Flight Risk Assessment Tools Remain Essential

As aviators, we know flying can be a highly rewarding activity. The sense of accomplishment which results from a well-executed flight is hard to beat. However, flying can also be a high-risk activity. Weather, terrain, aircraft unfamiliarity, pilot experience and many other factors all contribute to the overall risk picture.

Do you have a tool which you use to help determine risk level prior to flying? A Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) is an essential item with which all pilots should be familiar, and is a required part of Safety Management Systems. Many commercial operators are mandated to have a Safety Management System, and numerous other non-mandated operators also have a Safety Management System. For these pilots, using a FRAT is

a routine part of their preflight work.

A FRAT is a simple form usually integrated in an online application which lists common risk factors. The pilot utilizes the form by selecting the risks which are applicable to the flight. The result (or score) of the FRAT is returned as a numerical value.

Some FRAT applications will color code the score as green, yellow or red, for low, medium or high risk, respectively.

A FRAT is typically divided into sections based on the FAA’s PAVE acronym (Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressure). Each section may have several potential risk items listed.

Depending on the FRAT, there may be 20 to 40 total items. Each item is assigned a predetermined point value (usually one to five) based on risk severity. When the value of all selected items is scored, the result helps determine risk level.

Each FRAT contains point ranges for low, medium and high risk. For example, in the FRAT I use regularly, low risk is a total score under 25, medium risk is a score of 25-35, and high risk is a score over 35. A FRAT score in the low-risk range helps aid the pilot in making a more well informed go decision.

However, a FRAT total on the higher end of the low-risk range should cause the pilot to proceed cautiously knowing multiple risk factors are in play. If the total FRAT score is in the medium-risk range, some type of risk mitigation needs to take place before making the go decision.

For example, a planned night flight could be delayed until daylight arrives. If lack of experience in a particular aircraft is a risk factor, perhaps a friend or CFI with more experience in the make and model could come along on the flight.

There are many good mitigation strategies to help combat the factors which produce a higher risk value. A FRAT with a score in the high-risk range is a clear indicator to the pilot that the flight should not go.

As with other preflight items such as weather, fuel planning and weight and balance, the FRAT calculation should happen as early as possible in the planning process. The goal is to allow sufficient time to understand the risk level of the flight and to plan mitigation strategies if necessary.

The FRAT serves as a type of risk checklist as it aids in proactive hazard identification. It does not make a go or no-go decision for the pilot, but it is a great tool as it helps the pilot perceive risks which may not otherwise be considered. For example, the risk factor may be elevated when the airport’s temperature and dewpoint are within two degrees Celsius of each other.

As the pilot sees this item in the FRAT list during their preflight risk assessment, the pilot may need to look more closely at the weather to determine if the temperature-dewpoint spread is that close. Without seeing this item on the FRAT, the pilot may have neglected to realize the temperature-dewpoint spread was close – and the resulting potential for fog which the narrow spread creates.

Some common risk items found on FRATs are the following: Pilot with less than 200 hours in type; uncontrolled airport; winter operation; night operation; low level windshear; moderate or greater turbulence; icing; surface winds greater than 25 knots; inoperative equipment. The items on a FRAT form are not standardized and can be unique depending on the creator. Some FRAT providers allow for customization of items on the form. Keep in mind that no FRAT can account for all possible risk factors, but the most common items are typically included.

FRATs are available through various online providers for a fee. There are also some free FRAT apps available for mobile devices. The FAA offers a free FRAT spreadsheet for both Mac and Windows at http://go.usa.gov/xkhJK. A very simple way to start using a FRAT is to print a FRAT worksheet and keep it handy to manually calculate a total risk score while flight planning.

A FRAT is an excellent way to better understand risk factors before endeavoring into the air. I encourage you, if you are not currently using a FRAT, to find a solution you like. After using a FRAT for a while, it will become part of your normal preflight routine. You will find yourself becoming more risk-aware which will help you become a safer pilot.