Definition
The systematic process of identifying hazards, assessing the level of risk they present, and applying controls to reduce that risk to an acceptable level before and during a flight. In FAA training, risk management is a required element of pilot decision-making and is evaluated alongside knowledge and skill in the Airman Certification Standards.
Plain English
Spotting what could go wrong on a flight, judging how serious each problem could be, and taking steps to make those problems less likely or less harmful before they happen.
Context Anchor
Seen in the Airman Certification Standards, practical test discussions, preflight planning, weather decisions, and in-flight decision-making.
Derivation
‘Risk’ comes from the Italian risco, meaning danger or hazard. ‘Management’ comes from the Latin manus, meaning hand — literally ‘handling.’ Together: the deliberate handling of dangers, rather than just hoping they don’t occur.
Why Pilots Care
It directly reduces the chance of accidents by addressing threats early rather than reacting after a problem develops.
Intuition Check
Do not read risk management as paperwork or box-checking. In flying, it means actively spotting and reducing real threats to the flight. Risk management also does not mean removing all risk. It means reducing risk enough that the flight can be conducted safely and wisely.
Example Sentence 1
Before departing on a cross-country, the pilot used risk management to weigh marginal weather, fatigue, and an unfamiliar airport, and decided to delay the flight by two hours.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor emphasized risk management when the student planned an alternate airport in case the destination weather deteriorated.