Aeronautical Decision Making

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. ADM builds upon the foundation of conventional decision making, but enhances the process to decrease the probability of pilot error. ADM provides a structure to analyze changes that occur during a flight and determine how these changes might affect a flight's safe outcome.
 
The ADM process addresses all aspects of decision making in the cockpit and identifies the steps involved in good decision making. These steps 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.
5.      Using all resources.
6.      Evaluating the effectiveness of one's ADM skills.
 
In conventional decision making, the need for a decision is triggered by recognition that something has changed or an expected change did not occur. Recognition of the change, or non-change, is a vital step in any decision making process. Not noticing the change in the situation can lead directly to a mishap. [Figure 1-7A: Decisions making] The change indicates that an appropriate response or action is necessary in order to modify the situation (or, at least, one of the elements that comprise it) and bring about a desired new situation. Therefore, situational awareness is the key to successful and safe decision making. At this point in the process, the pilot is faced with a need to evaluate the entire range of possible responses to the detected change and to determine the best course of action.
 
Tag: Flying instrument, instrument flight, aviation, piloting, instrument rating, instrument flying training, instrument flight rating, instrument rating requirement, instrument rating regulation, aircraft, aero plane, airplane, and aeronautical knowledge.
 
Figure 1-7B: Decisions making illustrates the ADM process, how this process expands conventional decision making, shows the interactions of the ADM steps, and how these steps can produce a safe outcome. Starting with the recognition of change, and following with an assessment of alternatives, a decision to act or not act is made, and the results are monitored. Pilots can use ADM to enhance their conventional decision making process because it: (1) increases their awareness of the importance of attitude in decision making; (2) teaches the ability to search for and establish relevance of information; (3) increases their motivation to choose and execute actions that ensure safety in the situational timeframe.
 
Aeronautical decision making (ADM): 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.
 
Situational awareness: Knowing where you are in regard to location, air traffic control, weather, regulations, aircraft status, and other factors that may affect flight.
 
 
The DECIDE Model
A tool to use in making good aeronautical decisions is the DECIDE Model. [Figure 1-7C: Decisions making] The DECIDE Model is a six step process intended to provide the pilot with a logical way of approaching decision making. The six elements of the DECIDE Model represent a continuous loop process to assist a pilot in the decision making when faced with a change in a situation that requires judgment. The model is primarily focused on the intellectual component, but can have an impact on the motivational component of judgment as well. If a pilot continually uses the DECIDE Model in all decision making, it becomes very natural and could result in better decisions being made under all types of situations.