Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) : What Is ADM? 3-P Model
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Pablo SánchezAeronautical Decision Making (ADM) : What Is ADM? 3-P Model
Uploaded by
Pablo SánchezAeronautical Decision Making (ADM)
The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) contends that many general aviation
(GA) accidents stem from inadequate Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) and resource
management skills. This fact sheet will discuss what ADM is and how the 3-P Model can help you
integrate ADM principles into your flying. We also review the many benefits of Flight Risk
Assessment Tools (FRATs).
What is ADM? 3-P Model
A common thread among many GA accidents is To help pilots better
the inability for pilots to execute sound decisions. It apply the principles of
could be a dismissal of a known risk, a willingness to ADM, the FAA adopted the
press on in conditions beyond a pilot’s capabilities, 3-P Model (Perceive —
or the absence of information to make a good Process — Perform). This
decision about that flight (e.g., inadequate weather three-step process offers a
briefing). ADM provides a systematic approach to simple, systematic
the mental processes used by pilots to consistently approach to accomplishing each ADM task during all
determine the best course of action in response to a phases of flight. To use it, you need to:
given set of circumstances. In other words, ADM is
Perceive the given set of circumstances for your
what pilots intend to do based on the latest
flight. That means gathering all relevant
information they have.
information pertaining to your flight. This allows
ADM is a continuous process from preflight to you to perceive the mission and the environment
tie-down. The three major categories of ADM are in which it will be flown. This step begins during
pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight. Each has its preflight but continues throughout the flight.
unique set of concerns. Understand that effective
Process the information you gather, evaluate its
risk management takes a great deal of
impact on flight safety, and determine your best
introspection, patience, and practice.
course of action. This analysis continues during
the flight as you receive new information.
Perform by implementing the best course of
action. Performance results become information
to be perceived and analyzed. Based on those
results, pilots will decide whether to continue
with the action or make a change.
Continued on Next Page
www.FAASafety.gov Download All Fact Sheets at bit.ly/GAFactSheets
AFS-850 21-01
Flight Risk Assessment Tools (FRAT)
Because every flight has some level of risk, it is
critical that pilots are able to differentiate, in
advance, between a low-risk flight and a high-risk
flight, and then establish a review process and
develop risk mitigation strategies. A FRAT enables
proactive hazard identification, is easy to use, and
can visually depict risk. It is an invaluable tool in
helping pilots enhance their ADM skills and should be
a part of every flight.
Although designs can vary, FRATs generally ask a
series of questions that help identify and quantify risk The ADM Process
for a flight. The FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam)
currently offers a FRAT tool that follows the PAVE A few key factors to identify while working
checklist, covering questions on the Pilot, Aircraft, through the ADM process are the ability to:
enViroment, and External Pressures. note that a change has (or hasn’t) occurred;
identify your own biases;
be honest with yourself and your ability;
set (and adhere to) personal minimums;
resist external pressures (perceived saving time/
money/face);
prepare (and use) a plan B;
and continuously evaluate the outcome.
Resources
For example, you may be asked how much rest FAA Safety Team Course — The Art of ADM
you’ve had, how much time you’ve had in the bit.ly/ADM-3P
aircraft, and what the weather conditions are for FAA Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge,
your destination. Based on the answers you supply, a Chapter 2, ADM (PDF download)
total risk score is calculated. bit.ly/PHAKchapter2
No FRAT can anticipate all the hazards that may
impact a particular flight, but there are some FAA Risk Management Handbook
common hazards that GA pilots encounter regularly. bit.ly/2ZlgqFQ
The FAASTeam’s easy-to-use and GA-focused
FRAT can get you started in effective safety risk Jan/Feb 2017 FAA Safety Briefing — Risk
management. The FRAT is currently available as an Management:
automated spreadsheet available at bit.ly/
FAASTeamFRAT. “Risky Business: The What, How, and Why of Risk
Management”
https://adobe.ly/2iBEi3h
“Say Ahh ... A Pilot’s Guide to Self-Assessing Risk”
https://adobe.ly/2ibKIH0
“Is My Aircraft Right for Flight? The Importance
of Preflight Prep”
https://adobe.ly/2iePJ4p