Aviation Decision Making

First; Good decisions are generally Pro-active rather than Re-active.

The FAA ADM Advisory circular 60-22 list some five Hazardous Attitudes that interfere with good decision making.  They are –

1.      Anti-Authority:  (I’ll decide what’s best for me)
Antidote: Recognize that rules are generally based on safety and experience information that you may not be aware of.

2.      Impulsivity:  (Quick and rash decisions)
Antidote:  Think of the possible situations this decision will create.

3.      Macho:  (Watch this)
Antidote: What is your impression of a person that would be positively impressed?  It is better to be stolid and be thought a fool than to act and remove all doubt.

4.      Invulnerability:  (Only the good die young)
Antidote: Brush that Guardian Angel off your shoulder.  It could be complacency in disguise.

5.      Resignation:  (What’s the use)  (It’s all God’s will, I can’t change it)
Antidote: God helps he who helps himself.

Here are a few more I might add.

6.      Confusion:  (Who’s right?)  (Information overload)
Antidote: For the right answer for you if you have time – be a brain picker – Throw it all in the pot and see what you can cook up.  If you are overloaded, sort out what’s pertinent and ignore the rest.

7.      Get-there-itis:  (My arrival is important to someone else)
Antidote: “Have some time to spare if you go by air.”  “Better late than never.”

8.      Peer Pressure:  (They know what’s good for me)
Antidote: Who sets the standards?  Are they here?  Maybe I should.

9.      Standard Procedures:  (By the book)
Antidote: Is this the standard situation they designed for?

10. By the numbers:  (Figures don’t lie, but liars figure)
Antidote: Do the math.