Hazardous Attitudes

Hazardous Attitudes

Being fit to fly requires more than physical readiness and recent experience. A pilot's attitude has a significant impact on decision-making and flight safety. Attitude refers to a predisposition to respond to people, situations, or events in a particular manner. While a positive mindset enhances safe decision-making, certain hazardous attitudes can compromise judgment and safety. Recognizing and managing these attitudes is essential for maintaining safe flight operations.

The Five Hazardous Attitudes

Research has identified five primary hazardous attitudes that can interfere with sound decision-making and proper authority execution. Understanding these attitudes and their antidotes helps pilots mitigate their effects.

1. Anti-Authority

• Description: This attitude reflects a disregard for rules, regulations, or procedures. Pilots with this mindset may believe that rules are unnecessary or overly restrictive.

• Common Thoughts: "Don’t tell me what to do."

• Antidote: "Follow the rules. They are usually right."

2. Impulsivity

• Description: Pilots exhibiting impulsivity tend to act without thinking. They may make decisions hastily without considering potential outcomes.

• Common Thoughts: "Do it quickly!"

• Antidote: "Not so fast. Think first."

3. Invulnerability

• Description: This attitude leads pilots to believe that accidents only happen to others, not to them. It results in taking unnecessary risks.

• Common Thoughts: "It won’t happen to me."

• Antidote: "It could happen to me."

4. Macho

• Description: Pilots with a macho attitude often try to prove their competence by taking unnecessary risks. This mindset may arise from overconfidence.

• Common Thoughts: "I can do it — I’ll show them."

• Antidote: "Taking chances is foolish."

5. Resignation

• Description: Resignation involves a sense of helplessness or an unwillingness to make decisions. Pilots may feel that their actions do not matter.

• Common Thoughts: "What’s the use?"

• Antidote: "I’m not helpless. I can make a difference."

Recognizing and Counteracting Hazardous Attitudes

The first step in managing hazardous attitudes is recognizing their presence. Pilots should continually monitor their thoughts and behaviors, particularly in stressful or high-pressure situations. Once a hazardous thought is identified, it is important to label it and consciously apply the appropriate antidote.

Example Scenario: A pilot experiencing mechanical issues may feel tempted to push forward to the destination, thinking, "It won’t happen to me." Recognizing the invulnerability attitude, the pilot should apply the antidote by acknowledging the real possibility of a mishap and opting to land at the nearest safe airport.

Hazardous attitudes can compromise flight safety, but through self-awareness and the application of antidotes, pilots can maintain sound decision-making. Continual practice in recognizing and correcting these attitudes will lead to safer flights and more effective aeronautical decision-making.