Even when flying a single-pilot aircraft, a pilot may choose to fly with a second pilot. The second pilot may be a flight instructor or another pilot who can perform some flight duties. The pilot can also assign specific duties to a passenger who can help monitor certain conditions or read a checklist. Pilots should consider how to use an additional person appropriately since a resource could also introduce threats.

Flight service personnel are a valuable resource, especially for weather avoidance and flight plan changes. Air traffic control can assist pilots with traffic avoidance, weather avoidance, terrain avoidance, and navigation. However, ATC workload or equipment limitations affect the amount of assistance they can provide. In larger operations, a dispatch or company operations center can normally coordinate all communications and assistance.

Certain pilot behaviors defend against threats and errors.

Whether operating as a single pilot or as part of a crew, clear and concise communication is the foundation for sharing information and conveying intentions. When communicating with ATC or during crew briefings, each pilot should agree on the plan of action, ask for clarification, and question any inconsistency.

Situational awareness may include knowing:

Situational awareness allows the pilot to plan for what will happen next and to stay ahead of the aircraft. A forward-looking plan also provides for early detection of any deviation from expectations.

On the ground, the pilot has the option to stop the aircraft. Pilots can always resume taxi after addressing an issue. Once airborne, budgeting time, prioritizing tasks, or slowing aircraft speed may allow sufficient time to complete tasks without error. A pilot feeling rushed while being vectored for an approach can request a delay or a vector that gives more time for completing checklists or configuring the aircraft.

Pilots may normally communicate with Flight Service and ATC. Some operators also have dispatchers available who track and assist flights. These external contacts are part of a team and a resource that can provide in-flight assistance. However, in a critical situation during any flight, declaring an emergency results in additional assistance and priority handling.

When the flight involves more than one pilot, crew resource management principles should be used. Typically, this allows one pilot focus on flight path management while the second pilot monitors the flight and accomplishes other tasks. However, the pilots should communicate their reasoning, intentions, and actions to allow for discussion, agreement, and verification.

Managing automation can reduce workload and improve situational awareness if understood and used properly. Automation management will be discussed in greater detail in Chapter 7, Automation & Flight Path Management.