4.4 Risk Management and ADM

Describe the essential elements of ADM in your own words.

Aeronautical Decision Making is a cognitive framework for the pilot in command to continuous use throughout all phases of their flight (planning, flight, landing, post-flight, etc) to identify risks and implement risk mitigations based on new information that is received.  This framework is complemented by checklists and tools that help identify/categorize risk and hazards to develop methods of mitigation.

 What ADM and Risk Management issues in UAS operations really stood out to you?

 What really stood out is that fact that there is almost an unlimited amount of risks and hazards that can be considered as a RPIC.  Whether it is physiological (ie. human fatigue, long week of working) to environmental conditions such as high winds, almost any new input or information can impact the operator to make an corresponding decision or action to mitigate it.  The risk appetite for each scenario is also variable since each RPIC has a different risk tolerance.  Also, most of the time, the major factor is based on injury to the general public, so flying over crowds are most likely to be avoided.
 
What are some of the unique human factors challenges faced by commercial UAS operators certified under CFR 14 Part 107?

One of the major unique human factors challenges faced by commercial UAS operators is the fact that they are the sole decision maker in any situation faced with risk.  Traditional manned aircraft pilots will have a support network to help provide feedback to garner consensus on a decision.  The first officer or chief pilot over the radio could help the aircraft commander to rationalize a decision on a certain issue.  This luxury does not exist for the UAS RPIC.  Further, crew resource management does not exist robustly in the UAS world.  In the military, there is often a Mission Acceptance Launch Authority (MALA) framework to ensure that operators are safe and sound of mind to fly.  In the UAS world, you will not have an outside entity or checklist to ensure your body and mind are healthy to operate.  You have to solely rely on yourself to question whether you are of the right attitude (ie. not aggressive or impulsive or macho), well rested (ie. slept and well-nourished) and your aircraft is checked for proper maintenance.  All of these things rely solely on yourself so the overall risk is that much higher as compared to traditional manned aircraft.