Aviation Watch Outs

As part of risk management, especially during high activity fires, each aviation manager and employee should be asking questions about every mission.

• Is the flight necessary?
• Who is in charge?
• Are hazards identified and known?
  • Have flight hazards been assessed? Have the pilots been informed?
• Should the operation or the flight be stopped due to a change in conditions? Consider the following:
  • Radio communications.
  • Environmental conditions – weather, visibility, terrain, elevation, temperatures.
  • Mission priorities.
  • Successful mission completion probabilities.
• Is there a better way to complete the mission?
• Is there pressure to complete a mission at all costs?
• Can you justify your actions?
• Is the mission airspace confined or congested?
  • Multiple aircraft.
  • Mixed types of aircraft.
  • Poor visibility.
• Do you have an escape route?
• Are any guidelines or policies being ignored?
• Is communication between any individuals strained or tense?
• Are you deviating from the assigned operation or flight?