April 20, 2011
Aeronautical Decision Making Skills Put to the Test
As part of the FAA Wings program I recently took and completed the "Art of Aeronautical Decision Making" online course. The FAA defines Aeronautical Decision-Making as a "Systematic approach to the mental process of evaluating a given set of circumstance and determining the best course of action." More practically they use a framework for ADM and risk management: Perceive - Process - Perform.
- PERCEIVE the "given set of circumstances" for your flight
- PROCESS by evaluating their impact on flight safety
- PERFORM by implementing the best course of action
AOPA's Air Safety Foundation uses "Anticipate, Recognize, Act". Both promote identifying an issue, determining a plan to mitigate or eliminate risk then putting that plan into action. ASF says "...the thing that seems to cause pilots the most difficulty -- is recognizing potential hazards and taking timely action to avoid them."
With every flight, pilots get a chance to use their ADM skills. However, I did not anticipate the level to which these skills would be used when a fellow flight club member invited me to join him for a flight in his Columbia 400 (now called the Cessna 400). The mission was to fly from Chicago to Miami University in Oxford, OH (my alma mater) to pick up his daughter and bring her back to Chicago. He was planning to file an IFR flightplan and use supplemental oxygen allowing us to fly at 18,000 feet, more than double what I typically cruise at. I figured this flight would be a great learning experience for me, having never flown in a Columbia 400 or having much experience with instrument flight plans. Little did I know what a great learning experience this flight would become.
About forty-five minutes from our destination airport cruising along at FL180 and enjoying a 100 knot tailwind that was helping us achieve a 290 knot ground speed, Ray and I felt a hiccup in the engine and what felt like a short-lived decrease in power. We looked at each other than quickly switched the G1000 Multi-Function Display (MFD) engine page to check for any anomalies. There were no red flags As we were doing that the issue replicated itself. At that point we agreed an issue might be imminent and that he would continue to fly the plane and I would take over the radios if an emergency developed. We knew altitude was on our side and we agreed on an airport we could safely glide to while we troubleshooted the issue. Unfortunately, we had not identified a likely cause when the issue happened twice more in short succession. Each time we were seeing manifold pressure decrease with the hiccup and we noticed the oil temperature was lower than normally expected but still no clear cause or resolution presented itself.
Despite that we had a specific mission for this flight, "to pick up his daughter", we agreed there was a significant risk at hand and that we would be best to troubleshoot this issue on the ground and have a mechanic checkout the engine. It would have been easy for Ray to have stayed in "Mission" mode or to be swayed by Get-There-Itis and keep pushing through. But, we are both all too familiar that too many pilots have lost their lives or their aircraft with such decisions.
Without thinking about it we had just completed Perceive and Process in the FAA's Solution and Recognize in the Air Safety Foundation's thought process. Now it was time to Act or Perform. We agreed now was a good time for some Crew Resource Management (CRM) so Ray continued to focus on flying the plane while I took over responsibilities for radio communications. We informed Air Traffic Control that we wished to divert to Delaware County Airport in Muncie, IN. As we switched over to the Delaware County Tower the controller was aware we had been experiencing some engine irregularities and radioed "Columbia N262RK are you declaring an emergency?", a phrase no pilot wants to hear. I was relieved to be able to respond "Negative, we are not declaring an emergency and we have the runway in sight." A few minutes later we were safely on the ground.
A few years ago I made a precautionary diversion due to deteriorating weather conditions, this was the first diversion related to a mechanical malfunction but proved to be my best example in my flying experiences of appropriate use of Aeronautical Decision Making skills. A few days later I learned the mechanics determined the issue was caused by pin size holes in an exhaust host to the engine manifold, which I guess is common in turbo planes. The plane was not in imminent danger but I believe we made the right decision mitigating the risk.
A wise person once said "the difference between an ordeal and an adventure is your attitude" and on that day we had the right attitude and enjoyed our afternoon at the quiet Muncie airport enjoying a meal at Kacy J's Airport terminal restaurant while we waited for the cavalry. Marc, the Leading Edge Flying Club President, offered to fly down in the club Cirrus SR20 to help us complete the mission. As a result I got another new experience out of the day. It was my first time flying in the Cirrus SR20 which Marc let me fly for much of the short flight from Muncie, IN to Oxford, OH. I enjoyed a brief visit to Oxford before we turned for home. With four passengers and some baggage we had to manage fuel and make a fuel stop in Lafayette, IN before successfully completing the trip back to Chicago.
