Airmanship

Ethnography of Aviation Safety
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-041-21165-5
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 184 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm

This book takes readers beyond the technical capabilities of aviation to explore the human experience of flight. This book examines the culture, mindset, and teamwork that define airmanship, offering a glimpse into the lives of pilots, flight attendants, and crew members who navigate the skies. Through years of immersive fieldwork, the author captures the human essence of what it means to fly though looking at it not just as a mechanical act, but as an endeavor shaped by judgment, communication, and trust.

This title offers a compelling exploration of the people, practices, and philosophies that make aviation possible. Drawing on over 1,200 hours of jump seat observations, interviews with hundreds of pilots, and firsthand experiences in high-performance environments, this book reveals the rules of the cockpit and the quiet professionalism is needed for those in the field of aviation. It explores how pilots interpret the sky, their aircraft, and themselves, balancing risk with precision and teamwork. It highlights the vital role of flight attendants, showcasing their unique challenges in maintaining safety and service while navigating human interactions. Through interesting stories and detailed analysis, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the human dimensions of aviation, with insights that enhance professional practice and personal appreciation for the craft.

Airmanship: Ethnography of Aviation Safety is ideal for human factors specialists, pilots, aviation students, safety professionals, and anyone curious about the world behind the cockpit door.

Zielgruppe

Professional Reference

Autoren/Hrsg.

Nergard, Vegard

Nergård, Vegard

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Technik Allgemein Technische Zuverlässigkeit, Sicherheitstechnik
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Betriebswirtschaft Unternehmensorganisation, Corporate Responsibility Unternehmenskultur, Corporate Governance
• Technische Wissenschaften Verkehrstechnik | Transportgewerbe Luft- und Raumfahrttechnik, Luftverkehr

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Preparing the flight 2. Cabin attendants. 3. Acting at the flight deck (a regular flight). 4. Flight safety. 5. Creating safety. 6. Communication and flying skills. 7. Beyond communication. 8. Airmanship. 9. Aviation education. 10. Man and machine - concluding remarks on the ethnography of practise.

Über Autor(innen)

Vegard Nergård is a Professor of Aviation at UiT The Arctic University of Norway and serves as an Institute Associate at the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI), University of Cambridge, UK. With over 16 years of experience in aviation education, he established UiT's Master's program in Aviation, which launched in August 2015. Dr. Nergård's research focuses on airmanship, aviation safety, and pilot training methodologies, particularly in Arctic environments. As Project Manager for UiT's aviation studies, he has helped develop the university's aviation program, which graduates approximately 24 students annually with Bachelor's degrees in aviation and CPL certificates and his interdisciplinary approach bridges practical aviation knowledge with academic research.