Definition
A structured pre-flight checklist or worksheet that helps a pilot identify and score risk factors for a planned flight — covering the pilot, aircraft, environment, and external pressures — and then translates those scores into an overall risk level that guides whether to go, modify the flight, or cancel.
Plain English
A simple form you fill out before a flight that adds up the risks (tired pilot, bad weather, unfamiliar airport, schedule pressure, etc.) and tells you whether the flight is low, medium, or high risk so you can make a better go/no-go decision.
Context Anchor
Used during preflight planning, especially in flight training, before solo flights, cross-country flights, or any flight with changing weather, aircraft, pilot, or airport conditions.
Derivation
From 'assess,' meaning to evaluate or judge the value of something (Latin 'assidere,' to sit beside — originally a tax assessor sitting beside a judge). A FRAT is the pilot 'sitting beside' their own flight plan and judging it honestly before committing to it.
Why Pilots Care
Helps pilots spot hidden hazards early and decide whether to delay, cancel, or adjust the flight, reducing accident risk.
Intuition Check
A FRAT is not a guarantee that a flight is safe, and it is not a substitute for pilot judgment. It is a tool that helps the pilot notice and manage risk before the flight begins.
Example Sentence 1
Before the cross-country, the student filled out a FRAT and noticed the combined score was high because of fatigue, gusty winds, and a tight schedule — so they rescheduled the flight for the next morning.
Example Sentence 2
During the lesson the instructor asked the student to explain each item on the FRAT before approving the cross-country flight.