Chapter 10: Aeronautical Decision-Making and Judgment
Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide 57
Human factors science, or human factors technologies, is a multidisciplinary field incorporating
contributions from psychology, engineering, industrial design, statistics, operations research, and
anthropometry. It is a term that covers the science of understanding the properties of human
capability, the application of this understanding to the design, development and deployment of
systems and services, and the art of ensuring successful application of human factor principles into all
aspects of aviation to include pilots, ATC, and aviation maintenance. Human factors is often considered
synonymous with CRM or maintenance resource management (MRM) but is really much broader in
both its knowledge base and scope. Human factors involves gathering research specific to certain
situations (i.e., flight, maintenance, stress levels, knowledge) about human abilities, limitations, and
other characteristics and applying it to tool design, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments
to produce safe, comfortable, and effective human use. The entire aviation community benefits greatly
from human factors research and development as it helps better understand how humans can most
safely and efficiently perform their jobs and improve the tools and systems in which they interact.
The Decision-Making Process
An understanding of the decision-making process provides the pilot with a foundation for developing
ADM and SRM skills. While some situations, such as engine failure, require an immediate pilot
response using established procedures, there is usually time during a flight to analyze any changes that
occur, gather information, and assess risks before reaching a decision.
Risk management and risk intervention is much more than the simple definitions of the terms might
suggest. Risk management and risk intervention are decision-making processes designed to
systematically identify hazards, assess the degree of risk, and determine the best course of action.
These processes involve the identification of hazards, followed by assessments of the risks, analysis of
the controls, making control decisions, using the controls, and monitoring the results.
The steps leading to this decision constitute a decision-making process. Three models of a structured
framework for problem-solving and decision-making are the 5P, the 3P using PAVE, CARE and TEAM,
and the DECIDE models. They provide assistance in organizing the decision process. All these models
have been identified as helpful to the single pilot in organizing critical decisions.
Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM)
Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM) is about how to gather information, analyze it, and make
decisions. Learning how to identify problems, analyze the information, and make informed and
timely decisions is not as straightforward as the training involved in learning specific maneuvers.
Learning how to judge a situation and “how to think” in the endless variety of situations
encountered while flying out in the “real world” is more difficult.
There is no one right answer in ADM, rather each pilot is expected to analyze each situation in light
of experience level, personal minimums, and current physical and mental readiness level, and make
his or her own decision.
Perceive, Process, Perform (3P) Model
The Perceive, Process, Perform (3P) model for ADM offers a simple, practical, and systematic
approach that can be used during all phases of flight. To use it, the pilot will:
• Perceive the given set of circumstances for a flight
• Process by evaluating their impact on flight safety
• Perform by implementing the best course of action