Aeronautical Decision-Making

The inexperienced pilot may see the nick as a high risk factor in the difference between the forecast altitudes, he assigned because he is unsure of the affect the nick will have on the a low risk to the hazard and took a chance. He and the operation of the prop, and he has been told that damage to passengers died from a poor risk assessment of the situation. a prop could cause a catastrophic failure. This assessment leads him to cancel his flight. Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes Being fit to fly depends on more than just a pilot’s physical Therefore, elements or factors affecting individuals are condition and recent experience. For example, attitude different and profoundly impact decision-making. These affects the quality of decisions. Attitude is a motivational are called human factors and can transcend education, predisposition to respond to people, situations, or events in a experience, health, physiological aspects, etc. given manner. Studies have identified five hazardous attitudes that can interfere with the ability to make sound decisions Another example of risk assessment was the flight of a and exercise authority properly: anti-authority, impulsivity, Beechcraft King Air equipped with deicing and anti-icing. invulnerability, macho, and resignation. [Figure 2-4] The pilot deliberately flew into moderate to severe icing conditions while ducking under cloud cover. A prudent pilot Hazardous attitudes contribute to poor pilot judgment but would assess the risk as high and beyond the capabilities of can be effectively counteracted by redirecting the hazardous the aircraft, yet this pilot did the opposite. Why did the pilot attitude so that correct action can be taken. Recognition of take this action? hazardous thoughts is the first step toward neutralizing them. After recognizing a thought as hazardous, the pilot should Past experience prompted the action. The pilot had label it as hazardous, then state the corresponding antidote. successfully flown into these conditions repeatedly although Antidotes should be memorized for each of the hazardous the icing conditions were previously forecast 2,000 feet above attitudes so they automatically come to mind when needed. the surface. This time, the conditions were forecast from the surface. Since the pilot was in a hurry and failed to factor The Five Hazardous Attitudes Antidote Anti-authority: “Don’t tell me.” This attitude is found in people who do not like anyone telling them what to do. In a sense, they are saying, “No one can tell me what to do.” They may be resentful of having someone tell them what to do or may regard rules, regulations, and procedures Follow the rules. They are usually right. as silly or unnecessary. However, it is always your prerogative to question authority if you feel it is in error. Impulsivity: “Do it quickly.” This is the attitude of people who frequently feel the need to do something, anything, immediately. They do not stop to think about what they are about to do, they do not Not so fast. Think first. select the best alternative, and they do the first thing that comes to mind. Invulnerability: “It won’t happen to me.” Many people falsely believe that accidents happen to others, but never to them. They know accidents can happen, and they know that anyone can be affected. However, It could happen to me. they never really feel or believe that they will be personally involved. Pilots who think this way are more likely to take chances and increase risk. Macho: “I can do it.” Pilots who are always trying to prove that they are better than anyone else think, “I can do it—I'll show them.” Pilots with this type of attitude will try to prove themselves by Taking chances is foolish. taking risks in order to impress others. While this pattern is thought to be a male characteristic, women are equally susceptible. Resignation: “What’s the use?” Pilots who think, “What’s the use?” do not see themselves as being able to make a great deal of difference in what happens to them. When things go well, the pilot is apt to think that it is good luck. When things go badly, the pilot may feel that someone is I’m not helpless. I can make a difference. out to get them or attribute it to bad luck. The pilot will leave the action to others, for better or worse. Sometimes, such pilots will even go along with unreasonable requests just to be a "nice guy." Figure 2-4. The five hazardous attitudes identified through past and contemporary study. 2-5