Risk Management and ADM

This week’s module of ASCI 638 studied Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM). ADM focuses on managing risk for pilots by providing methods to identify, analyze, decide, and execute decisions while utilizing all the resources available. The overall goal in ADM is to manage risk by ensuring the pilot has full situational awareness.

There are several models and useful acronyms to aid pilots in ADM. One is the DECIDE model, which follow the process a pilot should take when faced with a problem: Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate. This is similar to the SIPDE acronym used in motorcycle riding when faced with obstacles: Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute. Another acronym in ADM is PAVE, used to bring light to the different factors in any situation: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures.

In the videos and readings this week, what stood out most to me was how applicable ADM and risk management are in UAS operations. When out in the field performing a UAS mission, there is a constant cycle of identifying hazards or potential issues. Just like in manned aviation, you want to stay ahead of the aircraft by identifying potential issues before they become immediate issues. For example, you might be flying in an open field, adhering to CFR 14 Part 107 regulations. Although things seem rosy, an observant pilot would notice that the aircraft’s battery is nearing the low warning level, a group of non-participants are walking toward the area under the aircraft, and rain is approaching from behind the PIC’s viewpoint.

CFR 14 Part 107 operators face the same human factors challenges that manned pilots face, including conditions such as fatigue, complacency, and stress. An unmanned pilot also deals with the same flight risks outlined by PAVE: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, and External pressures. There are some unique human factors challenges found in unmanned aviation. For example, a UAS operator might be exposed to the elements instead of being sheltered in an aircraft cockpit. A UAS operator may be more focused on displays during the mission and have associated eye strain and/or fatigue instead of a pilot looking at physical gauges.