Aeronautical Decision-Making Flashcards

What is 'controlled flight into terrain' (CFIT) equivalent in sUAS operations, and which ADM factor most commonly causes it?

Answer: Inadvertent flight into an obstacle — caused by loss of situational awareness

The sUAS equivalent of CFIT is flying into obstacles or terrain, most often caused by distraction, attention tunneling, or loss of situational awareness.

A remote pilot is about to launch when they notice a slight headache and mild dizziness. Under the IMSAFE checklist, the correct action is to:

Answer: Postpone the flight until symptoms resolve and the cause is identified

The 'I' (Illness) element of IMSAFE requires pilots to ground themselves when experiencing any symptoms that could impair performance, regardless of mission urgency.

Which term describes the mental state where a pilot perceives, processes, and acts correctly but then fails to monitor whether the outcome matched expectations?

Answer: Feedback loop failure

A feedback loop failure occurs when the pilot completes an action but does not verify the result, leaving an uncorrected error undetected.

A remote PIC realizes midway through a flight that wind speeds have exceeded sUAS performance limits. The pilot knows landing now will damage a valuable payload. The ADM-correct choice is to:

Answer: Return immediately and accept potential payload risk to prevent loss of control

Exceeding aircraft performance limits creates an unacceptable risk of loss of control; protecting the aircraft and public safety outweighs payload concerns.

In a multi-person UAS crew, who is legally responsible if the visual observer fails to call out a hazard that results in an incident?

Answer: The remote pilot-in-command, regardless of crew roles

The remote PIC retains ultimate legal responsibility for the safe conduct of the flight, even when crew members are assigned supporting roles.

Which scenario best demonstrates effective aeronautical decision-making under time pressure?

Answer: A pilot postpones a non-emergency flight after noticing marginal weather rather than risk the operation

Postponing a non-emergency flight when conditions are marginal demonstrates sound ADM — no schedule pressure justifies unnecessary risk.

What role does 'experience' play in aeronautical decision-making according to FAA guidance?

Answer: Experience can reduce vigilance by creating complacency and false confidence

While experience builds skill, the FAA warns that high-experience pilots can become complacent, underestimating risks they have successfully navigated before.