Soaring Risk Management 2

This is the second installment written by Orion Kingman, his focus is on using the FAA's Risk Management to help pilots and organizations mitigate risks. Many times it is a cultural change to become safer. You can download the FAA Risk Management Handbook here.

The FAA has standardized a risk assessment matrix based upon the likelihood of an event occurring, and the severity of such an event. A particular hazard is placed within the matrix and based upon where it falls the greater the focus on mitigating it should be.



Using this matrix is a very subjective process. One pilot might assess their likelihood of a mid-air collision with an airliner as remote to improbable based upon where they fly, while another might rate their chance as probable to occasional. Consider the hazards that you as a pilot, club, or operator are exposed to, and establish where they lay within the assessment matrix.

Hazard Mitigation

Any procedure or piece of equipment that is used to reduce the likelihood of a hazard is considered mitigation. The pilot who established that their risk of a mid-air collision is high might consider a transponder if the hazard is from airliners, or a FLARM if the hazard is from gaggle flying. Procedural mitigation would include SOP changes by a club or commercial operator limiting the permitted tail-wind component for landings or requiring a wing tape sign-off following a critical control check after reassembly. What is important is that these changes be implemented in order for the mitigating effect to happen.

Be aware of potential hazards in your operations. Identify them and evaluate how much of a risk they pose. If the risk is significant enough, establish and implement a viable mitigation plan. Then complete the feedback loop by maintaining vigilance for new or recurring hazards and mitigate them as appropriate.

Works Cited FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION. (2016). Risk Management Handbook. Oklahoma City: US Department of Transportation.

  Orion Kingman is a professional pilot, flight instructor and Designated Pilot Examiner. He holds an undergraduate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is currently pursuing a Master's from ASU in Emergency management and homeland security. Over the past 22 years of flying Orion has logged in excess of 8,500 hours, in aircraft ranging from a 1-26 through Boeing 767's. Within those hours Orion won the 2006 Region 12 Championship in Open Class, and has organized and mentored multiple cross country camps.