Pilots embody the word “cool,” and there are many things that make them worthy of the word. It’s partly because of the uniform, partly because the profession requires them to fly, and partly because their role gives them absolute command of very expensive and sophisticated machines. But a pilot’s coolness is more than skin deep. It’s essential for these aviation professionals to remain perfectly calm, composed, and capable of making quick yet sound decisions even when things aren’t going according to plan.
If you’re looking forward to a career in the aviation industry as a pilot, then it’s a must for you to hone your decision-making skills as early as now. To that end, here are some tips from top pilot school Alpha Aviation Group (AAG):
Master and Review the System You Are Using
As an aspiring pilot, it’s important to pay close attention in the classes you’re attending and understand the different systems you’ll be working with. Being a diligent student will not only help you pass your course with flying colors, but it will also help you navigate situations where you have to keep a cool head and exercise quick decision-making skills.
Mastering and reviewing your lessons will help you quickly remember what you need to do when something unexpected takes place during your watch. Having a good grasp of your lessons and a solid foundation of knowledge for particular aircraft systems will help you quickly pinpoint what’s causing the issue and do what you need to do to correct it.
Make an Effort to Improve Your Situational Awareness
Being able to maintain a heightened level of awareness can help you avoid getting into situations where you’ll have to make a difficult decision in a snap. If you’re well aware of what’s happening around you, you can immediately sense if something’s off and correct it before it starts causing trouble. Even before you earn your wings, practice keeping a close eye on your surroundings and remembering details that will allow you to decide things with conviction.
Accept the Possibility That Bad Things Can Happen
Some people make a conscious effort to ignore or deny the possibility that unwanted events can happen while they’re in charge. Adopting such a mindset can be dangerous, as it can prompt you to respond to serious situations with denial instead of trying to fix the issue before it becomes a bigger problem.
From the get-go, it’s much better to get used to the idea that accidents, failures, and other negative events can take place on a flight, and as the pilot, you might be the only person who can set things right. Anticipating unfortunate events and being prepared to act will prepare you to make hard calls when the situation arises.
Understand That the Human Mind Has Its Inherent Flaws
The human mind is not perfect, and it can sometimes work against a pilot or their crew despite hours of preparation and experience. Some people are naturally prone to forgetting things, while others tend to act without thinking.
While natural, these mental lapses can put people’s lives in danger. Being aware of these shortcomings—both in yourself and in other people—can help you avoid them. You should also make it a point to use tools like checklists to stay on top of all your responsibilities and must-dos. With these tools at your disposal, you’ll be able to cover all your bases with consistency even if you tend to forget some of your concerns every now and then.
Recognize When You Use Mental Shortcuts and What the Dangers Are
By nature, piloting is often a mentally demanding and overwhelming profession. Some people cope with such heavy responsibilities by creating mental shortcuts and disregarding the nuances of some of the situations they encounter.
There are people who associate chest pain with heart attacks and head straight to the ER even when they’re just experiencing heartburn. This same train of thought can occur to pilots, and it’s important for a pilot to recognize when such generalizations take place.
Having more self-awareness about your own tendency to utilize mental shortcuts will help you stay perceptive of just how safe or dangerous things are for you in a particular situation. Don’t be afraid to be honest with yourself about mental shortcuts you’ve used in the past to unconsciously make yourself feel good or blow a minor issue out of proportion just because you’re predisposed to always assuming the worst.
Practice Making Quick Decisions When It’s Safe to Do So
Modern technologies have made it possible for pilots to simulate dangerous situations in a safe manner. Pilot schools like AAG, for instance, employ simulators to train their students so that they can respond properly to different scenarios.
In your off-time, you can also check out games that offer a somewhat realistic experience of commanding an aircraft. Try using these platforms to simulate a dangerous situation and determine what you can do to ensure everyone’s safety, then go over your response with an instructor or your trusted peers in the aviation field when the opportunity presents itself.
Honing Your Decision-Making Skills with AAG
If you’re keen on further honing your decision-making skills as a pilot, you’ll find expert training when you sign up for a course at AAG. We offer an extensive range of AAG pilot training solutions, including our AAG First Officer Preparation (FOP)™ training course.
Undergoing further training with AAG will help you prepare for further responsibilities as an aspiring first officer, including making quick and data-driven decisions in a calm manner. Imbibe the cool and cool-headed qualities that define a pilot and get in touch with AAG today to begin your pilot training!