enables the pilot to accurately assess hazards, manage  resulting risk potential, and make good decisions. To make informed decisions during flight operations, a pilot  must be aware of the resources found both inside and outside  the cockpit. Since useful tools and sources of information  may not always be readily apparent, learning to recognize  these resources is an essential part of SRM training. The pilot  must not only identify the available resources, but he or she  must also assess whether sufficient time is available to use  a particular one, and the impact its use will have upon the  safety of the flight. If a pilot is flying alone into a confined area with no wind  sock or access to a current wind report, should that pilot pick  an approach path based on the direction of wind information  received from an earlier weather brief? Making an approach  into a confined area with a tailwind is a bad decision and can  be avoided. Prior to landing, the pilot should use outside  resources such a smoke, trees, and water on a pond to help  him or her accurately determine which direction the winds are  coming from. Pilots should never leave flying up to chance  and hope for the best. Many accidents could and should be  avoided by simply using the resources, internal and external  that are available.  Internal resources are found in the cockpit during flight. Since  some of the most valuable internal resources are ingenuity,  knowledge, and skill, a pilot can expand cockpit resources  immensely by improving these capabilities. This can be  accomplished by frequently reviewing flight information  publications, such as 14 CFR and the AIM, as well as by  pursuing additional training. Incorporated into preflight planning, the PAVE checklist  provides the pilot with a simple way to remember each  category to examine for risk prior to each flight. Once the  pilot identifies the risks of a flight, he or she needs to decide  whether the risk or combination of risks can be managed  safely and successfully. Remember, the PIC is responsible  for deciding about canceling the flight. If the pilot decides to  continue with the flight, he or she should develop strategies  to mitigate the risks.  No other internal resource is more important than the pilot’s  own ability to control the situation, thereby controlling the  aircraft. Helicopter pilots quickly learn that it is not possible  to hover, single pilot, and pick up the checklist, a chart, or  publication without endangering themselves, the aircraft, or  those nearby. One way to control risk is by setting personal minimums  for items in each risk category. Remember, these are limits  unique to an individual pilot’s current level of experience and  proficiency. They should be reevaluated periodically based  upon experience and proficiency.  Checklists are essential cockpit resources used to verify  the aircraft instruments and systems are checked, set, and  operating properly. They also ensure proper procedures  are performed if there is a system malfunction or inflight  emergency. Pilots at all levels of experience refer to  checklists. The more advanced the aircraft is, the more crucial  checklists are. Therefore, have a plan on how to use the checklist (and other  necessary publications) before you begin the flight. Always  control the helicopter first. When hovering in an airport  environment, the pilot can always land the aircraft to access  Many of the concepts utilized in CRM have been successfully  applied to single-pilot operations which led to the development  of SRM. Defined as the art and science of managing all the  resources (both on board the aircraft and from outside  resources) available to a single pilot (prior to and during  flight), SRM helps to ensure the successful outcome of the  flight. As mentioned earlier, this includes risk management,  situational awareness (SA), and CFIT awareness. SRM training helps the pilot maintain SA by managing  automation, associated control, and navigation tasks. This  13-7 Single-Pilot Resource Management -  Does it provide adequate power margins for the  task to be accomplished? -  Can it carry the weight and remain within CG? -  Will there be external loads? • Environment -  Helicopters are susceptible to the impact of  changing weather conditions.  -  How will the change in moderating temperatures  and DA affect performance? -  Will controllability be jeopardized by winds,  terrain, and turbulence? •  External pressures -  Do not let the notion to accomplish “the mission”  override good judgment and safety. -  Many jobs include time lines. How often do we  hear “time is money” or “time is wasting”? Don’t  sacrifice safety for an implied or actual need to  meet the deadline! -  Do not allow yourself to feel pressured by  coworkers, family events, or friends. 