When there is an aviation accident or incident, one of the first things that happens is the Monday morning quarterbacking. Often, the discussions focus on the decision making of the pilot involved—and sometimes, we see ourselves in the pilot.
What would you do if you were in that situation?
You may be able to find out by watching “On Second Thought,” a monthly livestreamed video series premiering on January 20, 2026.
The live broadcast series is sponsored by Avemco Insurance Company, and viewers are eligible for FAA WINGS credit. In addition, Avemco pilots who subscribe to “On Second Thought Live” are eligible for a 5 percent discount on Avemco insurance.
The program is a combination of expert insights and discussions focused on understanding human factors with a goal toward improving aviation safety. The touchpoints are culled from the FAA and NTSB reports that list the top 10 human factor threats in generational aviation and the pilot characteristics that influence aeronautical decision making, such as age, gender, financial challenges, career pressures, relationship conflicts, peer pressure, and cognitive biases.
Through discussion, pilots will be encouraged to adopt practical strategies to avoid these behavioral traps.
About the Presenters
On Second Thought (OST) is cohosted by Jolie Lucas and Harvey Madison, two nationally known aviation advocates.
Lucas is a Mooney owner, licensed psychotherapist, instrument-rated commercial pilot, and occasional contributor to FLYING. Many pilots are familiar with Lucas, a nationally known aviation advocate who often speaks at aviation trade shows and conferences addressing pilot decision making. Her talks are usually very well attended.
She is also the founder of “Right Seat Ready!” and “Pilot Plus One,” two seminars designed to help the companions of pilots get a better understanding of what is happening in the cockpit so they have a more enjoyable aviation experience. Lucas, who is also a vice president with the California Pilots Association, is a second-generation pilot and is driven to get more people involved in aviation.
“For me to be involved, we needed a focus that wasn’t already online,” Lucas said. “In the four years I have been teaching on brain science and decision making, it became clear when emergencies unfold, clarity becomes a lifesaving skill. Our goal is to educate pilots and mechanics on the top human factor safety risks.”
Madison is a private pilot and an instructional designer in the flight training simulation industry and works for a major flight simulation manufacturer creating proficiency programs for pilots. He partners with Lucas and aviation advocacy groups such as NAFI, EAA, WAI, and AOPA, to name a few, and the FAASTeam to promote aviation safety and pilot proficiency.
Madison has been working with Lucas, providing support with aviation training devices during her Right Seat Ready! and Pilot Plus One programs. He considers the opportunity to host OST as a way to reach pilots in an effort to reduce the general aviation accident rate.
“On Second Thought is a tremendous opportunity to reach more pilots in pursuit of accomplishing this mission,” Madison said. “I only want to produce material that actually works, which means I do my homework on messaging and educational psychology. Humorous deliveries frequently result in highly effective education and real pro-safety changes in behavior. A lot of my material reflects this.
“Before every presentation I deliver, article I write, simulator scenario I build, and curriculum I design, I imagine the parents, spouse, children, and friends of a victim of poor aeronautical decision-making. I imagine not only their initial shock but also the quiet, crushing moments of hopelessness and despair months and years later that nothing can ever fix. I’m drawn to flight because that’s how I’m wired. I have to fly. It’s part of my identity.
“It gives me unworldly joy. It’s how I experience beauty. No one should die or lose someone they love and rely on simply for fulfilling such an elemental and beautiful need.”
OST is produced by John Teipen, a Gold Seal flight instructor with privileges for teaching in airplanes both single and multiengine, instrument, glider, and seaplanes. In 2005 Teipen was named FAA National Flight Instructor of the Year and in 2008 earned FAA National FAASTeam Representative of the Year. Those are just a few of the awards he has received for his service to the industry. At present he is president of Aeronautical Proficiency Training and board chair of the WINGS Industry Network.
Like Lucas and Madison, Teipen has a strong dedication to improving the safety of flight, in particular breaking down the mindsets that exist and result in pilots making the same mistakes over and over again.
According to Teipen, the focus is on pilots exploring their safety profile.
“If one better understands personality traits and motivations, how those can affect safety, and how to mitigate potential threats, outcomes might be changed for the better,” he said. “OST is a step in that process for viewers to learn more about how personality traits might drive motivations that consistently tempt fate.”
On Second Thought will be available every third Tuesday of the month at onsecondthought.me. Each episode will be archived for on-demand viewing.
