What is "cockpit resource management (CRM)"?

Cockpit resource management (CRM) is fundamentally about the effective use of all available resources to ensure safe and efficient flight operations. This encompasses not only the technical skills of the pilots but also their ability to communicate, make decisions, manage stress, and work as a team. CRM emphasizes the importance of utilizing both human and material resources—including crew members, equipment, information, and time—to optimize performance and enhance safety.

While the other options mention resources in specific contexts—fuel management, navigation management, and maintenance scheduling—none capture the broader concept of CRM. CRM prioritizes the collaborative environment in the cockpit, ensuring that all team members contribute to safe decision-making and problem-solving during flight. Hence, the definition that focuses on achieving safe flight through the effective use of resources aptly describes the core purpose of cockpit resource management.