Ep 4 - Paul Kissmann - Part 2

This is part 2 of a podcast with CEO of Dicerra, Theon Te Koeti, sitting down with Paul Kissmann to discuss human performance in aviation, the importance of incidence reporting, and the culture of safety among aviators.

Paul Kissmann is the Chief Test Pilot and current Head of Flight Operations with National Research Council Canada (NRCC). He was a former fighter pilot and Squadron Commander with the Royal Canadian Airforce (RCAF) as well as a graduate of the Empire Test Pilot School. He has an MA from the United States Air Force Command and Staff College and has also volunteered with Vintage Wings of Canada.

0:00 - The importance of personality and adaptability in aviation.
5:03 - Pilot training, responsibility, and safety.
9:30 - Flight safety culture and reporting systems.
15:01 - Aviation safety measures and preventative measures.
19:30 - Safety culture in aviation industry.
23:24 - Flying in harsh conditions and operational decisions.
27:38 - Leadership, trust, and safety in a fighter squadron.

Paul Kissman inherited a well-functioning fighter squadron and prioritized empowering his team to do their jobs effectively.

Under his command, the squadron had the highest flying rate and serviceability rate in the game forces, demonstrating the quality of his leadership and the abilities of his team.

Paul Kissman recounts a situation where maintenance personnel informed him that only 2 airplanes were serviceable, despite usual availability of 8-10 planes.

Kissman trusted the maintenance team and gave them time to recover, resulting in the airline resuming operations with the available planes.

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