How debriefs build better pilots

Not taking a few minutes for a structured debrief is a missed opportunity, because this is where the real learning happens. Too often in general aviation, this critical part of flight training is rushed, informal, or skipped altogether. In combat aviation, we learned a long time ago that a structured debrief is the single most effective way to accelerate learning and improve performance. For GA, this translates into more efficient use of avgas, more proficient pilots, and a safer operating environment.

Drawing from my experience as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and instructor, aviation safety officer, airline pilot, and human factors professor, I developed a simple, adaptable, and repeatable flight instructor debrief guide that blends the precision required for combat aviation, FAA best practices, and the science of human performance.

Designed for CFIs at all levels, this debrief guide works for instruction in FAR Part 61 operations, Part 141 flight schools, and other aviation training environments.

Step 1: Set the tone (the psychology of safety culture)

If the first words out of your mouth sound like a critique, you've already lost your audience. Debriefs can only achieve their potential in an environment where honesty and learning are more important than ego or blame. To do that, you must set a tone of accountability—including for yourself—that breeds open and honest communication.

The instructor leads and facilitates, but the student should be actively engaged. "How do you think it went?" "Here's how I could have been a better instructor for you today…" "What's something you think you, as the student, and I, as the instructor, could have done better?"

Reinforce that the debrief is part of the job of being a good pilot. The goal is performance improvement, not individual blame.

Step 2: Execution review (truth over assumptions)

Every sortie should have clearly defined objectives. "What were our clearly defined objectives for today and did we meet them?"

Review the data: What actually happened? Altitudes, airspeeds, inputs, aircraft behavior, and so on. No assumptions.

Discuss each phase of the flight:

• Preflight inspection and briefing.
• Taxi and takeoff.
• En route and navigation.
• Maneuvers and procedures.
• Approach and landing.
• Postflight and shutdown.

Identify your debrief focus points—critical events to analyze. This is especially important when you have limited time to debrief: Focus your limited time on the most important two or three areas.

Step 3: Analysis (root cause using human factors)

This is where the magic happens. For each debrief focus point, ask "Why?" Keep asking until you uncover the earliest contributing factor, which is the root cause.

For maneuvers or tasks, a valuable technique is the "Perception-Decision-Execution" model. Asking open-ended questions is critical here, and an art of good instruction.

• Perception: Did the student miss or misinterpret an instruction, technique, or procedure?
• Decision making: Was the wrong rule or judgment applied?
• Execution: Was it a skill issue or a checklist miss?

What human factors were involved and contributed to the results: tunnel vision, distractions, complacency, fatigue, task saturation, and so on?

Step 4: Learning and action (what will we do differently?)

Finish the debrief and leave the student with some solid lessons learned and action items.

• What lessons did we learn today?
• Recap items the student did well on (critical to reinforce confidence and motivation).
• One action commitment on the part of the instructor (to reinforce accountability and learning).
• One action commitment on the part of the student.
• The goals and three items to work on for the next flight.

The SEAL framework (for quick reference)

If you're short on time, the SEAL acronym keeps you on track:

• Set the tone: "What could I have done better today?"
• Execution: Review/reconstruct what actually happened.
• Analysis: Why did that happen? Human factors? (Perception-Decision-Execution.)
• Learning: What did we learn? At least three action items for the next flight.

Why this works in GA

This debrief model provides a disciplined and invaluable way to debrief a flight. Short on time? No problem—modify as needed to hit the most important parts and focus your time and attention where you think the student needs the most help.

Since flight instruction started, the debrief has had a place, whether formal or informal. In modern instruction, most CFIs know that an effective debrief is crucial to help students learn. What most are not taught, though, is how to do this effectively.

This debrief framework is a small piece of an overall learning culture that will help make training more efficient and effective.