This lesson is developed specifically for modern flight deck operations, where pilots are required to monitor highly automated systems and intervene at the right moment. With a clear focus on Pilot Flying and Pilot Monitoring roles, the session explores why monitoring is difficult, how awareness is lost, and how effective intervention can be achieved in real operational situations.
Designed for Crew Resource Management (CRM) and human factors training in aviation.
+ Main topic: Automation, monitoring and intervention
+ Related topics: Human performance and limitations; co-operation; effective communication; and coordination between all crew members
+ Training length: 40 – 45 minutes
+ Included: Intervention case study (for flight deck crew), automation questionnaire, lesson plan with instructor notes, PowerPoint slides, extra notes for the trainer
+ Access: Instant download after payment
+ File formats: Pdf and PowerPoint
Secure payment
Instant access
Intuitive design
CORE ELEMENTS
The automation, monitoring and intervention lesson plan is built around experiential learning and structured discussion. As a trainer, you guide participants through practical exercises that reveal how humans interact with automated systems – and where that interaction often breaks down. Participants work with concrete intervention scenarios and different levels of verbal intervention to practise wording, timing, and assertiveness. Facilitated discussion helps link monitoring, intervention, authority, and emotional response, showing why speaking up can feel difficult and what supports effective intervention in practice.
INCLUDED
A fully structured session with clear trainer guidance, supported by trainer notes, slide references, and student handouts. The material includes the lesson plan with trainer notes, practical monitoring demonstrations, intervention scenarios, suggestions for relevant external video clips, PowerPoint slides, and a student handout. The material is designed to be easy to use and adaptable, allowing you to deliver the session with confidence.
LENGTH
Designed to be flexible and suitable as a stand-alone session or as part of a longer CRM or Human Factors programme. The lesson can be adjusted to allow more or less time for discussion, exercises, and reflection. When delivered as a stand-alone session, the lesson typically takes approximately 40–45 minutes.
The Automation, Monitoring and Intervention Lesson Plan is designed as a practical facilitation tool for modern flight deck operations. It makes the challenges of monitoring automated systems visible, with a focus on the Pilot Monitoring role, vigilance, and timely intervention.
The lesson centres on how pilots work with automation in practice – including loss of awareness, delayed intervention, authority dynamics, and the difficulty of speaking up under time pressure. Through aviation-based scenarios, participants explore how monitoring breaks down and how intervention can be made clearer, earlier, and more effective.
Developed by trainers for trainers, the lesson provides a structured and realistic way to address automation. While firmly rooted in aviation, the underlying human factors principles may also resonate in other safety-critical domains.
We have gathered the most frequently asked questions from our customers to help you in the best way possible
This automation, monitoring and intervention lesson plan is primarily designed for CRM and Human Factors trainers working in aviation, particularly those teaching modern flight deck operations, automation use, and Pilot Flying / Pilot Monitoring roles.
The purpose of the lesson is to explore the human challenges of monitoring automated systems in aviation and to develop practical understanding of when and how pilots should intervene when automation no longer matches expectations.
Basic familiarity with aviation operations is helpful. The lesson is fully supported by trainer notes and clearly explained scenarios.
No specialist equipment is required beyond standard classroom facilities, including a projector or TV and a flip chart or whiteboard.
The lesson plan is specifically developed for aviation. While you can transfer the learning to other safety-critical environments such as healthcare and process industries, it works best for aviation related training.
Participants gain insight into why monitoring automation is difficult, increased awareness of automation-related risks, and practical experience with intervention strategies and language relevant to real flight deck situations.
