FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Human Factors and ADMMedium
A pilot believes that accidents happen only to other, less skilled pilots, and continues flying into deteriorating weather without concern. This attitude is best classified as which hazardous attitude?
- AInvulnerability
- BAnti-authority
- CMacho
- DResignation
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Invulnerability
Invulnerability is the belief that 'it won't happen to me,' leading pilots to underestimate real risks, exactly as described in the scenario.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Anti-authority involves resenting rules, not personal risk assessment.
- C. Macho involves trying to prove superiority through risk-taking, not just disbelief in personal risk.
- D. Resignation involves feeling powerless to affect the outcome.
Hazardous Attitude: Invulnerability
The mistaken belief that accidents happen to others but not to oneself, leading to underestimation of risk.
- One of the FAA's five hazardous attitudes
- Antidote thought: 'It could happen to me'
- Common among experienced pilots who feel overconfident
Memory trick: AIM for safety: Anti-authority, Impulsivity, Invulnerability, Macho, Resignation.