FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Human Factors and ADMMedium
A pilot planning a flight has passengers who are eager to reach a family event on time. Even though weather conditions are marginal, the pilot feels compelled to depart to avoid disappointing them. This self-induced psychological pressure to complete a flight as planned is commonly referred to as which of the following?
- ANormalization of deviance
- BGet-there-itis
- CAnti-authority attitude
- DPeer pressure
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Get-there-itis
'Get-there-itis' describes a pilot's fixation on reaching the destination as planned, often leading to poor risk decisions such as departing into marginal weather. It is a form of self-induced pressure rather than pressure imposed by others.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Normalization of deviance refers to gradually accepting unsafe practices as normal after repeated exposure without consequence.
- C. Anti-authority attitude involves resisting rules or regulations, not the drive to reach a destination.
- D. Peer pressure specifically involves influence from other people, though passengers may contribute, the standard term for this fixation is get-there-itis.
Get-There-Itis
A hazardous mindset where a pilot becomes fixated on completing a flight as originally planned, often ignoring safer alternatives such as delaying or canceling.
- Common contributing factor in weather-related accidents
- Driven by schedule pressure, external commitments, or ego
- Best countered by having and using personal minimums and alternate plans
Memory trick: 'Get-there-itis' = tunnel vision toward the destination, ignoring the storm clouds