3.1 Aeronautical Decision Making

Embarking on aeronautical adventures involves embracing the art of decision-making, where we navigate potential risks, foster teamwork through crew resource management, and stay attuned to our surroundings. Recognizing challenges promptly and devising effective solutions adds an element of self-reliance to the aviation experience.

ADM Fundamentals
Hazard Identification
Risk Assessment
Decision-Making Process
Crew Resource Management (CRM)

Key Notes:

Understand and deal with risks by identifying and assessing them, then creating strategies to minimize or eliminate them.

Make the most of available resources—people, equipment, and information—by fostering good communication and teamwork within your operation.

Stay aware of your aircraft’s position and surroundings, continuously assessing the situation to anticipate changes and respond appropriately.

Aeronatical Decision Making

the key principles of Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)

It is estimated that approximately 80% of all aviation accidents are related to human error.

In summary, ADM fundamentals involve both acquiring knowledge about key decision-making principles specific to aviation and appreciating the pivotal role of making sound decisions for the overall safety and success of aviation operations.

Principles of ADM

  • Definition: Key principles guiding decision-making in aviation, including risk assessment and understanding the decision-making process.

  • Example: Assessing potential risks associated with a flight, such as evaluating weather conditions, airspace restrictions, and equipment performance, is a fundamental aspect of applying ADM principles.

Environmental Considerations

  • Definition: Factors outside the pilot’s control, like weather changes, that can influence decision-making.
  • Example: Recognizing how sudden weather changes, such as unexpected turbulence or a rapid drop in visibility, can impact the safety of a flight is essential in considering environmental conditions during decision-making.

Decision-Making Process

  • Definition: A systematic approach to decision-making involving situational assessment, alternative evaluation, and outcome consideration.
  • Example: Utilizing a structured decision-making process allows a pilot to weigh available alternatives and potential consequences, enabling them to make well-informed decisions based on the current situation.

Hazard Identification

definition

Recognizing and assessing elements that pose a risk to the safety of a flight operation.

Environmental Factors

  • Identify weather conditions that may impact the flight, such as turbulence, thunderstorms, or low visibility.

    Consider how changes in weather during the course of the flight could introduce new hazards.

Airspace Considerations

  • Recognize potential hazards related to airspace restrictions or congestion.

    Understand the importance of being aware of nearby air traffic and potential conflicts.

Aircraft Performance Limitations

  • Identify limitations of the specific aircraft being used for the operation.

    Consider how factors like weight, balance, and engine performance can affect the safety of the flight.

Pre-flight Inspection

  • Emphasize the importance of a thorough pre-flight inspection to identify any mechanical issues.

    Understand the role of pre-flight checks in hazard identification and risk mitigation.

Route Planning

  • Evaluate the chosen flight route for potential hazards, such as challenging terrain or restricted areas.

    Consider alternative routes that may mitigate identified hazards.

Route Planning

  • Evaluate the chosen flight route for potential hazards, such as challenging terrain or restricted areas.

    Consider alternative routes that may mitigate identified hazards.

Risk Assessment

definition

The process of systematically evaluating potential risks associated with a flight operation to make informed decisions for safety.

Assess and Prioritize Risks

  • Understand the concept of risk in aviation, considering factors like weather conditions, equipment reliability, and airspace complexity.

    Learn to categorize risks based on severity and likelihood, distinguishing between high and low-risk scenarios.

Severity and Likelihood Criteria

  • Familiarize yourself with criteria for assessing the severity of potential risks, such as the potential impact on safety or operational outcomes.

    Understand how likelihood factors, such as frequency or probability of occurrence, contribute to risk assessment.

Risk Mitigation Strategies

  • Explore methods to mitigate identified risks, such as adjusting the flight plan, altering the timing of the operation, or implementing additional safety measures.

    Recognize the importance of developing alternative plans to address potential risks proactively.

Continuous Monitoring

  • Emphasize the need for ongoing risk assessment throughout the entire flight operation.

    Develop the ability to adapt and update risk assessments based on changing conditions or new information.

Documentation

  • Understand the importance of documenting the risk assessment process.

    Comprehend how documenting risk assessments contributes to a safety-oriented culture and facilitates post-flight analysis.

External Factors

  • Evaluate the impact of external factors, such as air traffic, wildlife, or changes in weather, on the safety of the flight.

    Learn to recognize and assess the influence of dynamic external elements that can affect risk levels during the course of the operation.

Risk Assessment

definition

The process of systematically evaluating potential risks associated with a flight operation to make informed decisions for safety.

Assess and Prioritize Risks

  • Understand the concept of risk in aviation, considering factors like weather conditions, equipment reliability, and airspace complexity.

    Learn to categorize risks based on severity and likelihood, distinguishing between high and low-risk scenarios.

Severity and Likelihood Criteria

  • Familiarize yourself with criteria for assessing the severity of potential risks, such as the potential impact on safety or operational outcomes.

    Understand how likelihood factors, such as frequency or probability of occurrence, contribute to risk assessment.

Risk Mitigation Strategies

  • Explore methods to mitigate identified risks, such as adjusting the flight plan, altering the timing of the operation, or implementing additional safety measures.

    Recognize the importance of developing alternative plans to address potential risks proactively.

Continuous Monitoring

  • Emphasize the need for ongoing risk assessment throughout the entire flight operation.

    Develop the ability to adapt and update risk assessments based on changing conditions or new information.

Documentation

  • Understand the importance of documenting the risk assessment process.

