FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Aeromedical Factors and ADMMedium
Using the PAVE checklist for personal risk management, a pilot notices that passengers are pressuring them to depart despite deteriorating weather so they won't miss a scheduled event. This factor falls under which PAVE element?
- AAircraft
- BPilot
- CenVironment
- DExternal pressures
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. External pressures
External pressures, the 'E' in PAVE, include influences such as passenger expectations, schedules, or self-imposed deadlines that can push a pilot toward unsafe decisions.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Aircraft refers to the airworthiness and performance capability of the airplane.
- B. Pilot refers to the pilot's own health, currency, and proficiency, not outside pressure.
- C. enVironment covers weather, terrain, and airport conditions themselves, not the social pressure to fly in them.
PAVE Checklist
A risk management framework covering Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, and External pressures used to identify and mitigate flight risks before a flight.
- P = Pilot fitness and experience
- A = Aircraft airworthiness and performance
- V = enVironment (weather, terrain, airspace)
- E = External pressures (schedules, passengers, self-induced pressure)
Memory trick: Pilots Avoid Vexing Externalities