External Variables Can Change a Pilot’s Decision-Making Processes

People watching is a bit different when the eyes are on you.

Friday, November 15, 2024 at 08:51 AM ET

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FLYING contributor Ben Young says the decisions he makes as a pilot when I am alone versus when someone is watching are not the same, though both reflect a genuine part of myself. [Courtesy: Ben Younger]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots' decision-making can be significantly influenced by external social pressures and the awareness of being observed, potentially compromising good airmanship, as illustrated by the author's difficult landing at East Hampton.
Achieving genuine self-awareness regarding one's susceptibility to these external influences and hazardous attitudes is challenging, as individuals often perceive themselves as immune.
Despite the strong pull of social pressure, it is crucial for pilots to prioritize self-preservation and safety, even if it means going against implied expectations or perceived annoyance from others, as demonstrated by the author's decision at Van Nuys.
The article emphasizes the complex interplay of internal and external factors on decision-making, highlighting that behavior and choices are variable and depend heavily on who is watching.

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I love people watching. I could sit in the park all day and just stare.

Might as well be at the zoo. Implicit in the activity is the understanding that the person being observed not be aware of the examination. It is believed that once someone knows eyes are on them, they act differently. The behavior exhibited is no longer genuine. I would argue that the behavior may be different, but it is no less real.

Ben Younger

Ben Younger is a TV and film writer/director, avid motorcyclist and surfer—but it’s being a pilot that he treats as a second profession. Find him on Instagram @thisisbenyounger.