Figure 2-13.  A real-world example of how the 3P model guides decisions on a cross-country trip using the TEAM checklist.  alternative airport for every 25–30 nautical mile  segment of your route.  •  Preflight your passengers by preparing them for the  possibility of delay and diversion, and involve them  in your evaluation process.  • Another important tool—overlooked by many pilots—  is a good post-flight analysis. When you have safely  secured the airplane, take the time to review and  analyze the flight as objectively as you can. Mistakes  and judgment errors are inevitable; the most important  thing is for you to recognize, analyze, and learn from  them before your next flight.  The DECIDE Model  Using the acronym “DECIDE,” the six-step process DECIDE  Model is another continuous loop process that provides the  pilot with a logical way of making decisions.  [Figure 2-14]  DECIDE means to Detect, Estimate, Choose a course of  action, Identify solutions, Do the necessary actions, and  Evaluate the effects of the actions.  First, consider a recent accident involving a Piper Apache (PA­ 23). The aircraft was substantially damaged during impact  with terrain at a local airport in Alabama. The certificated  airline transport pilot (ATP) received minor injuries and the  certificated private pilot was not injured. The private pilot  2-18  Pilots can perform risk management by using the TEAM checklist:  To manage the risk associated with her inexperience and lack  of recent flight time, Gayle can:  •  T ransfer the risk entirely by having another pilot act as PIC.  E liminate the risk by canceling the trip.  •  A ccept the risk and fly anyway.  M itigate the risk by flying with another pilot.  Gayle chooses to mitigate the major risk by hiring a CFI to  accompany her and provide dual cross-country instruction.  An added benefit is the opportunity to broaden her flying  experience.  Pilot  Environment  To manage the risk associated with hazy conditions and  mountainous terrain, Gayle can:  •  T ransfer the risk of VFR in these conditions by asking an  instrument-rated pilot to fly the trip under IFR.  •  E liminate the risk by canceling the trip.  A ccept the risk.  •  M itigate the risk by careful preflight planning, filing a VFR  flight plan, requesting VFR flight following, and using  resources such as Flight Watch.  Detailed preflight planning must be a vital part of Gayle’s  weather risk mitigation strategy. The most direct route would  put her over mountains for most of the trip. Because of the  thick haze and pockets of IMC over mountains, Gayle might  mitigate the risk by modifying the route to fly over valleys. This  change will add 30 minutes to her estimated time of arrival  (ETA), but the extra time is a small price to pay for avoiding  possible IMC over mountains. Because her destination airport  is IMC at the time of departure, Gayle needs to establish that  VFR conditions exist at other airports within easy driving  distance of her original destination. In addition, Gayle should  review basic information (e.g., traffic pattern altitude, runway  layout, frequencies) for these alternate airports. To further  mitigate risk and practice good cockpit resource management,  Gayle should file a VFR flight plan, use VFR flight following,  and call Flight Watch to get weather updates en route. Finally,  basic functions on her handheld GPS should also be practiced.  Aircraft  To manage risk associated with any doubts about the aircraft’s  mechanical condition, Gayle can:  •  T ransfer the risk by using a different airplane.  E liminate the risk by canceling the trip.  •  A ccept the risk.  M itigate the remaining (residual) risk through review of  aircraft performance and careful preflight inspection.  Since she finds no problems with the aircraft’s mechanical  condition, Gayle chooses to mitigate any remaining risk  through careful preflight inspection of the aircraft.  External pressures  To mitigate the risk of emotional pressure from family  expectations that can drive a “get-there” mentality, Gayle can:  •  T ransfer the risk by having her co-pilot act as PIC and make  the continue/divert decision.  •  E liminate the risk by canceling the trip.  A ccept the risk.  •  M itigate the risk by managing family expectations and  making alternative arrangements in the event of diversion to  another airport.  Gayle and her co-pilot choose to address this risk by agreeing  that each pilot has a veto on continuing the flight, and that they  will divert if either becomes uncomfortable with flight conditions.  Because the destination airport is still IMC at the time of  departure, Gayle establishes a specific point in the trip—an en  route VORTAC located between the destination airport and the  two alternates—as the logical place for her “final” continue/  divert decision. Rather than give her family a specific ETA that  might make Gayle feel pressured to meet the schedule, she  manages her family’s expectations by advising them that she  will call when she arrives. 