Introduction to Glider Flying > Introduction to Glider Flying > Factors Affecting Decision Making > Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is the accurate percep-tion of the operational and environmental fac-tors that affect the aircraft, pilot, and passengers during a specific period of time. Maintaining situational awareness requires an understanding of the relative significance of these factors and their future impact on the flight. When situationally aware, you have an overview of the total operation and are not fix-ated on one perceived significant factor. Some of the elements inside the aircraft to be consid-ered are the status of aircraft systems, you as the pilot, and passengers. In addition, an aware-ness of the environmental conditions of the flight, such as spatial orientation of the glider, and its relationship to terrain, traffic, weather, and airspace must be maintained.

To maintain situational awareness, all of the skills involved in aeronautical decision making are used. For example, an accurate perception of your fitness can be achieved through self-assess-ment and recognition of hazardous attitudes. A clear assessment of the status of navigation equipment can be obtained through workload management, and establishing a productive relationship with ATC can be accomplished by effective resource use.