8.5 Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) - Quiz Questions

Safety is an important element for a remote pilot to consider prior to operating an unmanned aircraft system. To prevent the final "link" in the accident chain, a remote pilot must consider which methodology?

• Crew Resource Management.

• Safety Management System.

• Risk Management.

Answer explanation

When a series of judgmental errors leads to a human factors-related accident, this is sometimes referred to as the error (or accident) chain, and it’s our goal to ensure we’re doing everything we can to prevent this from happening. To prevent this final "link" in the accident chain, a remote pilot must consider Risk Management. Once appropriate risk controls are developed and implemented, then the operation can begin.

A local TV station has hired a remote pilot to operate their small UA to cover breaking news stories. The remote pilot has had multiple near misses with obstacles on the ground and two small UAS accidents. What would be a solution for the news station to improve their operating safety culture?

• The news station should implement a policy of no more than five crashes/incidents within 6 months.

• The news station does not need to make any changes; there are times that an accident is unavoidable.

• The news station should recognize hazardous attitudes and situations and develop standard operating procedures that emphasize safety.

Answer explanation

Strong risk mitigation involves considering the hazards of a given operation, determining the risk severity, and then developing a plan to lessen (or to mitigate) the risk to an acceptable level. By documenting and compiling these processes over time, you can build an arsenal of safety practices that will add to the safety and success of future operations.

The _________ is a trained crew member, in visual line-of-sight of the UAS, who assists the pilot in the duties associated with collision avoidance and complying with the applicable rules of flight.

• Pilot in Command (PIC)

• Visual Observer (VO)

• Operations Supervisor

Answer explanation

Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) involves things like using Visual Observers (VO), who are trained crewmembers in visual line-of-sight of the UAS and who assist the remote PIC with collision avoidance and complying with the rules of flight.

A series of judgmental errors which can lead to a human factors-related accident is sometimes referred to as the

• error chain.

• course of action.

• DECIDE model.

Answer explanation

When a series of judgmental errors leads to a human factors-related accident, this is sometimes referred to as the error (or accident) chain, and it’s our goal to ensure we’re doing everything we can to prevent this from happening. To prevent this final "link" in the accident chain, a remote pilot must consider Risk Management. Once appropriate risk controls are developed and implemented, then the operation can begin.

Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) is a

• systematic approach to the mental process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of action for a given set of circumstances.

• decision making process which relies on good judgement to reduce risks associated with each flight.

• mental process of analyzing all information in a particular situation and making a timely decision on what action to take.

Answer explanation

Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) is a systematic mental approach to consistently determine the best course of action in a given situation. A remote pilot-in-command uses a number of resources to safely operate an unmanned aerial system -- human resources like visual observers or other folks manipulating the controls, hardware, flight software, and other information. The Remote PIC needs to be able to manage each of these resources effectively.

When a pilot follows good decision-making practices, the inherent risk in a flight is reduced or even eliminated. The ADM framework can help to identify hazards and to classify the potential threat that these hazards could pose in an operation.

Pilots who become apprehensive for their safety for any reason should

• request assistance immediately.

• reduce their situational awareness.

• change their mindset.

Answer explanation

In a risk assessment matrix, when the severity and the likelihood are both low, you fall into the green area. The objective in risk management should always be to reduce risk to as low as practicable regardless of whether or not the assessment shows that it can be accepted as is. However, it should go without saying that a pilot who becomes apprehensive for their safety for any reason should request assistance immediately.

What is the one common factor which affects most preventable accidents?

• Structural failure

• Mechanical malfunction

• Human error

Answer explanation

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