Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) Learning effective ADM skills cannot be overemphasized.  As advancement in training methods, airplane equipment  and systems, and services continue for pilots, incidents and  accidents still occur. Despite all the changes in technology  to improve flight safety, the human factor is the same.  The human factor is still involved in a high percent of all  aviation accidents. Circumstances as mundane as a “slow oxygen leak,” a “high  wind forecast,” or “low batteries” are parts of a decision  chain leading to an incident or accident. The term “pilot  error” has been used to describe the causes of these accidents  meaning that an action or decision made by the pilot was the  cause or a contributing factor that led to the accident. In the  previous circumstances, the chain is broken if the pilot—has  the “slow oxygen leak” repaired—respects the “high wind  forecast” and delays the flight—charges the “low batteries”  before the next flight. The pilot error definition also includes  the pilot’s failure to make a decision or take action. Human  factor-related accidents are accidents that did not involve a  single decision but a chain of decision and factors leading  to the accident. A “poor judgment chain,” referred to as the  error chain, describe the concept of contributing factors in  a human factors-related accident. Breaking one link in the  chain normally is all that is necessary to change the outcome  of the sequence of events. Advisory Circular (AC) 60-22, “Aeronautical Decision  Making,” provides introductory material, background  information, and reference material on ADM. The material  in this AC provides a systematic approach to risk assessment  and stress management in aviation, illustrates how personal  attitudes can influence decision-making, and how those  attitudes can be modified to enhance safety in the cockpit.  This AC also provides instructors with methods for teaching  ADM techniques and skills in conjunction with conventional  flight instruction.  13-10 •  Circumstance: High winds are forecast later today,  but I should return before the wind changes. •  Circumstance: My batteries are low, but I am only  planning a short flight. •  Circumstance: My oxygen system has a slow leak.  Soaring conditions are prefect and I do not need  oxygen for today. Aeronautical decision-making (ADM) is a mental process  used by pilots (systematically) to determine a course of action  in response to a given set of circumstances.