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Aeronautical decision making (ADM) is a systematic approach to the mental process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances. ADM builds upon the foundation of conventional decision making, but enhances the process to decrease the probability of pilot error. ADM provides a structure to analyze changes that occur during a flight and determine how these changes might affect a flight’s safe outcome.

The ADM process addresses all aspects of decision making in the cockpit and identifies the steps involved in good decision making. These steps are:

1. Identifying personal attitudes hazardous to safe flight.
2. Learning behavior modification techniques.
3. Learning how to recognize and cope with stress.
4. Developing risk assessment skills.
5. Using all resources.
6. Evaluating the effectiveness of one’s ADM skills.

In conventional decision making, the need for a decision is triggered by recognition that something has changed or an expected change did not occur. Recognition of the change, or nonchange, is a vital step in any decision making process. Not noticing the change in the situation can lead directly to a mishap. [Figure 1-7A] The change indicates that an appropriate response or action is necessary in order to modify the situation (or, at least, one of the elements that comprise
it) and bring about a desired new situation. Therefore, situational awareness is the key to successful and safe decision making. At this point in the process, the pilot is faced with a need to evaluate the entire range of possible responses to the detected change and to determine the best course of action.

Figure 1-7. Decision making.

Figure 1-7B illustrates the ADM process, how this process expands conventional decision making, shows the interactions of the ADM steps, and how these steps can produce a safe outcome. Starting with the recognition of change, and following with an assessment of alternatives, a decision to act or not act is made, and the results are monitored. Pilots can use ADM to enhance their conventional decision making process because it: (1) increases their awareness of the importance of attitude in decision making; (2) teaches the ability to search for and establish relevance of information; (3) increases their motivation to choose and execute actions that ensure safety in the situational timeframe.

Figure 1-7. Decision making.