A “critical incident” is any event that has a stressful impact sufficient enough to overwhelm the usually effective coping skills of either an individual or a group. Almost all pilot groups have adopted CIRP, which is credited with helping many pilots return to the cockpit after an accident or incident and has been adopted by SFTE and SETP for our test flying operations. CIRP uses trained FTEs,  pilots, and spouses to assist in lessening the stress reactions on FTEs, pilots, accident investigators, and their families following an accident or incident. Engineers, pilots, and family peer support volunteers are trained in structured defusing and debriefing techniques that help members and their families more effectively deal with their normal reactions to an abnormal event. This time-critical, peer-based support accelerates recovery from those events before harmful stress reactions damage job performance, careers, families, personal life, and health. CIRP is beneficial not just for catastrophic events but also for more common events that may trigger a stress reaction or response. Being prepared for the unexpected with this training is important for every flight test organization and program.

Benefit of Peer-to-Peer

• We don’t like to talk to doctors
• We speak the same language -
         Familiar with aviation acronyms and technical terminolog
• We rely on and trust each other
• There is an automatic camaraderie, even from different associations/groups