Aviation Risk Management
James M. Oyler
School of Aeronautics, Liberty University
AVIA 300: Aviation Safety
Professor Jason Puckett
April 8, 2024
Aviation Risk Management
The ongoing discussion of managing risks in aviation is a very important topic that
should always remain relevant from the time an individual begins as a student pilot through the
most senior airline captain. Managing risks in general, from an individual perspective, there must
be high moral and ethical standards in place. As Christians, we are taught to always do the right
things especially when no one is looking. We know we could never truly be by ourselves
because the Holy Spirit is omnipresent. Being raised in a Christian household, we often hear our
mothers tell us to never be caught doing something that you wouldn’t want Jesus to see you
doing. Even though we have all fallen short of the glory of God, it is through His Son that we can
be forgiven and repent of our shortcomings. However, here in the United States, the aviation's
governing body, the Federal Aviation Administration, is much more unforgiving when it comes
to actions carried out by aviators that are deemed unsafe or pose higher risk.
As we mature and realize that our Creator is indeed omnipresent, we understand how
important it is for us to have high morals and ethics not only in our homes but also out in public
and throughout our chosen profession. Possessing good morals and sound ethics is a prerequisite
for entry into professional aviation but sometimes a bad apple or two will slip through and is
eventually discovered. Hopefully before a loss of life has occurred. Mistakes are going to be
made and that is a fact of life. No matter how high a person's standards are, they are going to
make mistakes at some point. Everybody makes mistakes. It is the very reason why those that
make pencils attach erasers to the end of each one.
Therefore, the Federal Aviation Administration and the aviation sector have sought to
create methods of managing risks in the hopes that when mistakes do occur, they are fewer and
much father in between with less severity involved. Commercial aviation is the safest form of
transportation in the world today and we must work to ensure that it stays that way. The Federal
Aviation administration has adopted various methods that were designed to help mitigate events
that pose higher risks with the goal of safer outcomes. This begins with the pilot in command. It
matters not whether that pilot is a commercial or just a private pilot, they both have tremendous
responsibility.
The aviator must always be willing to be honest with themselves in determining if they
are ready to make a flight. One method used is the following acronym I.M.S.A.F.E. The “I”
represents the word illness. Asking the pilot to decide if he or she is physically well enough to
withstand the demands placed on pilots during flight. The next letter “M” represents the word
medication. Has the pilot taken any non-approved medication that might hinder a pilot's ability to
perform their duties? The letter “S” stands for stress. It begs the question, is the pilot under too
much stress to make sound decisions? The “A” represents alcohol. Has the pilot consumed any
form of alcoholic beverage in the previous eight (8) hours leading up to departure? Additionally,
pilots cannot fly with more than a .004 percent alcohol blood level. Fatigue is represented by the
letter “F”. Is the pilot getting enough sleep? Even though a lack of sleep is just one contributor
that causes fatigue, the pilot must be aware of the other factors that can cause fatigue. Finally, the
letter “E” stands for emotions. Is the pilot experiencing any type of negative emotional
conditions that would take away his or her ability to safely make the trip?
The acronym I.M.S.A.F.E. is one that is taught to student pilot during the first couple of
lessons and one that will be used throughout their flying career. It does a good job driving home
the message of taking care of oneself at the same time providing a method of self-evaluation.
Understanding one’s limitations is a key component in avoiding hazards that can lead to
incidents and accidents. It is highly encouraged that pilots create a list of their personal
minimums when considring the flight environment. Understanding the difference between being
proficient and current is also a tremendous asset to pilots both young and old. The key to truly
grasping what it means to manage risks in aviation is to fully understand one's own limitations as
it pertains to the type of aircraft being flown, the weather, the terrain, external influences, and the
possibility for a hazardous attitude to show up. When we consider everything mentioned above
and apply them to the night flying environment, the risks associated increase exponentially.
Tools for Assessing Flight Risks
The Federal Aviaton Administration is constantly researching ways to improve the safety
in all facets of aviation. One method that the Administrator created for the assessment that each
pilot can use to determine if the risks involved are too great for a specified flight is the Flight
Risk Assessment Tool or F.R.A.T. A frat can either be a numerical or narrative spread sheet used
to help pilot identify the known possible hazards.
A numerical F.R.A.T. lists different hazards and an associated number, which indicates
the significance of each hazard. The pilot selects the relevant hazards and derives a total score.
Typically, the score falls into three ranges. If the total score is below a certain minimum, the
F.R.A.T. indicates low risk. If it is in an intermediate range, the pilot is advised to “exercise
caution.” If the score is above an upper threshold, the F.R.A.T. indicates danger.
The narrative F.R.A.T. asks the user to identify hazards and associate each hazard with
risk. While taking more time to complete, it addresses many of the disadvantages of a numerical
FRAT. After identifying the hazards, the process includes a thorough analysis and management
of each risk. (FAA, 2022)
There is a plethora of tools and methods for pilots to use to determine if the conditions
are right foer a safe flight. It doesn’t do one bit of good if they are not being used. This comes
back to having high moral character as a pilot knowing that you are going to make every possible
effort to identify hazards that exist as a method of determining the risks associated with a
particular flight. Ultimately, it falls upon the pilot in command to have exhausted all possible
methods of risk assessment. As we make these decisions, we ask the Lord to help us to make the
right decisions at the right time so we may live to not only fly again but to continue to be His
servant.
The following scripture has been included to help others who read this manuscript and
they too can find peace and comfort in doing the right things in life whether they are popular or
unpopular.
“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on
and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 22:3
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”
Proverbs 21:5
(A Biblical Perspective of Risk Management – Rod and Julie Davis, 2019)
References
FAA. (2022). Risk management handbook Federal Aviation Administration.
https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-06/risk_management_handbook_2A.pdf
A Biblical Perspective of Risk Management – Rod and Julie Davis. (2019, November 7).
https://rodjuliedavis.org/2019/11/07/a-biblical-perspective-of-risk-management/
