Crew Resource Management Flashcards

During a complex sUAS mapping mission, the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) is focused on the data display while the Visual Observer (VO) reports increasing wind speeds and darkening skies from the west. What is the most effective application of Crew Resource Management (CRM) in this situation?

Answer: The RPIC should acknowledge the VO's report, pause the mapping task to personally assess the changing weather, and discuss a revised plan, such as returning to base.

Effective CRM involves utilizing all available resources, including crew members. The RPIC must actively listen to the VO, integrate their observations with other data, and collaboratively decide on the safest course of action, prioritizing safety over mission completion.

A remote pilot, feeling pressured to complete a job, decides to fly a mission despite the sUAS battery showing signs of degradation. The pilot thinks, "Accidents happen to other people, I'm experienced enough to handle this." Which hazardous attitude is being displayed?

Answer: Invulnerability

The attitude of invulnerability is characterized by the belief that accidents won't happen to you. This mindset can lead pilots to take unnecessary risks, such as flying with questionable equipment, because they don't believe they will face negative consequences.

Which of the following is a primary contributor to a loss of situational awareness during an sUAS operation?

Answer: Excessive focus on a single task, such as framing a photograph, leading to inattention to the aircraft's position and surrounding airspace.

Situational awareness involves perceiving all relevant factors about the flight. When a pilot becomes fixated on one element, like the camera feed, they can fail to notice other critical information, such as changing weather, low battery levels, or other air traffic, leading to a dangerous loss of awareness.

The primary goal of Crew Resource Management (CRM) in the context of sUAS operations is to:

Answer: Effectively use all available resources, including personnel, hardware, and information, to mitigate errors and improve safety.

CRM's fundamental purpose is to enhance safety by ensuring the entire crew and all available resources are used effectively. This includes fostering good communication, teamwork, and decision-making to manage and mitigate human error.

During a pre-flight briefing, the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) states, "The planned flight path will be along the north perimeter." To ensure effective communication, what is the best response from the Visual Observer (VO)?

Answer: "Confirming, the flight path is along the north perimeter."

This is an example of closed-loop communication. By repeating the key elements of the instruction, the VO confirms to the RPIC that the message was received and understood correctly, reducing the chance of misunderstandings.

A remote pilot is operating alone and encounters an unexpected software glitch that causes erratic control inputs. The pilot begins to think, "There's nothing I can do, the drone is going to crash." This mindset is an example of which hazardous attitude?

Answer: Anti-Authority

The hazardous attitude of resignation occurs when a pilot feels powerless and gives up, believing they cannot influence the outcome of a situation. The correct response is to continue actively seeking solutions and flying the aircraft until all options are exhausted.