Risk Management
Handbook
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Flight Standards Service
Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A)
This handbook is a tool designed to help recognize and manage risk. It provides a higher level of training to the pilot in
command (PIC) who wishes to aspire to a greater understanding of the aviation environment and become a better pilot. This
handbook is for pilots of all aircraft from weight-shift control (WSC) to a Piper Cub, a Twin Beechcraft, or a Boeing 747. A
pilot's continued interest in building skills is paramount for safe flight and can assist in rising above the challenges which pilots
of all backgrounds and experience levels face.
Some basic tools are provided in this handbook for developing a competent evaluation of one’s surroundings that allows for
assessing risk and thereby managing it in a positive manner. Risk management is applied by identifying, monitoring, and
managing potential components that affect risk thereby allowing the pilot to be better prepared to mitigate risk.
The pilot's work requirements vary depending on the phase of flight. As for a driver transitioning from an interstate onto the city
streets of New York, the tasks increase significantly during the landing phase, creating greater risk to the pilot and warranting
actions that require greater precision and attention. This handbook attempts to bring forward methods that a pilot can use in
managing workload, making the environment safer for the pilot and the passengers.
Occasionally, the word “must” or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language
is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR).
This handbook is available for download, in PDF format, from www.faa.gov.
This handbook is published by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airman
Testing Standards Branch, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125.
Comments regarding this publication should be emailed to [email protected].
Preface
Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A)
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) statistics, in the last 20 years, approximately 85 percent of
aviation accidents have been caused by “pilot error.” Many of these accidents are the result of the tendency to focus flight
training on the physical aspects of flying the aircraft by teaching the student pilot enough aeronautical knowledge and skill to
pass the written and practical tests. In this scenario, risk management is ignored, which can potentially lead to fatal results. The
certificated flight instructor (CFI) who integrates risk management into flight training teaches aspiring pilots how to proactively
identify safety-related hazards pertaining to the flight and mitigating the associated risks of the identified hazards.
A key element of risk decision-making is determining if the risk is justified. The risks involved with flying are quite different
from those experienced in daily activities. Managing these risks requires a conscious effort and established standards (or a
maximum risk threshold). Pilots who practice effective risk management have predetermined personal minimums and have
formed habit patterns and checklists to incorporate them.
If the procedures and techniques described in this handbook are taught and employed, pilots will have tools to identify potential
hazards of a flight and successfully mitigate the risks associated with the identified hazards. The goal is to reduce the general
aviation accident rate involving poor risk management. Pilots who make a habit of using risk management tools will find their
flights considerably more enjoyable and less stressful for themselves and their passengers. In addition, some aircraft insurance
companies reduce insurance rates after a pilot completes a formal risk management course.
This Risk Management Handbook makes available recommended tools for identifying hazards and assessing risk in order to
conduct the safest flight possible with the least amount of risk. The appendices at the end of this handbook contain checklists
and scenarios to aid in risk management consideration, flight planning, and training.
Introduction
Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A)
• This version of the handbook reorganizes risk management concepts in a sequence that pilots use in real world flying.
• Chapter 1 explains the difference between risk management exercised by pilots versus a global corporate risk
management system, defines the role of the FAA and NTSB, and acknowledges limits in which regulatory
compliance can influence safety. This leads to the discussion of personal minimums.
• The discussion of personal minimums moved from chapter 8 to chapter 2 and is now the subject of that chapter. Since
the handbook cites personal minimums throughout, the initial presentation of this concept comes earlier.
• Chapter 2 also briefly discusses the FAA’s WINGS program and has a video link that explains the advantages.
• Several FAASTeam video links are included throughout the book, which explain and summarize the concepts
presented.
• A unified scenario in chapters 3, 4, and 5 shows how to apply risk management concepts before flight begins and
explains and demonstrates the use of a flight risk assessment tool (FRAT) in combination with the PA VE checklist.
• The discussion of identification of hazards, risk analysis, and risk mitigation has been separated into three chapters
(instead of two) to clarify each step and preserve the difference between hazard and risk.
• The chapter on hazard identification (chapter 3) discusses pilot attitudes and that discussion continues throughout the
book, where relevant.
• Chapter 6 begins the discussion of risk as pilots encounter it during actual flying, in terms of threat and error
management, with detailed definitions and examples, and an explanation of defenses.
• Chapter 7 takes a classic look at what automation is and does, and how pilots should anticipate, act, and verify when
using automation. The chapter also includes discussion of flight path management.
• Chapter 8 specifically describes ADM training. This chapter focuses on the 3P risk analysis system while in flight and
moves more complex models to the appendices. This chapter also contains a real example of naturalistic decision-
making and addresses CRM and SRM in more detail.
• The appendices describe and analyze accident scenarios and some provide for the reader to make an analysis.
• The appendices contain instructions for how readers may use them for maximum benefit.
• Specific descriptions of makes and models were removed since a generic description broadens the applicability of
concepts presented throughout the book.