Although the flight did not go as planned, I had a great day of flying and aviation camaraderie none the less. Below are some photos from the day.
Great post, thanks for sharing. Any hint about what the problem was?
Posted by: Vincent at April 21, 2011 1:58 AMAlways a good reminder about keeping things in perspective and making the right call. I didn't realize your trip to OXD was filled with so much adventure. Great post... and great photos!
Posted by: Steve at April 21, 2011 11:24 AMVincent it was pin sized holes in a exhaust host to the engine manifold.
Posted by: Todd at April 22, 2011 9:49 AMAs a professional aviator (my career) I'm always please to read about excellent usage of ADM in GA flying.
Pilots can never be too cautious when your aircraft doesn't seem to be running right. Though it turned out to be a rather minor fix, you guys made an excellent decision to land and seek maintenance.
Great job Ray and Todd!
Clear Skies & Calm Winds,
Len @ ThePilotReport.com
Posted by: Len Costa at April 22, 2011 10:41 AMI love the statement "the difference between an ordeal and an adventure is your attitude" - this is so true.
Over the years I have seen a number of pilots depart for that big hangar in the sky, and those who were involved in accidents were pilots who more often than not had a poor attitude.
I have long maintained most accidents begin to occur before the pilot enters the cockpit.
Posted by: JetAviator7 at April 22, 2011 11:51 AMgreat, your blog is amazing, i like it
Posted by: louis vuitton outlet at May 20, 2011 4:15 AMGood article.....and a valuable lesson. In a case like this, it is better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than to be in the air, wishing you were on the ground.
Posted by: Doug Sims at August 2, 2011 12:42 PMmed praktisk, originalt og læder touch, opfindsomhed kreativt design og smukke stil flygte fra andre mærker, til klassiske antikke stil, begunstiget af stjerner i Europa og Amerika.
Posted by: Search Engine Optimisation at September 19, 2012 5:36 AMJust wanted to drop a comment and say I am new to your blog and really like what I am reading. I am definitely bookmarking this to come back and read later. Ive joined your feed and look ahead to in search of more of your excellent post. Thanks
Posted by: national association of bankruptcy attorneys at April 19, 2013 2:13 AMJust wanted to drop a comment and say I am new to your blog and really like what I am reading. I am definitely bookmarking this to come back and read later. Ive joined your feed and look ahead to in search of more of your excellent post. Thanks
Getting this article I am really so impressed...!! It is really so helpful to me. It is that I was looking forward to get such a post. A big thank for sharing this post. Keep it up....
I discovered something amazing in your article really remarkable in fact. I seriously enjoyed reading it and you simply make quite some great points. I am surely gonna bookmark this web-site for that foreseeable future! Really wonderful blog! Thanks mate.
Posted by: dialysis malpractice at April 26, 2013 5:44 AMTherefore, essays are (by nature) concise and require clarity in purpose and direction.
You must have perfect timing. I was looking for an article on this same subject. Your post is such an exquisite article. The extensive detail and information fit the bill.
Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additionally really creative too. There tend to be not many people who can certainly write not so simple posts that artistically. Continue the nice writing..
I figured this flight would be a great learning experience for me, having never flown in a Columbia 400 or having much experience with instrument flight plans. Little did I know what a great learning experience this flight would become.
Posted by: Sydney Pianos at May 6, 2013 3:37 AMYou are so cool! I don’t suppose I have read anything like this before. So nice to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. Really thank you for starting this up.
Posted by: credit inquiry removal at May 6, 2013 5:46 AMI figured this flight would be a great learning experience for me, having never flown in a Columbia 400 or having much experience with instrument flight plans. Little did I know what a great learning experience this flight would become.
Posted by: Syntricate Phone Accessories at May 8, 2013 4:47 AMFunny, I was discussing this thing with my older sister the other day, now I’ll have one particular much more argument in my hand when it’ll appear to confrontation when once more.
Posted by: polypropylene mesh at May 10, 2013 4:25 AMI’m still learning from you, but I try to reach my goals. Since then enjoy reading all the information that appears on your blog.Keep come. Loved it!
somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. Really thank you for starting this up.
