What is the purpose of a flight risk assessment tool (FRAT)?

The purpose of a Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) is to evaluate potential risks associated with a flight and implement mitigation strategies. This tool serves as a systematic approach for analyzing various factors that could impact flight safety, such as weather conditions, crew experience, aircraft status, and operational considerations. By identifying and quantifying risks, the FRAT allows flight crews to take proactive measures to mitigate these risks before they lead to safety issues.

Using the FRAT encourages a culture of safety within aviation operations, as crews are prompted to carefully consider all the variables involved in a flight and adjust their plans or procedures as needed. It contributes to better decision-making and fosters a collaborative environment where safety is prioritized.

Other choices do not encapsulate the broad and preventive nature of the FRAT. For instance, focusing solely on the crew's mental state may overlook critical environmental or operational factors, tracking completed flights does not address risk assessment, and organizing team-building exercises, while beneficial for teamwork, is not a core function of a tool aimed at assessing flight safety risks.