VFA-122 Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Closed Book Practice Test

Operational Risk Management in flight planning is the structured process used to identify hazards tied to the mission, evaluate the risk they pose, and apply controls so that the overall risk stays within acceptable limits. In practice this means looking at factors like weather, terrain, aircraft performance and limitations, fuel margins, crew readiness, airspace or NOTAM constraints, and maintenance status; then judging how likely each hazard is and how severe the outcome could be, which yields a risk level. Based on that assessment, you implement mitigations—such as alternative routes, revised flight profiles, additional fuel reserves, or tighter checklists—and then re-check the remaining risk to ensure it’s acceptable before departure. ORM isn’t something you apply after the flight is done; it guides the planning and decision-making process for the entire operation. It also isn’t a replacement for other safety procedures, and it applies to more than just ground operations; it covers all flight activities.