Easy as ABC: A Mnemonic Procedure for Managing Startle and Surprise

Background. Mnemonic procedures are currently being taught to airline pilots to manage startle and surprise. We previously tested the effectiveness of a four-item mnemonic. Pilots generally rated it as useful but some remarked that it induced too much additional workload. Therefore, we tested whether a simpler mnemonic, Aviate-Breathe-Check, would be more useful. Method. The experiment took place in a hexapod simulator with a Piper Seneca aerodynamic model and a generic cockpit. Airline pilots (n = 25) were divided into an experimental (“ABC”) and control group. All received ground training on startle and surprise, which included instructions on the ABC mnemonic for the ABC group. The mnemonic aims to support prioritization of flight-path management (Aviate), followed by physiological and mental stress management (Breathe), followed by troubleshooting (Check). All pilots performed four familiarization scenarios, during which the ABC group practiced the ABC mnemonic. Two test scenarios were then performed to evaluate performance, mental effort, stress, and pilot evaluations of the ABC mnemonic. Results. The pilots’ evaluations of the ABC mnemonic were significantly higher than those were for the previously-tested mnemonic in the same scenarios. There were no significant differences between the ABC and control group in mental effort and stress, whereas there were trends towards higher mental effort and stress with the previous mnemonic. No significant effects on performance were found. Conclusions. The results suggest that the ABC mnemonic was more useful and easier to apply than a previously tested mnemonic. This is promising for the development of effective pilot training interventions for startle and surprise.