Threats & Errors – Mitigating Threats & Errors
TEM Behaviours
The focus of TEM is to develop strategies or contingencies which mitigate threats and errors. The main behaviours are:
AVOID THREATS AND PREVENT ERRORS – Think ahead, what could occur? What threats are common in a particular context. When are you most vulnerable to error? Put strategies in place to protect yourself and the operation. E.g. Slow down, maintain situational awareness, anticipate heat stress/ fatigue
DETECT/ IDENTIFY THREATS AND ERRORS – Be threat aware – Have your eyes open for possible threats, incorporate error identification strategies into your normal operations e.g. cross checking, independent calculations, briefings, monitoring.
MANAGE THREATS AND ERRORS – Be proactive with strategy development – If you identify a possible threat, make a plan. Don’t wait till you are in the middle of a situation, develop your strategy early. You will lower your workload and stress levels, and be better able to respond appropriately. Take responsibility for threats and errors, don’t assume that the last line of defence will catch them (e.g. crew).
TEM – Communication -> Shared Mental Model
- Pre-flight Briefings and Checklists
- During Mission communication between Controller and Co-Pilot
- RPAS flight instrument visual scanning technique – Controller
- Scan Primary Flight Display:
- Attitude
- Airspeed
- Attitude
- Heading
- Attitude
- Altitude
- VSI
- Scan Secondary Instrument Display
- Scan for alerts and trends
- Scan Primary Flight Display:
Threat & Error Management
Countermeasures
| Threat | Countermeasure |
| Conflict / breakdown of separation between UAV and transiting traffic | Lookout – multi-pilot crew Listen out Communicate NOTAMs |
| Personnel other than those of the operator coming within 30 m | Lookout – multi-pilot crew Signs Physical Barriers |
| Airframe / component failure | Design & Testing Program Maintenance Program Pre-flight Checks Post Flight Checks |
| Error | Countermeasure |
| UAV launched with insufficient battery voltage | Pre-flight checklist includes battery voltage test |
| Pilot functioning adversely affected by fatigue, hunger or dehydration | Appropriate rest before mission Suitable area to take breaks Bring sufficient food and water for extended deployment |
| Pilot functioning adversely affected by alcohol or drugs | Minimum 8 hours between alcohol consumption and flying Sufficient time between consumption and flying to be free of effects of alcohol / drugs Check medications with DAME |