The TOP 5 is a quantifiable list of hazards that contribute to the highest risk in the national airspace system. It is the culmination of the ATO's proactive safety management activities: valuing input from the frontline employees, deploying technology to gather data, improving analysis to identify risk, and embracing correction to mitigate risk.

In the past, the Top 5 were selected by looking at the rate of high-risk events identified through the airborne Risk Analysis Process (RAP). As the Top 5 has matured, other data sources are now included.

  

For the first time, this year's hazard data included surface RAP, and was augmented with ATSAP (controller reports) trends, Operational Skills Assessments (OSA), System Service Reviews (SSR), Runway Safety reports, and accident investigations from the NTSB and Safety and Technical Training Compliance Services Group.

Two of the five hazards focus on precursors and factors leading to Opposite Direction Operations. The Top 5 is also working in parallel with the National Safety Initiative to focus on the most serious cause of aviation-related fatalities: weather. The ATO continues to enhance safety data analysis, enabling prioritization for a broader range of safety issues.

Now, having said all of this stuff about what controllers will be working on this year to improve safety and performance, how does this affect pilots and their operations? Knowing what the controllers are focusing on should encourage the pilot to fly more precisely and pay more attention to "aviating-navigating-communicating" in such a way that enhances safety. Pilots should understand how these Top 5 issues can be integrated into their everyday pilot operations. Let me challenge you to come up with your own personal "Top 5" issues that will enhance the safety of your flying. I would love to hear from you!