The Notorious Five

These attitudes were formulated by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in response to a commission by FAA Federal Aviation Authority to develop and validate training programs to address the problem of poor pilot decision making.

All pilots must be fully aware of these attitudes and be able to avoid them as they have strong negative impact on decision making and judgment.

1. Resignation

Whats the use? Forget it. I give up!

When a flight don't go as planned or when confusion arises, it is human nature to blame it on fate. However, in aviation 'leaving it to fate' might and most probably compromise the safety of the flight. It is essential for all pilots to remain proactive and also reactive.

2. Anti-Authority

Why should I listen to you?

This attitude usually surfaces upon people who have non conformist tendencies. Pilots that express such an attitude are usually resentful towards comments and/or advice from others, be it superiors or subordinates. The also tend to disregard operating procedures, rules and regulations. However, there is a fine line that lies between 'anti-authority' and healthy skepticism.

3. Impulsivity

Fuck it, let's go!

This occurs to pilots who feel the need to do anything, immediately. Such people who display such attitude work on the concept that 'doing something is better than doing nothing'. Such an example of impulsivity occurs particularly in the ab-initio stages of flight training. For example when facing unusual attitudes such as a descending turn, most pilots would pull back on the control column on impulse. Doing so would cause indicated airspeed to increase dangerously, hence proper procedure would be to throttle back before applying back pressure. Acting on impulse is dangerous as it usually involve uncalculated and irrational actions.

4. Invulnerability

It won't happen to me!

Despite the fact that mishaps in aviation do have a rather low percentage probability, many still rest assured on this fact and oft take it for granted. Such attitudes would compromise vigilance and cause pilots to overlook certain issues that they feel are of less importance (going thru checklist twice, good lookout). Remember accidents can happen to ANYONE!

5. Macho

I've got this!

Pilots have a tendency to show how good they are. Many associate this attitude with males (especially those who display alpha male characteristics) but such an attitude can also happen in females. It occurs when pilots are trying to prove themselves in the wrong way, which often results in taking unnecessary risks. See: YouTube.