought about the perfect, we’re lucky.” Force your thoughts
crash site every few seconds and I thought denial; finances, family member recently into accepting what you can’t change and

about what I would do if the other engine diagnosed with cancer, studying, extra changing what you can.
failed. But I stuck to plan A and it worked; work, a full roster, small kids at home, not Lastly optimism involves three aspects;

an unstoppable cycle of priorities, goals enough time with my wife, struggling with manage your expectations, persistence and

and time built into forward thinking of sleep, the list went on. We all have a list,

what is about to happen. sometimes it’s not the length that counts, trust. Expect setbacks, they’re temporary.

Failure is okay, quitting is not. Open up

If acute stress is new to you then you it’s what is on the list. communication with people to develop

must learn to tame panic; redirect it, Chronic stress has three core skill sets, trust. The more meaningful the connection

recognise that your body is rising to the Flexibility, Tolerance and Optimism (Emo- you have with a person, the luckier you will

challenge and apply a recipe that works tional Intelligence by Prins, van Niekerk & feel to be alive. Q

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