The Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) is a tool to help you as the Command Pilot of an Angel Flight evaluate the risk factors of a particular flight. The FRAT is a common tool among commercial pilots and other communities to enhance the safety of flight operations. We have provided the tool as a way for you to improve the safety of your flight. It is not required, but we do encourage you to use the tool for every flight.
- You can find the FRAT tool in your mobile app for each mission you're assigned to in the "My Missions" page.
- You can find the FRAT tool in the online volunteer portal for each mission you're assigned to in the "My Flights" webpage. They are located in the menu drop-down.
If you have never used a FRAT, the concept is quite simple. You are giving your flight a risk score by assessing each of the risk categories. The risk factors that present a larger portion of the overall risk assessment have a higher number. For example, as the runway length decreases, the risk factor increases. Runways less than 4,000 feet are rated as 2 points, while those shorter than 3,000 have an increased risk of 3.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you review the risk factors for your mission.
- You consider the risk factor that is applicable to your mission. Risk factors that are not applicable to your mission retain a score of 0 in the "Flight" column.
- You rate the risk factor subjectively as the pilot in Command of the mission.
- For example, a pilot with de-icing capabilities may rate the risk factor for "Icing (Forecast/PIREP)" 2 points in the "Flight" column than a pilot without de-icing capabilities. The second pilot may rate the risk factor the full 5 points in the "Flight" column. The risk factor assessments are subjective to the pilot filling out the FRAT.
- Another example: One pilot rates runway length "Less than 3000 Ft" as 1 point because he has experience flying on those types of runway lengths. Other pilots may rate the risk factor higher. Again, the risk factor assessments are subjective to the pilot filling out the FRAT.
The risk factors are additive using the FRAT and once you add up all of the selected elements it generates an approximate risk level of Low, Medium, or High. This information is not absolute, however it provides pilots with a visible assessment of potential flight risk factors. This FRAT tool functions as a good reminder on any potential risk factors that you may have neglected to consider.
We are constantly working on improving this tool, and your feedback is welcome, and helpful. Please send your comments to coordination@angelflightwest.org or safetyofficer@angelflightwest.org.