Aeronautical Decision Making Robert Jex Pan Am Intl

Aeronautical Decision Making Robert Jex Pan Am Int’l Flight Academy

What is ADM? • The systematic approach to the mental process pilots use to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances. • Systematic = Consistent!

References: • Aviation Instructor’s Handbook • Airplane Flying Handbook • Instrument Flying Handbook • 2003 Pilot’s Hdbk. Of Aero. Knowledge • AC 60 -22: Aeronautical Decision Making • Jeppesen Flight Instructor Manual • King Schools Practical Risk Mgmt. course

Favorite Aviation Quotes, Part 1: • “A superior pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid situations requiring his superior skill. ”

Why teach ADM? • All flying involves risk. • ADM is a tool to manage those risks. • ADM helps prevent accidents!

“Risk Elements” in ADM • Pilot • Aircraft • Environment • Mission

Situational Awareness (“SA”) • The accurate perception and understanding of all the factors and conditions within the four risk elements that affect safety before, during, and after the flight. • Situational Awareness is critical in ADM!

Favorite Aviation Quotes, Part 2: • “Never allow your aircraft to go to a place your mind didn’t go to five minutes earlier. ”

Favorite Aviation Quotes, Part 3: • “If, in an airplane, you ever wonder where you are, the answer is that you are in the wrong place. ” - Richard Collins

Human factors in accidents • Up to 75% of aviation accidents are in some way related to human factors. • Many accidents stem from a chain of events. • Break a link anywhere in the chain and you’ll prevent the accident.

Hazardous Attitudes • Anti-authority – Antidote: Follow the rules! • Impulsivity – Antidote: Think first! • Invulnerability – Antidote: “It could happen to me” • Macho – Antidote: Taking chances is foolish • Resignation – Antidote: I can make a difference here!

“DECIDE” model • Detect – Observe a change possibly requiring pilot action • Estimate – Look at the need to address this change • Choose – Visualize a desireable outcome • Identify – Which actions will successfully control the change? • Do – Take action! • Evaluate – Check the results of the action; repeat above steps

Teaching ADM • Risk Elements • Accounting for Human Factors • Operational Pitfalls (Temptations, Errors) • Responsibility of the PIC • Scenarios

ADM Scenarios • Trainee briefs wx; Preliminary Go/No-Go • Trainee briefs lesson & backup plans • CFI places bolt on ground near a/c… • Diversion/Lost scenario • Simulated impending systems failures… • Others? ? ?

Summary • ADM is a risk management tool • SA is a key ingredient • Accidents often stem from human factors, including hazardous attitudes • Accidents usually from a chain of events • ADM is repetitive, info-based process • CFI’s should teach and evaluate ADM