Defining Crew Resource Management (CRM)

utilize all resources, all phases of flight

Crew Resource Management (CRM) means utilizing the all resources at your disposal during all phases of flight to manage potential risks, make sound decisions, and work effectively as a team.

Think of CRM is an active process you use during every phase of flight as variables change – because they will.

With that as the official definition, let’s take a look at what each defining aspect communicates:

“Utilize During *All Phases* of Flight”

CRM is meant to be used during all phases of flight and across the entire flight mission timeline—from planning and preflight to operations and post-flight review.

The FAA wants you to know that CRM isn’t just for emergencies—it’s about using all available resources (people, equipment, and information) to make safe, smart decisions at every step.

“Utilize All Available Resources”

Even in solo drone operations, Crew Resource Management (CRM) means using every available resource to support safe and effective decision-making.

This includes:

• People – The Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC), Visual Observers (VOs), and any ground crew all contribute critical information and support throughout the mission.
• Equipment – Cameras, sensors, communication devices, and any onboard technology help monitor and manage the flight.
• Information – Be aware of surrounding traffic, airspace restrictions, weather, equipment status, and aircraft performance to make smart, timely decisions.
• Systems – Always use designated checklists to make sure no crucial steps are overlooked in CRM for small UA operations. Checklists come in handy through many areas of flight, such conducting site surveys, drone inspections, or post-flight briefings.

Defining Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)

evaluating, anticipating, choosing

Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) is the systematic approach drone pilots use to evaluate changing conditions and make sound, timely decisions to maintain safety.

It involves:

1. Evaluating the current situation
2. Anticipating potential problems
3. Choosing the best course of action based on available information, experience, and training

These three steps form the core of the ADM process in the moment. But there’s one more vital step that strengthens your skill over time: Reviewing the outcome after the fact. This helps pilots learn from experience, improving future decision-making and reducing repeat mistakes.

The ADM process includes:

• Recognizing a problem or hazard
• Assessing the situation and available resources
• Generating possible options
• Evaluating the risks and benefits of each option
• Choosing and implementing the best course of action
• Reviewing the outcome to learn for the future]

With that as the official definition, let’s break down what each core part of this really means in practice:

1. Evaluating Current Conditions

staying aware and informed

ADM starts by taking stock of your environment. This includes:

• Monitoring weather, battery levels, signal strength, airspace restrictions, and nearby activity.
• Checking in with your crew (Visual Observer or other support staff).
• Observing how the drone is handling during flight.

This stage is about staying aware and informed so that any shifts in your environment are quickly recognized.

2. Anticipating Potential Problems

always be one step ahead

This is where ADM asks you to think one step ahead:

• Are weather conditions changing rapidly?
• Is foot traffic or wildlife increasing in the flight zone?
• Could low battery or interference cut your return short?

Pilots who anticipate issues early are better prepared to handle them when they arise. This mindset prevents scrambling for last-minute fixes.

3. Choosing the Best Course of Action

prioritize safety, mission goals, and legal compliance

Once you’ve spotted a potential issue, ADM asks you to choose the best and safest course of action. The decision should prioritize safety, mission goals, and legal compliance—in that order.

You might:

• Pause the mission. Adjust altitude. Land and reassess.
• Use your checklist for protocols in such situations.
• Get crew input.

After acting, ADM doesn’t stop. It includes reviewing the outcome:

• Did the decision work?
• Was there a better option?
• What will you do differently next time?

What Is Risk Management?

Situational Awareness + Problem Recognition + Good Judgment

Risk Management is a core component of the Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) framework. Think of ADM like the full playbook—and risk management is one of the most important plays in it.

Risk Management is the specific step with ADM where you identify potential hazards, assess how serious they are, and decide how to reduce or eliminate them before and during flight.

You use risk management before and during flight to:

• Identify what could go wrong
• Judge how serious it is
• Decide how to reduce or eliminate the risk

ADM vs. Risk Management

What’s the Relationship?

Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) is the entire process—the big-picture decision-making framework. It includes recognizing, evaluating, and choosing the best course of action in flight situations.

Risk Management is a subset or core function within ADM—specifically the part that focuses on identifying hazards, assessing risk, and figuring out how to reduce it.

