Calm in Command: Strengthening Competencies, Cultivating Wellbeing
Calm in Command is a structured program designed to develop pilot competencies through Mindfulness.
About the Program
The aviation industry demands more than technical skills from pilots; it requires mastery of non-technical competencies to ensure safety, efficiency, and effective decision-making in the flight deck. Calm in Command, a Mindfulness-Informed Pilot Competency Development Program, addresses this need by combining mindfulness training with core pilot competency development. This program equips cadet pilots with the skills to navigate high-pressure situations with clarity, composure, and confidence.
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Mindfulness training has been shown to significantly enhance several of the nine pilot competencies established jointly by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA), and adopted by many aviation authorities, including the European Authority for Aviation Safety (EASA). It is supported by a growing body of empirical evidence. For communication, studies indicate that mindfulness improves present-moment awareness and active listening, essential for precise information exchange between pilots, crew, and air traffic control. Research on mindfulness-based interventions highlights its role in fostering emotional regulation, enabling individuals to respond effectively under high-pressure conditions, thereby reducing errors and miscommunication.
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In the domains of problem-solving and decision-making, mindfulness is associated with increased cognitive flexibility and reduced impulsivity. By enhancing metacognitive awareness, mindfulness creates the mental space necessary for thorough situation assessment and deliberate decision-making. Evidence suggests that mindfulness strengthens executive functions, such as working memory and attentional control, which are critical for effective judgment in complex and high-stakes scenarios.
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For situational awareness, mindfulness enhances the ability to focus on multiple stimuli simultaneously while minimizing distractions. Research demonstrates that mindfulness-based practices improve attentional control and situational monitoring, which are vital for accurately processing real-time information in dynamic environment. Mindfulness training has also been linked to improved sustained attention and reduced attentional lapses, key factors in maintaining awareness of the flight environment and anticipating potential risks. These findings highlight the utility of mindfulness training in fostering the non-technical competencies crucial for aviation safety and efficiency.
With a structured approach, Calm in Command lays the foundation for pilots to develop critical non-technical competencies such as:
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Situational Awareness
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Communication
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Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
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Flight Path Management
Program Structure
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5 Weeks of Mindfulness Training: Focuses on enhancing awareness, attention and response-ability, both essential for effective decision-making and maintaining composure in dynamic environments. The mindfulness component also prioritizes the mental wellbeing of cadet pilots, ensuring they can manage stress and stay resilient throughout their training and career.
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10 Weeks of Pilot Core Competency Development: Building on the mindfulness foundation, this segment starts with Situation Awareness, which directly impacts the remaining non-technical competencies:
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Communication
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Leadership and Teamwork
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Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
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Workload Management
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Each session runs for 2 hours, providing cadet pilots with a balance of theoretical learning, practical exercises, and reflective discussions to embed these essential skills.
Why Mindfulness Matters for Pilots
In the high-stakes environment of aviation, situation awareness is the cornerstone of effective decision-making, safety, and successful flight operations. Yet, most flight schools focus primarily on technical skills, leaving cadet pilots without a structured developmental pathway for non-technical competencies such as situation awareness.
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Poor situation awareness in the flight deck can have severe consequences, including miscommunication, delayed decision-making, and compromised safety. Mindfulness practices enhance self-awareness, allowing pilots to better manage their emotions, recognize subtle environmental cues, and stay present in rapidly evolving scenarios. By developing self-awareness, pilots naturally enhance situation awareness, which in turn strengthens their ability to manage workload, solve problems, make decisions, and lead effectively.
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With Evidence-Based Training (EBT) now focusing on pilots' core competencies in the airlines, Calm in Command is a must for cadet pilots looking to excel in their assessments and future careers in the airlines. This program not only prepares cadet pilots for EBT assessments but also sets them up for a successful and mentally resilient aviation career.
Results After Attending Calm in Command​
By completing this program, cadet pilots will:
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Develop self-awareness to better manage emotions, focus, and mental wellbeing
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Enhance situation awareness, enabling them to identify and respond to evolving situations in real-time
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Improve communication skills, leading to clearer and more effective interactions in the flight deck
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Build leadership and teamwork capabilities for smoother crew coordination
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Strengthen problem-solving and decision-making skills under high-pressure conditions
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Master workload management techniques to maintain composure during complex flight operations
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Gain a competitive edge in Evidence-Based Training assessments required by airlines
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Cultivate mental resilience and wellbeing to thrive throughout their aviation careers
Calm in Command is jointly developed by:
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Dr. Kathirasan K, Founder CEO, Centre for Mindfulness. Kathir is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher - Professional (CMT-P) and a Board Member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA). With more than two decades of dedicated mindfulness practice, Kathir is globally renowned as a scholar-practitioner and the author of several acclaimed books and research papers on mindfulness.
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Albert Tiong, Managing Director, Centre for Mindfulness. Albert is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher – Professional (CMT-P) and has served as Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor for a number of flight schools in the region. He is also a Crew Resource Management (CRM) Instructor.
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Capt. Cyrano Latiff, Mindfulness Connector, Centre for Mindfulness. Cyrano is a Singaporean aviation professional who is actively involved in aviation education, training & development within the aviation domains and beyond. He speaks as an advocate of human approaches to safety & wellbeing, corporate crisis & consequence management, personal, professional & career development.
Be the Pilot in Command of Your Future. Join Calm in Command and become a pilot who excels not just in technical proficiency but also in the core competencies that airlines value most. Equip your pilots with the tools to stay calm, focused, and effective in the most demanding situations.
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Contact us at admin@centreformindfulness.sg today!