Private Pilot · Chapter 13 of 14

Aeronautical Decision Making & Risk Management

12 free practice questions from the 206 in this chapter of StudyWren Aviation. Pick an answer and check it to see the explanation and its FAA source. Part of the free Private Pilot practice test.

ADM Fundamentals PAR-13-004

An accident report shows that a pilot departed late, skipped a fuel check to save time, pressed on toward a destination with lowering ceilings, and finally ran out of fuel while searching for an open airport. How does the FAA characterize this kind of accident?

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The answer is B: A chain of poor decisions and events that together produced the accident

The PHAK notes that a single decision or event rarely causes an accident; a series of events and the resulting decisions form a chain leading to the outcome. Breaking any link—checking the fuel, accepting a delay, or diverting early—could have prevented this accident.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.I.H

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Hazardous Attitudes & Antidotes PAR-13-030

A newly certificated private pilot hears that another pilot in her club flew through a line of rain showers last week. Determined to prove she is every bit as capable, she plans her next trip straight through a similar line of showers. Which hazardous attitude is driving her plan?

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The answer is B: Macho

Accepting a risk specifically to prove capability relative to others is the macho attitude. The PHAK notes that although this pattern is often thought of as a male characteristic, women are equally susceptible.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.I.H

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Decision-Making Models PAR-13-049

Facing haze and pockets of IMC over mountain ridges, a pilot reroutes over the valleys, identifies VFR alternates near the destination, files a VFR flight plan, and requests flight following. Under TEAM, these actions are examples of which option?

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The answer is B: Mitigate

These steps reduce the likelihood or severity of an accident without eliminating the hazard or simply accepting it as is, so they mitigate the risk. The PHAK's 3P example uses exactly these mitigations for a mountain cross-country.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.I.H

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Risk Assessment & Mitigation PAR-13-092

Why does the PHAK call management of external pressures the single most important key to risk management?

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The answer is C: External pressure can cause a pilot to ignore all the other risk factors

The PHAK states that external pressure is the one risk factor category that can cause a pilot to ignore all the other risk factors. External pressures put time-related pressure on the pilot and figure into a majority of accidents.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.I.H

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Personal Minimums PAR-13-096

Your airplane's AFM lists a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 15 knots. Your largest crosswind experience is 10 knots. According to the PHAK, what should your personal crosswind limit be?

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The answer is C: 10 knots, until additional training with a CFI expands your experience

The PHAK uses this exact example: the 10-knot crosswind experience level is the pilot's personal limitation until additional training with a CFI provides experience in stronger crosswinds. Exceeding it without training could be unsafe even though the airplane can handle 15 knots.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.I.H

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Operational Pitfalls PAR-13-111

A pilot is repeatedly surprised by ATC calls, forgets to switch fuel tanks on schedule, and is still running the before-landing checklist on short final. Which operational pitfall does this pattern show?

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The answer is C: Getting behind the aircraft

Getting behind the aircraft results from allowing events or the situation to control the pilot's actions, and it is marked by a constant state of surprise at what happens next. Preparing for high-workload phases during low-workload periods helps keep the pilot ahead of the airplane.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.II.B

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Situational Awareness PAR-13-122

In cruise, a pilot spends several minutes troubleshooting an ammeter that shows a slight discharge. When she looks up, the airplane has descended 400 feet and turned 30° off heading. What lesson does this illustrate?

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The answer is C: A minor problem can become dangerous when it diverts attention from flying

The PHAK notes that many flight deck distractions begin as a minor problem, such as a gauge that is not reading correctly, but result in accidents as the pilot diverts attention to the perceived problem and neglects proper control of the aircraft. Fly the airplane first, and troubleshoot in small increments.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.I.H

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Single-Pilot Resource Management PAR-13-134

When is the best time to review the destination airport diagram, preset frequencies, and complete the descent checklist?

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The answer is C: During cruise, well before reaching the busy terminal area

The PHAK's workload-management guidance says to prepare for high-workload periods during times of low workload—reviewing charts, setting radios, and performing checklists well in advance so attention can focus on traffic and ATC instructions near the airport.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.II.B

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Automation Management PAR-13-156

Before departure, you notice that a leg distance in your GPS flight plan doesn't match the distance on your paper navigation log. What does the PHAK recommend?

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The answer is A: Double-check the computer entry rather than assume it is correct

The PHAK recommends checking all programming on the ground and comparing it against a paper log; if the two do not match, do not assume the computer data is correct—double-check the entry. Incorrect keystrokes are easy to miss during high-workload periods.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.II.B

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Stress Management PAR-13-165

A pilot is preoccupied during a flight with worry about a sick child at home. Which type of stressor is this?

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The answer is B: Psychological

Social or emotional factors—such as a death in the family, a divorce, a sick child, or a demotion at work—are psychological stressors in the PHAK. Psychological stress can also come from mental workload, such as analyzing a problem or navigating.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.I.H

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Human Error & Threat-and-Error Management PAR-13-178

Which defense against threats and errors does the Risk Management Handbook describe as 'the last resort'?

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The answer is A: Flying skills

The RMH calls flying skills the last resort: they become necessary after an undesired aircraft state develops that other defenses cannot remedy. Effective risk management and threat and error management usually prevent situations that require relying solely on flying skills.

Source: FAA-H-8083-2A Ch. 6 ACS PA.I.H

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CFIT & Loss of Control Prevention PAR-13-194

You will fly a technically advanced airplane at night near mountainous terrain. Which use of the avionics does the PHAK suggest as part of managing information for this flight?

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The answer is A: Display the terrain awareness page on the multifunction display

Among its examples of managing information for a specific operation, the PHAK recommends using the terrain awareness page on the MFD for a night or IMC flight in or near the mountains, and the nearest-airports inset at night or over inhospitable terrain. The moving map is never a substitute for a current chart.

Source: PHAK Ch. 2 ACS PA.II.B

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