Risk Assessment & Mitigation Flashcards
7 cards from real AME practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Risk Assessment & Mitigation flashcards as text
A pilot presents with a history of spontaneous pneumothorax resolved 18 months ago with no recurrence. The primary aviation-specific risk concern that drives FAA evaluation is:
Answer: Recurrent pneumothorax causing sudden incapacitation or hypoxia at altitude
Recurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax during flight could cause rapid hypoxia and incapacitation, especially at altitude where air expansion worsens the pneumothorax.
Under FAA risk assessment guidelines, which medication class used for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is acceptable for Special Issuance certification?
Answer: Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine under specific conditions
The FAA may consider non-stimulant ADHD medications like atomoxetine under a Special Issuance pathway, whereas stimulant medications are disqualifying due to cardiovascular and CNS effects.
A pilot recently underwent successful ablation for Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. What is the FAA's minimum post-procedure waiting period before Special Issuance consideration?
Answer: 3 months with documented successful ablation and electrophysiology report
The FAA requires a minimum 3-month post-ablation period with documentation of successful accessory pathway elimination to assess recurrence risk before Special Issuance.
An AME is evaluating a military veteran applying for a first-class certificate with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) 5 years ago with full recovery. What is the most appropriate risk assessment action?
Answer: Issue the certificate after reviewing complete neuropsychological testing confirming full cognitive recovery
Documented full cognitive recovery on neuropsychological testing is the evidence base required to demonstrate that mTBI sequelae no longer pose an incapacitation risk.
Which scenario represents a situation where an AME should apply the 'dual-pilot versus single-pilot' risk distinction in certification decision-making?
Answer: A first-officer with a treated psychiatric condition where the captain provides an operational safety redundancy
The FAA recognizes that multi-crew operations provide redundancy that can mitigate individual pilot incapacitation risk, potentially allowing Special Issuance for conditions disqualifying in single-pilot contexts.
A third-class applicant reports a history of gastric bypass surgery 2 years ago with successful weight loss. What is the AME's primary risk assessment concern for aviation safety?
Answer: Malabsorption-related nutritional deficiencies (B12, iron) causing fatigue or neuropathy
Post-bariatric surgery malabsorption can cause B12 deficiency neuropathy and anemia-related fatigue, both of which can impair pilot performance and require monitoring.
When an AME is assessing an applicant for BasicMed eligibility, what is the fundamental difference in the risk assessment framework compared to traditional FAA medical certification?
Answer: BasicMed shifts responsibility to the pilot and personal physician to determine fitness, with the AME completing a one-time checklist
Under BasicMed, the risk assessment responsibility shifts primarily to the pilot and their personal physician using the CMEC checklist, with AMEs only performing an initial examination.