Single Pilot Resource Management

Question 1

Define the term “single-pilot resource management.”

Answer 1

Single-pilot resource management (SRM) is the art and science of managing all of the resources (both on board the aircraft and from outside resources) available to a single pilot (prior to and during flight) to ensure that the successful outcome of the flight is never in doubt. SRM helps pilots learn to execute methods of gathering info, analyzing it and making decisions.

Question 2

What are some examples of the skills necessary for effective SRM?

Answer 2

SRM includes the concepts of aeronautical decision making (ADM), risk management (RM), task management (TM), automation management (AM), controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) awareness, and situational awareness (SA).

Question 3

What practical application provides a pilot with an effective method to practice SRM?

Answer 3

The “Five P” checklist consists of The Plan, The Plane, The Pilot, The Passengers, and The Programming. It is based on the idea that the pilot has essentially five variables that impact his/her environment and that can cause the pilot to make a single critical decision, or several less critical decisions, that when added together can create a critical outcome.

Question 4

Explain the use of the “Five P” model to asses risk associated with each of the five factors.

Answer 4

At key decision points, application of the Five P checklist should be performed by reviewing each of the critical variables:

a) Plan - wx, route, publications, ATC reroutes/delays, fuel onboard/remaining
b) Plane - mechanical status, automation status, database currency, backup systems
c) Pilot - illness, medication, stress, alcohol, fatigue, eating
d) Passengers - pilots/non-pilots, nervous or quiet, experiences or new, business or pleasure
e) Programming - autopilot, GPS, MFD/PFD; anticipate likelt reroutes/clearances; questions to ask. What is it doing? Why is it doing it? Did I do it?

Question 5

When is the “Five P” checklist recommended?

Answer 5

The “Five P” concept relies on the pilots to adopt a scheduled review of the critical variables at points in the flight where decisions are most likely to be effective. These key decision points include: pre-flight, pre-takeoff, hourly or at the midpoint of the flight, pre-descent, and just prior to final approach/entering traffic pattern. also in emergencies.