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Aeronautical decision-making, CRM and human factors
Aeronautical decision-making (ADM) is a structured way to spot hazards and manage risk. The test expects the five hazardous attitudes, the 3P model (perceive, process, perform), crew resource management, risk assessment, and the physiological factors of fatigue, stress, hyperventilation and alcohol.
What are the hazardous attitudes?
| Attitude | Sounds like | Antidote |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-authority | "Don't tell me" | Follow the rules, they are usually right |
| Impulsivity | "Do something quickly" | Not so fast, think first |
| Invulnerability | "It won't happen to me" | It could happen to me |
| Macho | "I can do it" | Taking chances is foolish |
| Resignation | "What's the use?" | I am not helpless |
Sources (checked 2026-11-12): FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
What are the 3P model and PAVE?
The 3P model is Perceive, Process, Perform: spot hazards, evaluate their risk, then act to mitigate. PAVE groups risk factors by Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment and External pressures. AC 107-2A also gives a risk assessment format with likelihood and severity.
What is crew resource management?
Using all available resources, people, information and equipment, to make safe decisions. In a Part 107 crew that means clear roles for the remote pilot, the person at the controls and any visual observer, with a briefing before flight (14 CFR 107.49(b)). Automation complacency is also a risk: the pilot stays responsible.
What human factors does the test cover?
Fatigue, stress, vision (including night vision and autokinesis, where a stationary light seems to move), hyperventilation, and alcohol and drugs. 14 CFR 91.17 bars flying within 8 hours of drinking alcohol, while under its influence, or with a blood alcohol of 0.04 percent or more, and 107.57 makes violations grounds for denying or taking action on a remote pilot certificate.
How do I use IMSAFE?
A self-check: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion. If any item is a concern, delay the flight or change the plan.
Free practice questions on this topic
12 original questions from the Sectional Cue bank. Try each one, then open the answer.
Hazardous attitudes
1. Which antidote does the FAA pair with the anti-authority attitude?
- It could happen to me.
- Follow the rules. They are usually right.
- Taking chances is foolish.
Show answer and explanation
B. Follow the rules. They are usually right.
The PHAK pairs anti-authority, "Don't tell me," with "Follow the rules. They are usually right." "It could happen to me." is the antidote for invulnerability. "Taking chances is foolish." is the antidote for macho.
Source: FAA-H-8083-25C, Chapter 2 (Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes)
Stress
2. A remote pilot has spent the week arguing with a client over unpaid invoices and is worried about money. What does the AIM suggest about flying while dealing with more than the usual difficulties?
- Fly as planned, because stress affects only manned pilots at altitude
- Consider delaying the flight until the difficulties are resolved
- Fly as planned, but drink extra coffee to stay alert
Show answer and explanation
B. Consider delaying the flight until the difficulties are resolved
AIM 8-1-1 says most pilots do not leave stress on the ground, and when more than usual difficulties are being experienced, a pilot should consider delaying flight until they are satisfactorily resolved. Stress affects any pilot's judgment, not just manned pilots at altitude. Caffeine does not remove distraction and can add to dehydration.
Source: AIM 8-1-1
3P model
3. In the 3P model, which checklist does the PHAK pair with the Process step?
- CARE
- PAVE
- TEAM
Show answer and explanation
A. CARE
The PHAK pairs PAVE with Perceive, CARE with Process and TEAM with Perform. PAVE is used to identify hazards. TEAM is used to choose and carry out risk controls.
Source: FAA-H-8083-25C, Chapter 2 (Perceive, Process, Perform (3P) Model)
Risk assessment
4. In the AC 107-2A sample safety risk assessment table, when is each hazard's risk level of Low, Medium, High or Avoid assigned?
- Only after all mitigations have been put in place
- After the flight, during the debrief
- Before the effects of any mitigation are considered
Show answer and explanation
C. Before the effects of any mitigation are considered
AC 107-2A says its risk definitions are used to assign the level of risk prior to consideration of risk mitigation effects. Mitigations are then listed in a separate column to bring the risk down to an acceptable level. A debrief captures lessons learned but is not when the initial rating is assigned.
Source: AC 107-2A, App. A, para A.4, Figure A-2
Automation complacency
5. During an automated mapping mission, the remote pilot sits in the truck answering email while the drone flies its preprogrammed grid. What is wrong with this?
- Nothing, because the autopilot holds the altitude and route programmed for the grid
- It is complacency: the remote PIC must still keep the drone in sight and watch for traffic
- Nothing, as long as return-to-home is set and the battery warning is turned on
Show answer and explanation
B. It is complacency: the remote PIC must still keep the drone in sight and watch for traffic
AC 107-2A warns that complacency and overconfidence are risks, and automation does not remove the remote PIC's duties. Under 14 CFR 107.31 and 107.37 the remote PIC must keep visual line of sight and yield to other aircraft throughout the flight. An autopilot or return-to-home setting cannot see a low-flying helicopter.
Source: AC 107-2A, App. A, para A.2.6; 14 CFR 107.31; 14 CFR 107.37
Crew resource management
6. A new visual observer spots a small airplane but hesitates to speak up, not wanting to interrupt the remote PIC. Which CRM principle should the remote PIC have set up beforehand?
