Chapter 1: Risk Management and Single-Pilot Resource Management
Single pilot resource management
Topic Resources
Key Takeaways:
Single Pilot Resource Management: Single Pilot Resource Management emphasizes the solo pilot's use of all available resources, both internal and external, to ensure a safe and efficient flight.
Focus on Key Elements: SRM focuses on decision-making, automation management, and risk assessment as essential elements for improving general aviation safety.
Continuous Practice and Training: Mastering SRM requires continuous practice, formal training in risk management, aeronautical decision-making, and situational awareness.
Automation and Situational Awareness: Effective SRM includes managing automation appropriately, avoiding over-reliance, and maintaining situational awareness through constant monitoring and communication.
Stress Management and Decision-Making: Key SRM skills involve stress management and decision-making, ensuring pilots can handle equipment failures or adverse weather effectively.
Single Pilot Resource Management (SRM) focuses on a solo pilot's ability to efficiently manage all available resources—internal, external, and systems—to ensure a safe and efficient flight. Unlike Crew Resource Management (CRM), which involves multiple crew members, SRM is tailored to single-pilot operations and emphasizes decision-making, risk management, and automation handling.
What is Single Pilot Resource Management?: SRM blends technical skills and mental agility to manage flight planning, contingencies, and available resources.
Covers systematic risk management across all phases of flight.
Involves using ATC, aircraft instruments, and weather sources effectively.
Balances proactive planning with real-time decision-making.
SRM and the 5P Check: The 5P model (Plan, Plane, Pilot, Passengers, Programming) guides pilots to reassess risks continuously during flight.
Plan: Monitor flight planning, weather, fuel, and route changes.
Plane: Regularly assess aircraft systems and mechanical condition.
Pilot: Evaluate physical and mental fitness for the flight.
Passengers: Manage interactions and influences from passengers.
Programming: Understand and effectively use aircraft automation systems.
Information Management: Effective SRM depends on processing and understanding information from all flight systems to support good decision-making.
Conceptual understanding of systems is key.
Active data monitoring and prioritization are crucial for safe operation.
Task Management: Pilots must manage multiple tasks simultaneously by prioritizing attention and workload effectively.
Involves identifying critical tasks versus lower-priority ones.
Good attention management helps prevent errors under pressure.
Automation Management: Pilots must avoid over-reliance on automation to maintain situational awareness and manual proficiency.
Regular practice with manual and automated systems is essential.
Automation should support, not replace, pilot decision-making.