Single Pilot Resource Management

Read through Chapter 17 of the PHAK at right to help prepare for this section.

I’ve added additional notes below to help you focus your preparation efforts.

Aeronautical Decision Making

• You  must be able to describe and explain how you use a decision making model such as DECIDE or 3P.
• You  must be able to explain the hazardous attitudes and their antidotes.

Risk Management

• Use the PAVE checklist on your training checklist to identify all risks.
• Be able to explain your personal limits and how you will apply them when making go/no-go decisions.

Task Management

• This goes beyond Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.
• When planning your cross country, you should consider when your workload will be heaviest (departure and arrival) and plan to complete checklists and other tasks during lower workload period.  For example, you should obtain your destination weather or ATIS as early as possible (40 NM out conditions permit) so that you can plan your arrival and pattern entry.

Situational Awareness

• The highest levels of situation awareness (SA) demonstrated by highly experienced pilots.  These experienced pilots demonstrate high levels of SA because they anticipate potential contingencies and are constantly evaluating the current situation to detect changes.  These experienced pilots spend more time gathering information during their preflight planning than less experienced pilots so that they can plan for the possible contingencies.

Controlled Flight into Terrain

• Review the CFIT training aid.
• As you prepare for your cross country flight, ensure that you are well aware of all terrain and obstruction along your route of flight, as well as 50 NM each side of your route of flight.
• Be prepared to discuss and use proper departure procedures which consider terrain clearance.
• Be prepared to discuss situations that can lead to CFIT, and risk management strategies you will use to prevent potential CFIT.

Automation Management

• If your training airplane is equipped with an autopilot, you need to be proficient in the use of the autopilot, especially in determining the current mode of the autopilot and its behavior if you change its mode.
• You need to be able to demonstrate how to disconnect the autopilot using all possible methods.