The 3-Step OTT Briefing Method

Hey there! Welcome to the first ever Bus Juice! 😁

In this inaugural issue:

• Discover why most cockpit briefings fail (and how to fix yours)

• How the 3-Step OTT Briefing Method creates genuine crew synergy

• Learn the behaviours that make up effective briefings

• And more…

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The Truth About Most Briefings 😴

Let's be honest: most cockpit briefings sound like someone reading the phonebook.

"Uhhh, we're departing from runway 16L via the BINPO 2W SID, initial altitude… umm … 5,000 feet, transition level..."

You know the drill.

The PF then recites every possible waypoint while the PM nods along, at best mentally planning dinner, at worst completely disengaged from the operation.

But industry research and guidance is crystal clear:

When briefings become mechanical and dry:

⚠️ We miss threats hiding in plain sight

⚠️ We fail to build a shared mental model

⚠️ We don't prepare for the unexpected (or even the expected!)

The good news? There's a better way.

What Effective Briefings Should Do

Effective briefings should:

✅ Focus on threats, errors and mitigation 

✅ Identify differences to ‘normal’ operations

✅ Give the PM an expected monitoring framework

✅ Result in a shared mental model and higher situational awareness

It sounds straightforward, right? 😁

Yet despite this, briefings often go wrong for two key reasons: inadequate preparation and lack of structure.

The OTT Briefing Method 🚀

Effective briefings follow a clear, purposeful structure that puts threats front and center. The OTT Briefing Method closely follows airbus FCTM guidance and focuses on three essential elements:

Preparation

Before you even begin the briefing, preparation is absolutely essential. BOTH PILOTS should review NOTAMs, weather, aircraft status, FMCG setup and (if needed) consult a threat matrix (you can download one below) to identify potential issues.

This means you both enter the briefing focused on threat management rather than the basic day to day.

And please… before starting the brief make sure your colleague is actually ready. A simple…

…is all you need!

Step 1: OVERVIEW

Start with the big picture. Share a concise flight plan summary that confirms you're both seeing the same thing in your heads.

Don't waste time repeating what you've both already looked at in the FMGC. Instead, focus on:

• Key runway and routing information

• Critical altitude restrictions

• Anything unusual about today's operation

The goal is simple: ensure you both understand where you're going and how you're getting there.

E.g. “The plan is to fly the RNP 04 via INDIS starting at 7000’ as a decelerated approach using FINAL APP.”

Step 2: THREATS

Now for the crucial part - an honest dialogue about what could go wrong.

"What threats do you think there are for us today?"

This is where preparation pays off. Both pilots should contribute potential threats and then collaborate on mitigation strategies.

This should be a discussion not a monologue.

Pilot 1: “The airspace is very busy today so there’s a threat of mid-air collision.” 

Pilot 2: “Yeah I agree - To mitigate that we’ll have a sterile flight deck, have a good listening watch on the radio and keep v/s low when approaching a level off.” 

Pilot 1: “Understood - we can also monitor TCAS.”

Step 3: TEAMWORK

Reserve this step for situations that require special crew coordination:

• When executing supplementary procedures

• During complex or unfamiliar operations

• Any time roles might deviate from routine

Clearly articulate who will do what, when, and how. Establish triggers for intervention and set expectations for communication during critical phases.

Remember: Threat and error management does not end with the briefing! Keep reviewing and updating each other.

Effective Briefing Behaviours

The most effective pilots demonstrate specific behaviours that transform standard briefings into powerful crew alignment tools:

Prepare Actively - Have threats identified before the briefing starts, not during.

Check Engagement - Ask open questions "Are you ready to brief?" “when are you expecting me to slow down?”

Keep It Relevant - Focus only on what matters today and skip what you both already know. (looking at you 3 degree glide slope! 😴😂)

Make It Two-Way - Ask "What threats do you see today?" instead of just talking at your colleague.

These small changes make a big difference in creating true crew alignment.

Before You Go

📥 Download a Briefing Threat Matrix for easier threat identification.

See you next week,

Simon

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