Module 1 — Introduction to Pilot Decision Making

OBJECTIVE:

At the end of this module, the participant will be able to describe what the PDM Course strives to achieve.

LESSON TITLE:

COURSE INTRODUCTION

TRAINING TIME:

15 minutes

LESSON OBJECTIVE:

As above.

KEY TEACHING RESULTS:

  • GENERAL INTRODUCTION
  • COURSE OUTLINE

[Slide #1] LINK

Advances in technology, operating procedures, training and regulations have contributed to the steady decline in the aviation accident rate.

Since the early 1970s, however, the slope of this decline has flattened.

[Slide #2]

Should the forecast doubling of air traffic materialize, given the same accident rate, it is predicted that, by 2010, there will be one commercial jet transport loss per week somewhere in the world.

It is said that up to 80% of all air operator incidents and accidents are caused by human error. Many aircraft accident investigations reveal that, armed with good equipment, training and procedures and information, pilots made bad decisions. Pilots were in positions to prevent the accidents from happening but, tragically, did not.

[Slide #3] AIM

The goal of the Pilot Decision Making (PDM) course is to help pilots make better decisions by introducing them to the concepts, principles and practices of good decision-making.

[Slide #4] MOTIVATION

Studies conducted around the world have shown that pilots who received decision-making training:

  • Outperformed their contemporaries during in-flight tests; and
  • Made 10-50% fewer decision-making errors.

And the more comprehensive the training program, the better the results.

[Slides #5-9] OUTLINE

This PDM course is intended to raise your awareness of the factors that affect pilot decision-making.

To this end, this course is divided into five (5) modules:

Module 1 — Introduction

  • General Introduction and Course Outline

Module 2 — The Decision-making Process

  • Model of Pilot Performance
  • Decision-making Process
  • Pilot Performance Levels
  • Factors

Module 3 — Human Performance Factors

  • Physical
  • Physiological
  • Psychological
  • Organizational 
  • Cultural
  • Communication
  • Judgment 
  • Countermeasures

Module 4 — Human Error

  • Error Classification
  • Latent Conditions
  • Countermeasures

Module 5 — Risk Management

  • Definitions
  • Goal
  • Risk Management Process
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Scoring
  • Risk Criteria
  • Risk Options
  • Risk Management for Pilots