1	5 Steps to Better Pilot Decisions By: William Benhoff Safety Program Manager Cleveland FSDO
2	Introduction When certified a pilot is expected to: Be responsible in behavior Understand and interpret the “rules” To use “Good Judgment” Accident statistics indicate 80 to 85% of all GA accidents involve “Pilot Error”
3	Pilot Error Oversimplification Pilots intend to fly safely Make decisional errors Skill and luck most times is enough to save them - Sometimes it’s not
4	Dear School Ben Franklin in the 1734 edition of Poor Richard’s Almanac” said: “Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other”
5	Good Experience Training Controlled Environment With a “qualified” Instructor Simulated Problems Safety Seminars Hanger Flying
6	Judgment Pilot Judgment - takes 2 forms Cognitive: More time to think Final decision is easily influenced by non-flight factors Perceptual: Without much thought Not easily influenced
7	Objectives Help you move your pilot decisions from Cognitive to Perceptual Give you a 5 step “checklist” to help you make better decisions Reduce your chances of enrolling in that “Dear School”
8	The 5 Step Checklist It’s easy and requires no purchase It is within arms reach at all times!!! Each flight has 4 risk factors: Pilot Aircraft Environment Operation
9	The 5 Step Checklist The Pilot Any evaluation of the pilot, is included in the First Step.
10	The Pilot I - Illness M - Medication S - Stress A - Alcohol F - Fatigue E - Eating
11	Illness Do you have any symptoms? What will be their effects in flight Will they cause you discomfort How will they effect other decisions Do you really want to fly if your sick? There is no MEL for the pilot
12	Medication FAR 91.17(a)(3) states you can not fly while taking any drug that effects your faculties in any way contrary to safety Have you been taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication? CAFFEINE ????
13	Stress Some stress - good / A lot of stress - bad --- very bad Life stress vs Flight stress
14	Life Stress Life stress values: Death in family ......................50 pts. Serious health problem..........37 pts. Lack of sleep.........................34 pts. Government action................29 pts. Employment...........................26 pts. Total of 50-70 pts. - could be trouble
15	Alcohol FAR 91. 17 (a) has three parts to it: 8 hours .04 Blood alcohol Under the influence What have I been drinking within the last 8 hours? Within 24 hours?
16	Fatigue Am I tired or not adequately rested? In the life stress it rated 34 pts. It even scored more points than serious financial problem = 29 pts. In parts 121 and 135 there are limits of duty time and rest hours set. However under Part 91 you can fly until you drop - perhaps literally.
17	Eating Am I adequately nourished? Vending Machine or Fast Food Good meal with proper foods How long ago was your last meal? Too long Too soon Remember school and a good breakfast
18	The 5 Step Checklist If all evaluations of the pilot are SATISFACTORY Fold down that finger and go to Step 2
19	The 5 Step Checklist The Aircraft Any Judgment about the aircraft and it’s equipment
20	The Aircraft Don’t use - THE WRONG TOOL Is the aircraft your using on this flight adequate for the conditions expected? Instrument vs. All Weather Equipped for your use How current / qualified are you to fly it?
21	Maintenance Are the required inspections completed? How can you verify this information When was the last maintenance completed Are there any open discrepancies IS THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK ON BOARD!!!!
22	The Preflight Is a good thorough preflight inspection completed? Carefully look over every aircraft flown Know what each leak is, and why each stain is there Verify all equipment is working or address why it’s not required
23	Limitations Plan, Plan, Plan, then plan some more Know how much fuel is required and how much is being used Runway lengths required Weight and Balance of each leg Don’t be an “Experimenter Pilot”
24	The 5 Step Checklist If all evaluations of the aircraft are SATISFACTORY Fold down that finger and go to Step 3.
25	The 5 Step Checklist The Environment Any evaluation of where and in what will the flight be operated in
26	The Weather VFR or IFR Winds Visibility Icing If you live by the forecast, you shall die by the forecast
27	When is the Flight? Time of the day: Day/VFR Day/IFR Night/VFR Night/IFR Season: Winter vs. Summer Spring vs Fall
28	The Airport Airport location: Busy Airport / Class B Airspace Aircraft Traffic Mix Grass Field, remote location Surrounding area Facilities Available - airport / aircraft
29	Air Traffic Control Availability - Services provided Complexity Weather observation Observer AWOS - different levels of services/info. NONE????
30	The 5 Step Checklist If all evaluations of the environment are SATISFACTORY Fold down that finger and go to Step 4.
31	The 5 Step Checklist The Operation WHY IS THIS FLIGHT BEING MADE????
32	The Operation The most easily influenced by factors not related to safety The area where the majority of the Poor Decisional Errors are made Requires a personal commitment to not exceed your limitations
33	Is the Flight worth the Risk? Is this flight: Low investment - High return High investment - Low return Must this flight be conducted NOW or can it be DELAYED Is this a financial decision?
34	Pressure Where is the pressure coming from? Pressure = Flight Stress Serious Disagreement..............50 pts. System Failure...................50 - 30 pts. Deteriorating Weather..............45 pts. Violation on This Flight..............31 pts. Almost an Accident...................25 pts.
35	Total Stress Some Personal Stress when added to your Flight Stress - It’s easy to get above 50 - 70 points, putting you at risk for stress related decisional errors
36	Sources of Stress Other “Flight Stress” induces: Passengers What are their motivations Who is the expert in aviation Do they FULLY understand the risks Is it a failure to communicate the situation to them?
37	More Sources Employer Is it a communication problem Who is above this person 1,000 other pilots? A violation? For you or the company Is this job worth your life?
38	Even More Sources Other Pilots: Sometimes our worst enemies Would they really go with all the information you have? What are their decision making skills Perhaps they are WRONG - and you are RIGHT !!!!!!
39	The Biggest Source The Pilot Is all this pressure from you What are your alternatives Have you carefully analyzed the risk factors - can any be changed? What are your true motivations????
40	The 5 Step Checklist If all evaluations of the Operation are SATISFACTORY Fold down that finger and go to Step 5.
41	The 5 Step Checklist The Situation If all fingers are folded down, meaning all risk are SATISFACTORY Start or Continue
42	The 5 Step Checklist If any fingers are still out, meaning a risk factor is not satisfactory NO GO or STOP Determine how you can change the risk
43	The Decision GO / NO GO Decision GO / Continue to go Decision Continually make decisions based upon the 5 Risk Factors, to continue the flight or divert
44	Point to Ponder Who is the Captain/Pilot In Command? You are never really a Captain, until you can say “NO” One of the responsibilities of command is the ability to say “NO” in the interest of Safety
45	????????????
46	Thank You
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