Aeronautical Decision-Making and Judgment
Decision Frameworks
ADM is about systematically choosing the safest course. Know the decision-making models: the 3P model (Perceive, Process, Perform), the DECIDE model, and the IMSAFE checklist for fitness (Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion). Also know the hazardous attitudes (anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, resignation) and their antidotes.
Risk Assessment
Use a risk matrix or the PAVE checklist (Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures) to assess a flight. Identify hazards, assess likelihood and severity, and mitigate. Common sUA hazards: people on the ground, manned traffic, wind, battery, link loss, and airspace conflicts. External pressure - a client deadline, a crowd waiting - is a classic trap that pushes pilots to fly when they should not.
Situational Awareness and Judgment
Maintain situational awareness of aircraft position, battery, wind, and traffic. Recognize when a plan is degrading and change it early. The PIC has final authority and responsibility; a conservative decision to cancel is always defensible.
Traps
Questions often describe a scenario with mounting pressure and ask what the PIC should do - the answer is usually to delay or cancel, not to press on. Another trap: confusing the hazardous attitudes with the antidotes.
Rule of Thumb
"If you have to talk yourself into it, don't fly." Apply IMSAFE and PAVE before launch, and treat external pressure as a red flag.