Posted by: http://film-streaming-italia.com/ at May 16, 2013 2:34 AMINteresting post. I was enjoyed when I was reading it. Pictures are wonderful!
Posted by: writing-essay.org/writer at May 16, 2013 4:35 PMThanks for the nice post here. Google is everywhere but what you can do about it? Absolutely nothing. Just keep doing your job.
I figured this flight would be a great learning experience for me, having never flown in a Columbia 400 or having much experience with instrument flight plans. Little did I know what a great learning experience this flight would become.
Posted by: marketing for electrical contractors at May 18, 2013 1:19 AMASF says "...the thing that seems to cause pilots the most difficulty -- is recognizing potential hazards and taking timely action to avoid them."
With every flight, pilots get a chance to u
Posted by: bingo online at May 18, 2013 6:48 AMOne of my pastimes is to search for wonderful weblog online. Recently, I saw this blog on hybrid annuity. I additionally saw your internet site and I just had to comment. I adore everything you have posted right here! There is surely a lot to be learned from blog sites like yours. Remarkable Job!
That's actually worked out pretty well for us. We are generally in the same time zone as most countries in Africa; a reasonably good commercial air access into the continent, so that's worked out quite well for us."
Always inadvertently see things like this, I am very interested, unable to hold oneself back to share with the people around me have a look. I support your ideas, and I wish you make persistent efforts.
A few minutes later we were safely on the ground.
Posted by: cavallimania.it at May 23, 2013 4:58 AMif you are luking to buy a smartphone then i would say android one is better bcz it has more interesting apps than windows.
The impetus for this presentation came from comments made to us by faculty and students regarding the availability and use of term paper sites.
It has several nice hotels that are suitable for newly married and honeymooning couples. One of the finest Shimal hotels for honeymoon is Hotel De Park that is located on the Shimla Highway and enjoys wide recommendation among guests. The hotel offers a nice restaurant, bar, parking facility, etc.
Posted by: Honeymoon Hotel Bangkok at May 27, 2013 6:24 AMInteresting information.The Truth Plus Sensitivity, Specificity and All That Is Decent to Reveal About Predictive Values This theme serves to educate people in their daily life,cheap writing services
thanks to people like you we have more knowledge about this important issue.
Good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
Posted by: lowest price in india at May 29, 2013 5:46 PMReaders want to read something they did not know before. That is why it is better that you should relevant research before writing. You will be able to write better post this way.
In reality prosperous content and extraordinarily functional information. I got it my elucidation from now. I vastly counsel his/her moving parts with the functional enlightening information. Thanks a lot……
I trust it now! You can feel multiple orders. This service is no two ways about it great with expeditious delivery. They was there when I wanted it the most. Now I can rest easeful apperceived I can depend on custom writing for my future demands.
I know your expertise on this. I must say we should have an online discussion on this. Writing only comments will close the discussion straight away! And will restrict the benefits from this information.
At this point the basic look of your explosion is finished. You can stop here if you'd like or go a little bit further by adding some extra details. In the next step I will show you what extra details I chose to add.
Those principles also acted to be a great way to be sure that other individuals have similar passion like mine to know many more related to this problem. I know there are lots of more pleasant sessions in the future for people who find out your website.
The Raphael is designed to offer a uniquely Kansas City experience, combining the intimacy and charm of a locally significant landmark with highly individualized service.
Posted by: Khao San Inn at June 6, 2013 5:04 AM I would be very thankful if you continue with quality what you are serving right now with your blog…I really enjoyed it…and i really appriciate to you for this….its always pleasure to read so….Thanks for sharing!!!
Both promote identifying an issue, determining a plan to mitigate or eliminate risk then putting that plan into action. ASF says "...the thing that seems to cause pilots the most difficulty -- is recognizing potential hazards and taking timely action to avoid them."
Posted by: hotel packages in jaipur at June 7, 2013 6:28 AMBuying gold in electronic form saves you from many hassels like purity, storage, security, taxes and reduction in weight.
Also there are no Long Term Capital Gains.
Is it possible that the young determine the manner in which ‘qualifications’ will be defined? Will educational quality and relevance improve if the youth-determined system was put in place?
This is very informative post regarding very vital issue. Thanks for describing such amazing facts. This video helped me a lot to increase my knowledge about this topic. Keep the quality in next posts as well.
