_edited_edited.jpg)
I'm Cristian Mandu
I am an Airbus A320 captain, examiner, and Human Factors trainer, as well as a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a PhD candidate. I am dedicated to fostering excellence among high-performance individuals and teams.
During my 14 years of experience as a Human Factors trainer and researcher, I have trained airline crews, managers from various domains, and European astronauts. My mission extends beyond aviation, reaching into other domains where effective teamwork is essential, both in routine operations and high-stress emergency situations.
I emphasize that effective operations and safety are more than the sum of the procedures; it is the synergy and resilience of human performance that makes these procedures work. Human performance reaches its maximum potential when individuals and teams have a practical understanding of their needs, abilities, and limitations (Human Factors), as well as cross-cultural competencies. This approach, as demonstrated by airline pilot and astronaut training, ensures that teams can be adaptable, decisive, and self-correcting.
NASA Space Flight Resource Management (SFRM) training model
If you want to explore ways to enhance your skills and empower yourself and your team by leveraging aviation and space crew training expertise, feel free to contact me. Unlock your full potential and supercharge your teamwork, with the ultimate goal of achieving safety, effectiveness, and efficiency in all your operations.
Qualifications
A320 TRE
EASA A320 Type-Rating Examiner (Swiss CAA).
A320 Captain
I achieved the rank of captain in 2014 and subsequently progressed through various roles within the training department structure, serving as a Line Training Captain (LTC), Check Airman (CARM), and Type-Rating Instructor (TRI).
CRM/Human Factors Trainer
I transitioned into the role of a Crew Resource Management (CRM) Trainer, where my focus is on aiding airline crews in achieving safety standards. My emphasis lies in addressing Human Factors aspects that can either hinder or enhance team performance.
Education
2024-Present
PhD candidate
Open University Netherlands
Doctoral research examining resilience development in pilot training and the role of confidence calibration and cognitive robustness in supporting pilot performance under stress and high workload.
2018-2021
MSc
Lund University, Sweden
I have conducted research on the A320 ALL ENGINE FAIL procedure and how training simplified rules-of-thumb (judgement heuristics) can assist pilots in managing critical situations. My thesis, detailing this research, is available for download here.
1999-2003
Bachelor’s Degree in Music - Violin Performance
Lynn University, USA
Before becoming a pilot, I have a background in classical music, specializing in violin performance.
Research focus, publications, and articles
PhD research focus
I am currently continuing my research on resilience development in pilot training, with a particular focus on developing a Confidence-Based Robustness Training (CBRT) framework as a foundational complement to the existing Evidence-Based Training (EBT) approach.
While EBT focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of pilot performance through observable behaviors, it overlooks the psychological and cognitive mechanisms that drive those behaviors — particularly pilots’ cognitive capabilities, needs, and limitations when operating under stress and high workload.
CBRT seeks to bridge this gap by focusing on the cognitive architecture that enables pilots to maintain effective control, decision-making, and coordination under pressure, aligning training more closely with the realities of human performance in complex operational environments.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Mandu, C., Smoker, A., & Curșeu, P. (2026).
Using heuristics to glide an Airbus A320 following all-engine failure in cruise: a simulator-based experimental study.
Published in Ergonomics.
This paper extends the experimental work originally conducted for my MSc thesis by introducing two additional control groups.
Read the paper here.
