FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Human Factors and CRMMedium
While planning a night IFR flight into mountainous terrain, a captain reviews the Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, and External pressures categories of a personal risk assessment. He notes that the company's on-time performance bonus is tempting him to depart despite marginal weather. Which category of the checklist does this concern fall under?
- AAircraft
- BenVironment
- CExternal Pressures
- DPilot
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. External Pressures
External Pressures in the PAVE checklist covers non-flight-related factors such as schedules, passenger expectations, or financial incentives that can push a pilot toward unsafe decisions. This is distinct from weather (enVironment) or aircraft/pilot readiness.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Aircraft refers to the airworthiness and equipment of the airplane, not scheduling pressure.
- B. enVironment covers weather, terrain, and airport conditions, not financial incentives.
- D. Pilot refers to the pilot's own health, currency, and experience, not company incentives.
PAVE Checklist
A risk-assessment framework used during flight planning to evaluate four categories of risk before departure.
- P = Pilot
- A = Aircraft
- V = enVironment
- E = External Pressures
Memory trick: PAVE the way before you fly.