    Comprehend how documenting risk assessments contributes to a safety-oriented culture and facilitates post-flight analysis.

External Factors

  • Evaluate the impact of external factors, such as air traffic, wildlife, or changes in weather, on the safety of the flight.

    Learn to recognize and assess the influence of dynamic external elements that can affect risk levels during the course of the operation.

Defining Aeronatical Decision Making:

It is estimated that approximately 80% of all aviation accidents are related to human factors. The one common factor which affects most preventable accidents is human error. A series of judgemental errors which can lead to a human factors-related accident is sometimes referred to as the error chain.

Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) for small Unmanned Aircraft involves a systematic and rational thought process to evaluate potential courses of action in a given situation.

According to the FAA, ADM for small UA operations includes recognizing and managing risks, understanding one’s own capabilities and limitations, and making informed decisions to ensure safe and effective flight.

This approach emphasizes the importance of situational awareness, risk assessment, and thoughtful decision-making throughout the entire drone operation to enhance safety and mitigate potential hazards.

Visual Observers

Engage trained visual observers to provide additional eyes on the environment, enhancing situational awareness and aiding in decision-making during the flight mission.

Trained as part of the crew, Visual Observers (VOs) operate within visual line-of-sight of the UAS, providing essential assistance to the pilot in tasks such as collision avoidance and adherence to applicable flight rules.

Others Manipulating the Controls

Collaborate with team members handling the controls, ensuring clear communication and coordinated efforts to execute maneuvers and respond effectively to changing conditions.

Hardware

Rely on well-maintained and calibrated hardware, such as drones and control equipment, to ensure reliable performance and minimize the risk of technical issues during the flight mission.

Flight Software

Leverage advanced flight software for navigation, data analysis, and real-time monitoring, enhancing the remote PIC’s ability to make informed decisions and adapt to the dynamic conditions of the mission.

In the Field:

Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) for small Unmanned Aircraft involves a systematic and rational thought process to evaluate potential courses of action in a given situation.

According to the FAA, ADM for small UA operations includes recognizing and managing risks, understanding one’s own capabilities and limitations, and making informed decisions to ensure safe and effective flight.

This approach emphasizes the importance of situational awareness, risk assessment, and thoughtful decision-making throughout the entire drone operation to enhance safety and mitigate potential hazards.

Preflight Inspection and Risk Mitigation

Conduct a comprehensive preflight inspection, weather planning, airspace familiarity, proper aircraft loading, and performance planning.

Communication Strategies with Crew

Implement effective communication strategies within the crew, enhancing coordination and reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings that could impact decision-making during a mission.

Emergency Response Planning

Develop protocols for responding to emergencies, ensuring that the remote PIC and the team are well-prepared to handle unexpected situations.

Equipment Redundancy Planning

Stratege for equipment redundancy to ensure operational continuity in the event of a technical failure, contributing to a more resilient and reliable drone operation.

Stress Recognition and Coping in Reforestation Mission:

During a reforestation small UA mission, stress recognition is crucial, especially when navigating challenges with volunteers unfamiliar with drone operations.

 

Envision a scenario where inexperienced crew members unintentionally disrupt the drone’s pre-flight procedures due to a lack of understanding. Recognizing this stressor, the remote PIC needs to calmly address the situation, providing clear instructions on proper procedures.

This skill in managing stress ensures a smoother operation, allowing the team to overcome disruptions caused by inexperience and refocus on their tasks, ultimately contributing to the success of the reforestation mission.

Equipment Redundancy Planning in Precision Agriculture Flight Mission:

Thorough equipment redundancy planning is indispensable, particularly when addressing potential technical hiccups. Imagine a scenario where a critical sensor essential for accurate crop monitoring experiences an unexpected malfunction mid-flight.

Recognizing the significance of equipment redundancy, the remote PIC has strategically incorporated backup sensors into the drone’s system.

In the event of a technical glitch, these redundant sensors seamlessly take over, ensuring uninterrupted data collection and safeguarding the precision agriculture mission’s success.

Risk Management Example:

A wildlife conservation organization has engaged a remote pilot to operate their small UA for monitoring and tracking endangered species. Unfortunately, the remote pilot has encountered numerous close calls with wildlife and has been involved in two incidents where the drone accidentally disrupted the natural habitat. To enhance their operational safety culture, the conservation organization could implement a solution by promoting wildlife awareness and developing standardized operating procedures with a strong emphasis on ecological preservation.

Effective risk mitigation in this context involves a thorough assessment of operation-specific hazards, evaluating the impact on wildlife and ecosystems, and formulating a detailed plan to minimize or mitigate these impacts to an acceptable level. By systematically documenting and consolidating these processes over time, the conservation organization can establish a robust set of practices that prioritize the well-being of wildlife and contribute to the success of their conservation efforts.

Error Chain and the Final “Link”:

When a sequence of judgmental errors culminates in a human factors-related accident, it is termed the error chain. Our objective is to proactively prevent this occurrence by thoroughly embracing risk management. To avert the final “link” in the error chain, a remote pilot must prioritize risk management. Once effective risk controls are devised and put into action, the operation can commence safely and smoothly.

When to Request Assistance:

Pilots should seek assistance immediately if they feel uneasy about their safety for any reason.

In a risk assessment matrix, when both severity and likelihood are low, the scenario falls into the green area. The goal in risk management is always to minimize risk to as low as practicable, irrespective of whether the assessment suggests acceptance. Nevertheless, it is essential to highlight that a pilot feeling apprehensive for their safety should request assistance without hesitation.