Definition
Situational Awareness (SA) is the pilot's accurate, up-to-the-moment understanding of the aircraft's position, flight conditions, surrounding terrain and traffic, weather, fuel state, system status, and what is likely to happen next. In the context of Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) prevention, SA specifically includes knowing where the aircraft is in relation to terrain and obstacles at all times.
Plain English
Knowing what is going on around you and your aircraft -- where you are, what the airplane is doing, what the weather and terrain are like, and what is about to happen next.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of controlled flight into terrain, instrument approaches, crew coordination, and any situation where the pilot must keep a clear mental picture of the flight.
Derivation
From Latin situatio (position, location) and the older sense of aware meaning 'watchful, on guard.' Situational awareness literally means being watchful of your situation -- not just where you are, but everything that affects what happens next.
Why Pilots Care
Loss of SA is a primary factor in most CFIT accidents, allowing a perfectly airworthy aircraft to collide with terrain.
Grounding Statement
Good SA is the pilot’s live mental picture of the flight matching what is actually happening outside and on the instruments.
Intuition Check
SA is not just paying attention. It means your mental picture of the flight is accurate, current, and useful for the next decision.
Example Sentence 1
The captain called for a go-around when he realized his SA had degraded during the rushed approach into mountainous terrain.
Example Sentence 2
Distraction from a radio call caused a temporary loss of SA, bringing the aircraft dangerously close to rising terrain.