Pilot Decision-Making Exam

ADVANCE FLYING ACADEMY

Pilot Decision-Making Exam

The Pilot Decision-Making Exam evaluates your understanding of the decision-making processes critical to flight safety, including risk assessment, situational awareness, and adherence to regulations. Below is a comprehensive study guide to prepare for the exam.

Key Topics to Study

1. Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM)

Definition:
- Systematic mental process to evaluate a situation and determine the best course of action.
Steps of ADM:
1. Identify the problem.
2. Gather information.
3. Evaluate alternatives.
4. Make a decision.
5. Take action.
6. Evaluate the outcome.

2. The DECIDE Model

D: Detect a change needing attention.
E: Estimate the need to counter or react to the change.
C: Choose the most desirable outcome.
I: Identify actions to successfully control the change.
D: Do the necessary actions.
E: Evaluate the effects of the actions.

3. Human Factors in Decision-Making

Stress:
- Effects of stress on perception, judgment, and reaction times.
Fatigue:
- Impairs cognitive functions; increases risk of errors.
Illness:
- Can diminish physical and mental performance (IMSAFE checklist: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion/Eating).
Complacency:
- Overconfidence or routine leading to overlooked risks.

4. Situational Awareness

Definition:
- Accurate perception of the environment, events, and system states affecting the flight.
Barriers to Situational Awareness:
- Fixation on one issue.
- Fatigue or overload.
- Failure to monitor instruments or surroundings.

5. Risk Management

PAVE Checklist:
- P: Pilot (fitness, currency, experience).
- A: Aircraft (performance, maintenance).
- V: enVironment (weather, terrain, airports).
- E: External pressures (time, passengers).
5Ps of Risk Assessment:
- Plan, Plane, Pilot, Passengers, Programming.
Personal Minimums:
- Set thresholds for go/no-go decisions based on personal comfort and skill levels.

6. Hazardous Attitudes and Counteractions

Attitudes:
- Anti-Authority: "Don’t tell me." (Follow rules.)
- Impulsivity: "Do it quickly." (Think before acting.)
- Invulnerability: "It won’t happen to me." (Recognize risks.)
- Macho: "I can do it." (Avoid unnecessary risks.)
- Resignation: "What’s the use?" (Stay involved.)
Recognizing and mitigating hazardous attitudes is key to effective ADM.

7. External Pressures

Common Pressures:
- Time constraints, passenger expectations, and organizational demands.
Mitigation:
- Communicate realistic expectations with stakeholders, and prioritize safety over convenience.

8. Crew Resource Management (CRM)

Definition:
- Effective use of all available resources (human, hardware, and information).
Principles:
- Communication, teamwork, workload management, and leadership.

9. Decision-Making in Emergency Situations

Key Actions:
- Aviate (maintain control of the aircraft).
- Navigate (determine location and heading).
- Communicate (contact ATC and others as needed).
Time-Critical Decisions:
- Use practiced emergency procedures and prioritize tasks.

10. Post-Decision Analysis

Review decisions and outcomes to learn and improve future judgment.

Sample Questions

Multiple Choice:
You’re under time pressure to complete a flight but notice worsening weather along your route. What should you prioritize?
- A. Continue the flight to meet your schedule.
- B. Land at the nearest suitable airport and reassess.
- C. Increase altitude to avoid the weather system.
- D. Push through the weather with reduced speed.
(Correct Answer: B - Land and reassess.)
True/False:
Hazardous attitudes can be mitigated by using the DECIDE model.
(Correct Answer: True)
Scenario Question:
You feel fatigued but are scheduled for an early morning flight. Your passengers insist on departing as planned. What factors should you consider before making a decision?
Fill-in-the-Blank:
A pilot demonstrating the __________ attitude might disregard established procedures and attempt risky maneuvers to impress others.
(Correct Answer: Macho)
Practical Problem:
You encounter unforecast turbulence and notice the passengers becoming uneasy. How do you manage the situation while maintaining safety?

Study Tips

Review ADM Principles:
- Understand the DECIDE model and how to apply it to various scenarios.
Practice Risk Management:
- Use the PAVE checklist during preflight planning.
Reflect on Real-World Examples:
- Analyze aviation accidents and incidents to understand poor decision-making.
Simulate Scenarios:
- Use flight simulators or discuss case studies to practice decision-making in a controlled environment.
Know Your Personal Limits:
- Develop personal minimums for weather, fatigue, and other risk factors.