What does PM stand for in the context of flight operations?

In the context of flight operations, PM stands for Pilot Monitoring. This term is critical in the context of crew resource management, reflecting the role of the pilot who is not actively flying the aircraft at any given moment but is responsible for monitoring the aircraft's systems, the flight path, and the other pilot's actions.

The Pilot Monitoring plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of the flight by aiding in decision-making, managing communications, and maintaining situational awareness. This role helps ensure that the flying pilot remains focused on executing the flight safely while the monitoring pilot can provide support and catch any potential errors or oversights. The use of a designated Pilot Monitoring promotes effective teamwork in the cockpit, which is foundational to safe flight operations.

This focus on collaboration and shared responsibilities between pilots reflects the importance of each role in maintaining safety and efficiency in flight operations, making the designation of PM as Pilot Monitoring essential within the aviation context.