Aeronautical Decision Making and Crew Resource Management Flashcards
Define aeronautical decision making.
ADM is the systematic approach to the mental process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances.
What are the four risk elements?
P – Pilot. Are you fit to fly? Consider:
- IMSAFE checklist (Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion)
- Currency and proficiency
- Experience in current conditions
A – Aircraft. Is the aircraft airworthy and suitable for the flight? Consider:
- ARROW & Performance limitations (weight, balance, fuel, power)
- Equipment (IFR-certified? Anti-ice?)
- Maintenance status
V – enVironment. Are the external conditions safe? Consider:
- Weather (winds, visibility, storms, icing)
- Airport conditions (runways, NOTAMs, terrain)
- Airspace and ATC services available
E – External Pressures. Are there pressures that could compromise safety? Consider:
- Get-there-itis (rushing to a destination)
- Passenger expectations
- Time constraints and personal stress
The DECIDE model for decision making involves which elements?
- D etect a change needing attention
- E stimate the need to counter or react the change.
- C hoose the most desirable outcome for the flight.
- I dentify actions to successfully control the change.
- D o something to adapt to the change
- E valuate the effect of the action countering the change.
What are the major factors affecting judgment and decision making?
- Stress
- Health
- Attitude
- Experience
Name the five hazardous attitudes that negatively impact a pilot’s judgment and ability to make competent decisions and their antidotes.
Invulnerability - It could happen to me
Macho - Taking chances is foolish
Anti-authority - Follow the rules, they are usually right
Impulsivity - Think first, not so fast
Resignation - I can make a difference, I am not helpless
IMAIR
What does crew resource managment (CRM) refer to?
The application of team management concepts in the flight deck environment.
Which groups routinely working with the cockpit crew may also be viewed as effective components of CRM and the decision making process in the cockpit?
- Pilots
- Dispatchers
- Cabin Crew
- Maintenance Personnel
- Air Traffic Controllers
Discuss the importance of understanding the concept of positive exchange of flight controls, as it relates to flight training.
There must always be a clear understanding of who has control of the aircraft. Prior to the flight, there should be a briefing on the procedure for exchanging the flight controls. A positive three step process is recommended:
- Pilot 1 - “I have the airplane”
- Pilot 2 - “You have the airplane”
- Pilot 1 - “I have the airplane”
What is situational awareness?
The accurate perception and understanding of all the factors and conditions within the four fundamental risk elements affecting safety before, during and after the flight.
What are some of the elements, both inside and outside the aircraft, that a pilot must consider in order to maintain situational awareness?
- Inside aircraft
- Status of systems
- pilots
- passengers
- Outside aircraft
- environmental conditions
- spatial orientation of the aircraft
- relationship to the surrounding terrain
- traffic
- weather
- airspace
What are some of the obstacles to maintaining situational awareness? (3)
- Fatigue and Stress
- Work overload
- Distractions
What are “operational pitfalls”?
Classic behavioral traps into which pilots have been known to fall. Pilots as a rule always try to complete a flight as planned, please passengers, meet schedules, and generally deomonstrate that they have the “right stuff”. The basic drive to demonstrate the right stuff can have an adverse effect on safety, and can impose an unrealistic assessment of piloting skills under stressful conditions.
What are some examples of operational pitfalls that pilots have been known to experience?
- Peer pressure
- Mindset
- Get-there-itis
- Duck-under syndrome (Descent below minimums)
- Scud running
- Continuing VFR into IMC
- Getting behind the aircraft
- Loss of positional or situational awareness
- Operating without adequate fuel reserves
- Descent below the minimum enroute altitude
- Flying outside the envelope
- Neglect of flight planning, preflight inspections, and checklists.
Why are pilots encouraged to use checklists?
They provide a logical and standardized method to operate a particular make and model airplane. Following the checklist reinforces the use of proper procedures throughout all major phases of flight.
What are the two primary methods for using checklists?
- Read and Do:
- This is when a pilot picks up a checklist, refers to an item, and sets the condition. The items for any particular phase of flight would all be accomplished before the checklist is set aside.
- Do and Verify:
- Set the condition of the items for a particular phase of operation from memory or flow pattern, then use the checklist and read to verify that the appropriate condition for each item in that phase has been set. It is not wise for a pilot to become so reliant upon a flow pattern that they fail to verify with a checklist.
What are some examples of checklists a pilot will use in the course of a flight?
- Preflight inspection
- Before engine start
- Engine start
- Before taxi
- Before takeoff
- Climb
- Cruise
- Descent
- Before landing
- After landing
- Shutdown
- Postflight
Define Single-Pilot Resource Management
The ability of a pilot to effectively manage all available resources—both internal (aircraft systems, onboard equipment) and external (ATC, weather services, passengers, company dispatch, etc.) — to ensure a safe and efficient flight.
5-P Method to practice SRM
- Plan
- Refers to preflight planning and flight execution.
- Includes weather, route, fuel, ATC delays, and airport conditions. - Plane
- Evaluates the aircraft’s airworthiness and capabilities.
- Checks fuel, performance, maintenance status, avionics, and systems. - Pilot
- Assesses physical, mental, and emotional readiness using tools like IMSAFE (Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion).
- Includes proficiency, experience, and confidence in current conditions. - Passengers
- Considers their needs, experience, and potential distractions.
- Managing expectations and workload (e.g., briefing nervous passengers or utilizing a co-pilot). - Programming
- Evaluates avionics and automation use, including GPS, autopilot, and navigation systems.
- Ensures familiarity with equipment to avoid “button pushing” distractions in critical phases of flight.
What is risk management?
Decision making processes designed to systematically identify hazards, assess risk and determine best course of action to mitigate or eliminate chance of harm or negative outcomes.
E.g. PAVE, 3G, DECIDE
What is a hazard?
A present condition, object, or circumstance that could contribute to undesired dangerous event.
E.g. propeller blade nick, wrong fuel, tower.
What is the 3-P Model for practical risk management?
A structured method pilots use to continuously assess and mitigate risks before and during a flight. It helps in making proactive decisions to enhance safety.
Perceive – Identify hazards that could affect the flight.
- Use the PAVE Model (Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External Pressures) to systematically evaluate risks.
- Example: Is there deteriorating weather ahead? Is the aircraft overweight?
Process – Analyze the impact of the identified hazards.
- Use the CARE Model (Consequences, Alternatives, Reality, External pressures) to evaluate risks.
- Example: If I continue into worsening weather, what are my options?
Perform – Implement a risk mitigation strategy and take action.
- Use the TEAM Model (Transfer, Eliminate, Accept, Mitigate) to decide the best course of action.
- Example: Should I divert, change altitude, or delay the flight?
Factors that reduce pilots ability to manage workload
Environmental conditions
Physiological Stress
Psychological Stress
How to decrease workload
Stop
Think
Slow Down
Prioritize (Aviate, Navigate, Communicate)
Possible errors in checklist usage
- distraction causes missed item
- item performed incorrectly
- not used during proper phase of flight
- head down too long
- not available to use
- memory items not confirmed