Definition
A Flight Risk Analysis Tool (FRAT) is a structured pre-flight assessment, usually a checklist or scored worksheet, that helps a pilot identify and weigh the risks associated with a specific flight before departure. It assigns numerical values to factors such as pilot experience and currency, aircraft condition, environmental conditions (weather, terrain, time of day), and external pressures, then totals them to produce an overall risk score that falls into a low, medium, or high category. Each category typically triggers a defined response — proceed, apply mitigations, consult a more experienced pilot, or cancel.
Plain English
A FRAT is a simple scoring sheet a pilot fills out before a flight to add up the risks involved — things like the pilot's recent experience, the weather, and the aircraft — and decide whether the flight is safe to make, needs adjustments, or should be cancelled.
Context Anchor
Used during preflight planning, especially by instructors, students, and flight schools before training flights or other planned operations.
Derivation
From 'risk' (Old French risque, originally meaning the chance of loss or danger) and 'analysis' (Greek analusis, 'a breaking up'). The name reflects the purpose: breaking a flight down into its individual risk factors so they can be examined one at a time rather than judged by overall gut feel.
Why Pilots Care
Helps pilots spot and reduce risks that could lead to accidents or incidents.
Intuition Check
A FRAT does not make the go/no-go decision for the pilot. It organizes the risk picture so the pilot can make a better decision.
Example Sentence 1
Before her cross-country, she filled out the school's FRAT and saw that the combination of a new airport, gusty winds, and a late departure pushed her into the medium-risk category, so she briefed the flight with her instructor before leaving.
Example Sentence 2
Instructors require students to use a FRAT as part of every cross-country preflight to practice systematic risk management.