In the realm of Aviation Safety, one crucial aspect is assessing the risk associated with each flight. As aviators, we recognize that every flight inherently carries some level of risk. Therefore, it's vital for aircrew to distinguish between low and high-risk flights beforehand and establish a review process along with risk mitigation strategies. FRAT serves as a tool to expedite this process.
ASOG Focus Area | Aviation Safety
Source | ASOG Safety Center
What is FRAT?
FRAT stands for Flight Risk Assessment Tool. It's a systematic and standardized method used in aviation to evaluate the risks associated with a specific flight before its departure. The primary objective of a FRAT is to bolster flight safety by pinpointing potential hazards and gauging the level of risk linked to each flight. This empowers flight operators, pilots, and aviation organizations to make informed decisions regarding whether to proceed with a flight, alter the flight plan, or even cancel it if risks are deemed excessive.
Key Components
Typically, a Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) encompasses the following key components and features:
Risk Factors - FRATs consider various factors that can impact flight safety, including weather conditions, aircraft performance, pilot experience, and route complexity.
Risk Assessment Criteria - Each risk factor is assigned a numerical value or rating, and the tool utilizes predefined criteria to evaluate the overall risk level of the flight.
Risk Levels - Flights may be categorized into different risk levels based on the assessments, such as low, moderate, high, or unacceptable.
Decision Support - FRATs offer decision support by prompting a review or requiring specific risk mitigation measures for high-risk or unacceptable flights.
Documentation - FRATs generate reports or records of the risk assessment process, crucial for compliance, auditing, and safety monitoring.
User-Friendly Interface - Designed to be user-friendly, FRATs allow pilots and flight operators to input relevant information effortlessly and receive risk assessments promptly.
How Does It Work?
Though designs may vary, FRATs typically pose a series of questions to identify and quantify flight risks. For instance, the FAA Safety Team's current FRAT tool follows the PAVE checklist, covering questions regarding Pilot & Crew, Aircraft, Environment, and External Pressures. Based on the provided answers, a total risk score is computed.
Sample FRAT
Summary
As you can see, FRATs constitute a vital component of aviation safety management systems (SMS), utilized by both commercial and private aviation operators. They ensure flights are conducted with a comprehensive understanding of potential risks and appropriate risk mitigation measures in place when necessary, ultimately enhancing aviation safety. While specific designs and features of FRATs may differ among aviation organizations, the overarching goal remains the same: to make informed decisions concerning flight safety. So, back to the original question, how often do you FRAT?
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