You can think of it like this:

• ADM is the overall decision-making strategy
• Risk Management is the safety lens you use while making those decisions

How Risk Management Maps to the ADM Steps:

Recognizing a problem or hazard (ADM)
→ Risk management begins here: identifying specifically what could go wrong. (RM)

Assessing the situation and available resources (ADM)
→ Evaluate how serious the hazard is and what tools or support you have. (RM)

Generating possible options (ADM)
→ Come up with safer alternatives or mitigation strategies. (RM)

Evaluating the risks and benefits of each option (ADM)
→ Compare outcomes and decide which option carries the least risk. (RM)

Choosing and implementing the best course of action (ADM)
→ Act on the safest, most effective option. RM)

TL;DR Summary

• ADM = the full process of recognizing a situation, making a decision, and learning from it.
• Risk Management = the specific safety-focused part of that process that helps you identify and reduce hazards.

The 3 Pillars of Risk Management

Situational Awareness + Problem Recognition + Good Judgment

RIsk Management is supported by your use of Situational Awareness, Problem Recognition, and Good Judgement.

By maintaining situational awareness, pilots can stay informed about their surroundings and the status of the aircraft. Recognizing problems as they arise allows them to address issues before they escalate. Finally, using good judgment supports the need for decisions made prioritize safety and reduce risks.

1. Situational Awareness

stay aware

Staying aware of all aspects of the flight environment, including weather conditions, air traffic, and aircraft performance. This helps in anticipating potential issues and making informed decisions.

2. Problem Recognition

identify problem early

The ability to identify problems early is essential. Recognizing potential hazards, such as mechanical issues or changing weather conditions, allows for timely intervention and risk mitigation.

3. Good Judgement

prioritize safety

Using good judgment to make sound decisions that prioritize safety. This involves weighing the risks and benefits of different actions and choosing the safest course.

What are Accident Chains?

Risk Management in Action

In aviation, the “accident chain” refers to a series of events or failures that can lead to an accident.

• Each link in this chain represents a potential failure point.
• Breaking any link can *prevent* the accident from occurring.

To prevent becoming the final “link” in this chain, a remote pilot must actively engage in Risk Management.

Here’s a simple example of an accident chain in a drone mission:

You’re preparing for a mapping mission near a construction site.

• First link – You notice strong winds but decide to fly anyway to stay on schedule.
• Second link – You skip the preflight checklist because you’ve flown this route before.
• Third link – Your battery wasn’t fully charged, but you assume it’ll last.
• Final link – Mid-flight, the wind picks up, your drone struggles to stabilize, the battery drains faster than expected, and you crash into scaffolding.

If you had broken any one of those links—by delaying the flight due to weather, running a preflight check, or swapping in a fully charged battery—the accident likely would’ve been avoided.

That’s why Risk Management matters. It helps you spot and break those links before they connect and your potentially crashes.

What Is Situational Awareness?

The Foundation of Safe Flight

Situational awareness is your active understanding of everything happening around your drone—both in the air and on the ground.

It’s the real-time skill of noticing changes, interpreting information, and staying ahead of potential hazards.

At its core, situational awareness is about:

• Observing your surroundings
• Understanding how current conditions affect your flight
• Staying alert to changes that require action

This awareness allows you to respond quickly and effectively, preventing small issues from becoming big problems.

Even with perfect planning, things can change mid-flight. Situational awareness gives you the edge to detect those changes early—and take corrective action before they impact safety.

It’s not just a habit—it’s a mindset. And it’s what separates reactive pilots from truly skilled pilots.

1. Visual Monitoring

be observant

Keep your drone within visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times. This lets you track its position, orientation, and any unexpected changes in behavior.

2. Environmental Awareness

stay informed

Stay informed about airspace restrictions, weather patterns, terrain, wildlife, and human activity. These factors can shift quickly and directly impact your mission.

3. Assessing Information

keep up to date

Read and react to data from your controller, app, or onboard sensors. Understanding how altitude, battery levels, wind, and GPS signal affect your current situation is key.

4. Consistent Sky Scanning

be proactive

Continuously scan the sky for other aircraft, birds, drones, or any moving hazards. Situational awareness is about being proactive, not reactive.