Definition
Risk management tools that assign numerical values to identified risk factors so that the total score indicates the overall level of risk for a given flight or operation. The resulting number is compared against pre-set thresholds to guide a go, no-go, or modify decision.
Plain English
A way of putting numbers on the things that could make a flight risky, adding them up, and using the total to decide whether the flight is safe to take, needs changes, or should be cancelled.
Context Anchor
Seen in preflight risk management discussions, especially when an instructor or pilot uses a worksheet or checklist to decide whether to fly, delay, or change the plan.
Derivation
Numerical comes from number. Scoring means giving points or a counted value. System means an organized method. Together, the phrase means an organized way to give number values to risks so they can be compared more clearly.
Why Pilots Care
They help pilots make objective go/no-go decisions instead of relying only on gut feeling.
Intuition Check
Do not treat the score like a school grade or a guarantee of safety. In this context, the number is a decision aid: it helps organize judgment, but it does not replace pilot judgment.
Example Sentence 1
Before each flight, the pilot used a numerical scoring system to rate fatigue, weather, and aircraft factors, and the total score fell into the caution range, prompting a call to the chief pilot.
Example Sentence 2
After adding the scores from each risk factor, the pilot saw the total exceeded safe limits.