Getting Started with Drone Safety
Aeronautical Decision Making
As the Remote Pilot In Command (RPIC), you have many responsibilities to pilot a drone as well as ensure drone safety. Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) is a systematic approach to the mental process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances.
In traditional aviation, it is estimated that approximately 80 percent of all aviation accidents are related to human factors and the vast majority of these accidents occur during landing and takeoff. A significant proportion of accidents in UAS operations are also associated with human error.
Steps for good decision-making are:
1. Identifying personal attitudes hazardous to safe flight
2. Learning behavior modification techniques
3. Learning how to recognize and cope with stress
4. Developing risk assessment skills
Below we will outline two components of aeronautical decision making: crew resource management and identifying hazardous attitudes and their antidotes.
Crew Resource Management
Crew Resource Management (CRM) is the application of personal and team management concepts to enhance the safe and effective operation of aircraft, both on the ground and in the air.
Why is CRM important?
- Inadequate communications between crew members can lead to a loss of situational awareness, a breakdown in teamwork in the aircraft, and, ultimately, to a wrong decision or series of decisions which result in a serious incident.
- While technical knowledge and skills are required to fly and operate an aircraft, cognitive and interpersonal skills are also necessary to manage flights within an organized aviation system.
- CRM is not confined to multi-crew operations, but also relates to single pilot operations, which may require interactions with other aircraft and with various ground support agencies in order to complete a mission successfully.
Hazardous Attitudes
Hazardous attitudes contribute to poor pilot judgment but can be effectively counteracted by redirecting the hazardous attitude so that correct action can be taken. Recognition of hazardous thoughts is the first step toward neutralizing them.
Below are 5 hazardous attitudes that have been recognized by the FAA.
The Five Hazardous Attitudes | Antidote |
Anti-authority: “Don’t tell me.” This attitude is found in people who do not like anyone telling them what to do. In a sense, they are saying, “No one can tell me what to do.” They may be resentful of having someone tell them what to do or may regard rules, regulations, and procedures as silly or unnecessary. However, it is always your prerogative to question authority if you feel it is in error. |
Follow the rules. They are usually right. |
Impulsivity: “Do it quickly.” This is the attitude of people who frequently feel the need to do something, anything, immediately. They do not stop to think about what they are about to do, they do not select the best alternative, and they do the first thing that comes to mind. |
Not so fast. Think first. |
Invulnerability: “It won’t happen to me.” Many people falsely believe that accidents happen to others, but never to them. They know accidents can happen, and they know that anyone can be affected. However, they never really feel or believe that they will be personally involved. Pilots who think this way are more likely to take chances and increase risk. |
It could happen to me. |
Macho: “I can do it.” Pilots who are always trying to prove that they are better than anyone else think, “I can do it—I'll show them.” Pilots with this type of attitude will try to prove themselves by taking risks in order to impress others. While this pattern is thought to be a male characteristic, women are equally susceptible. |
Taking chances is foolish. |
Resignation: “What’s the use?” Pilots who think, “What’s the use?” do not see themselves as being able to make a great deal of difference in what happens to them. When things go well, the pilot is apt to think that it is good luck. When things go badly, the pilot may feel that someone is out to get them or attribute it to bad luck. The pilot will leave the action to others, for better or worse. Sometimes, such pilots will even go along with unreasonable requests just to be a "nice guy." |
I’m not helpless. I can make a difference. |