- A rule that only the remote PIC calls out traffic
- A crew environment where open communication is encouraged and expected
- A practice of reporting traffic only when it is within 1 mile
Show answer and explanation
B. A crew environment where open communication is encouraged and expected
AC 107-2A says a characteristic of CRM is an environment where open communication is encouraged and expected, involving the entire crew. Letting only the remote PIC call traffic wastes the VO's role of scanning the airspace under 14 CFR 107.33. A fixed distance threshold delays warnings that the remote PIC needs early.
Source: AC 107-2A, App. A, para A.2.5; 14 CFR 107.33
Collision avoidance
7. In the late afternoon, the only spot with a view of the drone puts the VO looking almost straight into the low sun. What should the remote PIC do?
- Keep the VO there, because glare does not affect detection of aircraft
- Reposition the VO or the operation so the VO is not looking into the sun
- Have the VO watch the drone through binoculars for the whole flight
Show answer and explanation
B. Reposition the VO or the operation so the VO is not looking into the sun
AIM 8-1-8 notes that smoke, haze, dust, rain and looking toward the sun greatly reduce the ability to detect other aircraft, and AC 107-2A requires the remote PIC to position the VO so the VO can see the aircraft. Glare does reduce detection. Binoculars may be used only momentarily, not to maintain visual line of sight.
Source: AIM 8-1-8; AC 107-2A, para 5.9.1 and 5.9.2.1
Fatigue
8. Late in a long day, a remote pilot's control inputs become less smooth, and they focus on the center of their view while missing things at the edges. What type of fatigue does this match?
- Skill fatigue, a type of acute fatigue
- Chronic fatigue
- Fatigue caused by dehydration from altitude
Show answer and explanation
A. Skill fatigue, a type of acute fatigue
The PHAK describes skill fatigue as a special type of acute fatigue with two effects: timing disruption, and disruption of the perceptual field, where the pilot concentrates on the center of vision and neglects the periphery. Chronic fatigue builds over a long period and is not described by these specific effects. Altitude dehydration does not apply to a pilot standing on the ground.
Source: FAA-H-8083-25C, Chapter 17 (Fatigue)
Hyperventilation
9. Which action helps a person overcome hyperventilation?
- Slowing the breathing rate, breathing into a paper bag or talking aloud
- Breathing faster and deeper to take in more oxygen right away
- Drinking a caffeinated drink to stimulate normal breathing
Show answer and explanation
A. Slowing the breathing rate, breathing into a paper bag or talking aloud
The PHAK says treatment restores the normal carbon dioxide level; slowing the breathing rate, breathing into a paper bag or talking aloud helps, and recovery is usually rapid. Faster, deeper breathing makes the carbon dioxide loss worse. Caffeine is a stimulant and does not correct breathing.
Source: FAA-H-8083-25C, Chapter 17 (Hyperventilation)
Vision
10. Which statement correctly compares the rods and cones of the eye?
- Rods give color vision and fine detail; cones work best in darkness and detect motion
- Rods are packed into the fovea at the center of vision, so central vision is best at night
- Cones give color and fine detail in good light; rods detect motion and work in dim light
Show answer and explanation
C. Cones give color and fine detail in good light; rods detect motion and work in dim light
The PHAK says cones handle color and fine detail in high light and are concentrated in the fovea, while rods detect movement and provide vision in dim light. Rods cannot discern color. The fovea has virtually no rods, which is why there is a night blind spot in the center.
Source: FAA-H-8083-25C, Chapter 17 (Vision in Flight)
Autokinesis
11. At night, a remote pilot stares at the hovering drone's single light against a dark sky. After several seconds the light seems to wander, but telemetry shows the drone holding position. What is happening?
- False horizon
- Flicker vertigo
- Autokinesis
Show answer and explanation
C. Autokinesis
The PHAK says autokinesis comes from staring at a single point of light against a dark background for more than a few seconds; apparent movement begins in about 8 to 10 seconds. A false horizon is a confusion of lights or terrain with the real horizon. Flicker vertigo is caused by light flickering at 4 to 20 cycles per second.
Source: FAA-H-8083-25C, Chapter 17 (Autokinesis)
Alcohol offenses
12. A remote pilot flies a Part 107 job 4 hours after drinking. Apart from the operating violation, what effect can this act have on the pilot's certificate?
- None, because the penalty for this act is limited to a civil fine from the FAA
- Grounds for suspension or revocation, or denial for up to 1 year after the act
- An automatic certificate suspension that lasts exactly 8 hours
Show answer and explanation
B. Grounds for suspension or revocation, or denial for up to 1 year after the act
Under 14 CFR 107.57(b), committing an act prohibited by 91.17(a), such as acting within 8 hours of drinking, is grounds for suspension or revocation of a remote pilot certificate or denial of an application for up to 1 year after the act. The consequence is not limited to a fine. No rule imposes an automatic 8-hour suspension.
Source: 14 CFR 107.57(b); 14 CFR 91.17(a)
Related guides
- Emergencies and accident reporting for Part 107
- Preflight and maintenance for Part 107 flights
- Part 107 night operations: lights, twilight and training
- All Part 107 guides
Study the charts on your phone
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Sources
- FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, checked 2026-11-12
- FAA Advisory Circular 107-2A, checked 2026-11-12
- 14 CFR 91.17 (eCFR), checked 2026-11-12
- 14 CFR 107.57 (eCFR), checked 2026-11-12
How this page was made: written by Certloom Learning from the sources above, with the rules checked against the current regulation text. Practice items are original questions from the app's reviewed bank. Spot an error? certloomlearning@gmail.com.