Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 23:47:54 ET

Hazardous Attitudes

There are five types of attitudes that can be considered "hazardous". It is these attitudes that make us do things that have consequences that outweigh the reward.

Anti-Authority
Someone who "breaks the rules". The thinking of "I know better than the boss" falls under this category.
Example: Not following SOP or the CAR.

Impulsivity
Reacting before spending some time to think about your actions.
Example: Skipping items in a checklist because you're in a rush. Not doing a HASEL check because you're pressed for time.

Invulnerability
"Oh, nothing's going to happen to me" or "Bad things always happen to other people". Not thinking your actions will effect you at all.
Example: Someone who thinks they can do anything because they've been flying for many years.

Macho
Doing things you wouldn't normally do to fit in. Showing off to earn respect or impress someone.
Example: Trying to impress your captain by attempting a landing you're not comfortable with. Impressing friends by doing acrobatics when you're not trained/certified.

Resignation
Giving up when you know you're right. This usually happens when you're challenging someone of authority or above you.
Example: After telling the captain a couple of times that something doesn't look right, and he dismissing you each time, you give up.

At least one of these attitudes can be found in each aviation accident.

Comments (3) | Permalink | Category:

Not every aviation accident has one of the above attitudes, only the accidents which are deemed to be pilot error. Take, for example, if you are flying single pilot IFR in a basic airplane and ATC drives you into a mountain or if an AME forgets to tighten the internal engine bolts and the plane falls apart en route. In both those cases, none of the 5 attitudes are at fault, per se. But for the most part, you're correct.
-dr

Posted by: Douglas on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 20:06:50

Why don't we take your example further?

What was the reason for ATC driving you into a mountain? Perhaps anti-authority? Not following proper separation procedures?

Same for the AME, did he forget to tighten the screw because of impulsivity? Ie, he was doing a rushed job.

I do, however, see your point in that it may not be the pilots fault (and thus hazardous attitude) that got him into trouble. Consider the possibility that other humans in the chain of errors could have experienced such attitudes.

Posted by: Blake on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 20:49:56

Hey a lil off topic here but it says your Ground School cost you $3165.42. Thats a lot for ground school... Are you doing 1 on 1 time for your entire ground? Why didn't you just join the classroom? or does your flight school actually charge per hour of ground school?

Posted by: tigurius on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 12:48:12