How do you assess risk in a decision? Provide a short example.

• A. Identify hazards, estimate likelihood and consequence, apply controls, consider residual risk, and document the decision process.
• B. Avoid uncertainty by delaying decision indefinitely.
• C. Assume no risk and proceed.
• D. Rely on intuition without data.

Answer: (A)

Assessing risk in a decision means turning uncertainty into a structured plan: identify what could go wrong, judge how likely it is and how bad it would be, put controls in place to reduce that risk, check what remains after those controls (the residual risk), and record what was decided. This approach ensures decisions are based on evidence and deliberate actions rather than guesswork.

For example, before a training flight, you’d identify hazards such as adverse weather, daylight limits, airspace restrictions, or potential fuel shortfalls. You’d estimate the likelihood and the potential impact of each hazard, then implement controls like reviewing weather forecasts, choosing a safer route or delaying the flight if conditions are poor, conducting thorough pre-flight checks, and having an alternate plan. After applying these controls, you’d reassess to determine the residual risk and document the assessment and the final decision. This shows how risk is managed step by step rather than left to intuition or delays.