CRM with Randy Mains

By WG#2341 Andrea McGilvray

I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to dive into the Crew Resource Management (CRM) Instructor Manual, generously provided as a scholarship by Oregon Aero. As a new instructor in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, this resource has equipped me with valuable tools to help students understand the critical role of CRM. During the training, we spent two intense, insightful days with Randy Mains. It was very educational and also a fantastic experience connecting with the other women in attendance.

The Error Chain Card and the "Green to Red" Assessing Risk Cards are perfect quick-reference tools to gauge a situation’s readiness for flight — a practical approach for assessing go/no-go decisions. The accompanying slides, videos, and handouts offer diverse strategies to tailor instruction to specific circumstances.

Recently, a student put me to the test. I walked him through the Error Chain Card and demonstrated why proceeding wasn’t safe, helping him understand the "why" behind the decision. In the coming months, I’ll be leading ground classes focused on helicopters, fixed-wing upset/spin recovery, and basic aerobatics in the decathlon for those eager to explore the boundaries of fixed-wing flight. I plan to incorporate the CRM principles shared by Oregon Aero to keep safety at the forefront of all training.

As a side note, pictured with me is Cadence Bomgardner, a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) who, at just 19, has also earned her A&P license. I was thrilled to give her the opportunity to fly the decathlon at our local contest.  She won 1st place in primary.

An update on my training: I now hold my CFI for both fixed-wing and helicopter, though I haven’t had much helicopter flying time lately. I’ve applied for several scholarships, especially those focused on the maintenance side. This year, I earned my IA, so now I have my A&P IA certificate. I’d like to find a pathway into more helicopter flying through maintenance. With limited flying hours available, I’m excited to focus on instructing for the time being. I already have a few prospective clients who own their own helicopters, which could be a great fit. I’m excited to see how it goes!