This is what trust looks like. This is what a high-functioning team looks like.
The relationship between a pilot and their crew chiefs is a unique one. On the Thunderbirds, this is true more than any other unit I've been a part of.
In other squadrons, it is the pilot's responsibility to do a walk-around when they reach the aircraft. They take their safety into their own hands by checking several critical components on the aircraft's exterior. Once in the cockpit, the pilot reviews every switch to ensure they are in the correct position to start the jet safely.
On the team, each pilot has two crew chiefs that stay with them the entire show season. This consistency builds a strong bond and the high level of trust necessary in this environment.
What makes this trust critical is how Thunderbird operations differ from other units. In front of a crowd, the pilots execute a show launch. They march up to the aircraft, salute their crew chiefs, and climb the ladder into the cockpit... without checking anything. Once in the cockpit, they look straight ahead throughout the entire launch... never turning their heads to check the switches.
The two crew chiefs are responsible for items that have a direct impact on the pilot's ability to safely start the aircraft and fly the show. The attention to detail they have is incredible. The two ladies in this photo knew exactly how to arrange every item in the cockpit. This went as far as routing my earplugs in a very specific way so the cord didn't hang in front of my face while inverted. As far as placing my kneeboard and GoPro in the exact same spot every time so I could reach back and find them without looking. As far as loosening the lap belt and straps enough so I could get into them, but not so much time was wasted pulling in all the slack.
I flew hundreds of flights as part of the team in this photo. Not once did I worry about if things were done correctly. We had a common goal. We had accountability. We understood how we each contributed to the mission. We felt valued.
= extreme trust ✨
= high performance 🚀
#trust #teamwork #highperformance #teamdynamics
Jessica E. Kristyne Pierson
The relationship between a pilot and their crew chiefs is a unique one. On the Thunderbirds, this is true more than any other unit I've been a part of.
In other squadrons, it is the pilot's responsibility to do a walk-around when they reach the aircraft. They take their safety into their own hands by checking several critical components on the aircraft's exterior. Once in the cockpit, the pilot reviews every switch to ensure they are in the correct position to start the jet safely.
On the team, each pilot has two crew chiefs that stay with them the entire show season. This consistency builds a strong bond and the high level of trust necessary in this environment.
What makes this trust critical is how Thunderbird operations differ from other units. In front of a crowd, the pilots execute a show launch. They march up to the aircraft, salute their crew chiefs, and climb the ladder into the cockpit... without checking anything. Once in the cockpit, they look straight ahead throughout the entire launch... never turning their heads to check the switches.
The two crew chiefs are responsible for items that have a direct impact on the pilot's ability to safely start the aircraft and fly the show. The attention to detail they have is incredible. The two ladies in this photo knew exactly how to arrange every item in the cockpit. This went as far as routing my earplugs in a very specific way so the cord didn't hang in front of my face while inverted. As far as placing my kneeboard and GoPro in the exact same spot every time so I could reach back and find them without looking. As far as loosening the lap belt and straps enough so I could get into them, but not so much time was wasted pulling in all the slack.
I flew hundreds of flights as part of the team in this photo. Not once did I worry about if things were done correctly. We had a common goal. We had accountability. We understood how we each contributed to the mission. We felt valued.
= extreme trust ✨
= high performance 🚀
#trust #teamwork #highperformance #teamdynamics
Jessica E. Kristyne Pierson