RPC Aeronautical Decision-Making 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hazardous attitude is characterized by a drone pilot who says 'Nothing bad will ever happen to me — I've flown here dozens of times without incident'?
- Impulsivity
- Invulnerability (Correct answer)
- Resignation
- Machismo
Correct answer: Invulnerability
Invulnerability is the belief that accidents happen to others, not to oneself, which causes pilots to take unwarranted risks.
Question 2: A remote pilot notices strong gusty winds developing but proceeds anyway because the flight 'should only take a few more minutes.' Which IMSAFE checklist item is most relevant here?
- Illness
- Stress
- Emotion (Correct answer)
- Fatigue
Correct answer: Emotion
Stress, including time pressure and urgency, impairs judgment and is evaluated under the 'S' (Stress) element of the IMSAFE checklist.
Question 3: During a Part 107 operation, a remote pilot-in-command delegates the visual observer role but retains which ultimate responsibility?
- Monitoring radio frequencies
- Maintaining visual line of sight from the launch point
- Final authority over the safe conduct of the flight (Correct answer)
- Filing a NOTAM before flight
Correct answer: Final authority over the safe conduct of the flight
The remote PIC retains final authority and responsibility for the safe operation of the UAS regardless of crew delegation.
Question 4: What decision-making model uses the steps Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, and Evaluate?
- PAVE checklist
- DECIDE model (Correct answer)
- 3P model
- IMSAFE checklist
Correct answer: DECIDE model
The DECIDE model is a six-step structured process for aeronautical decision-making used to work through in-flight problems.
Question 5: A remote pilot feels fatigue but completes the flight anyway to avoid disappointing a paying client. Which hazardous attitude is being demonstrated?
- Anti-authority
- Resignation
- Macho (Correct answer)
- Complacency
Correct answer: Macho
The 'Macho' hazardous attitude involves taking risks to prove toughness or avoid appearing weak, even when safety is compromised.
Question 6: Which concept describes a pilot's tendency to continue a plan of action despite changing conditions that would justify stopping?
- Situational awareness
- Plan continuation bias (Correct answer)
- Risk offset
- Decision inertia
Correct answer: Plan continuation bias
Plan continuation bias (also called get-there-itis) causes pilots to press on with an original plan even when new hazards make it unsafe.
Question 7: Under the 3P (Perceive, Process, Perform) aeronautical decision-making model, what happens in the 'Process' step?
- The pilot identifies all potential hazards in the environment
- The pilot evaluates the impact of hazards and selects a course of action (Correct answer)
- The pilot executes the chosen action and monitors results
- The pilot files required documentation post-flight
Correct answer: The pilot evaluates the impact of hazards and selects a course of action
In the 'Process' step, the pilot evaluates perceived hazards, weighs the risks, and chooses the best course of action before acting.
RPC Aeronautical Decision-Making 2
Which hazardous attitude is characterized by a drone pilot who says 'Nothing bad will ever happen to me — I've flown here dozens of times without incident'?