Hazardous Attitudes: Life Lessons From Pilot Training

Thursday, August 08, 2019 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments



I’m in the process of preparing for my FAA sUAS (drone) remote pilot re-certification for my aerial imaging business (www.aglaerialimaging.com). Part of the standards deal with something called “hazardous attitudes.” These attitudes will likely lead to a mishap. The principles are also taught to pilots of manned aircraft. This is good advice for your life! 

Hazardous Attitudes include:

1. 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 as silly or unnecessary. Of course, it’s always your prerogative to question authority if you feel it is in error. But don’t be anti-authority.

2. 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 select the best alternative, and they do the first thing that comes to mind.

3. Invulnerability
It won’t happen to me. Many people feel that accidents happen to others but never to them. They know accidents can happen, and they know that anyone can be affected, but they never really feel or believe that they will be personally involved. Remote pilots who think this way are more likely to take chances and increase risk.

4. Machismo (or Macho)
I can do it. Remote pilots who are always trying to prove that they are better than everyone else are thinking, "I can do it – I'll show them." Pilots with this type of attitude will try to prove themselves by taking risks in order to impress others. And no, this is not just a male characteristic! Women are equally susceptible to macho attitudes. Many times, the basic drive for a pilot to demonstrate the "right stuff" can have an adverse effect on safety, by generating tendencies that lead to practices that are dangerous, often illegal, and may lead to a mishap.

5. Resignation
What’s the use? Remote pilots who think, "What's the use?" They 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 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."

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