Ethical Dilemmas in Flying

 

            Ethics in all aspects of aviation are necessary for safety during the day-to-day activities in flying.  As a pilot, being aware of the ethical dilemmas that may exist during a flight can lead to a safer flight.

            One of the first lessons taught to a student pilot are the five hazardous attitudes to flying.  They are anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, and resignation; each of these non-ethical attitudes have a remedy.  Anti-authority exists when the pilot is aware of any rules that they might be breaking, and simply says. “this doesn’t apply to me.”  The rules are usually right, and no one should actively seek to break the rules.  Impulsivity occurs when the pilot is making decisions urgently, without thinking about the potential consequences.  Taking your time to problem solve and allowing yourself to think clearly will ultimately lead to a safer flight.  Invulnerability occurs when the pilot thinks that nothing bad can ever happen to them when they are behind the controls.  Becoming complacent to what could happen to you while you are flying is hazardous because any emergency that can happen, will happen to not only you, but to anyone.  Reviewing your emergency procedures and being aware you are not invincible can help remedy this attitude.  Feeling macho is most associated with pilots since most people associate flying with thrill-seeking behavior.  However, telling yourself “taking chances is foolish,” can help keep yourself in check the next time you decide to fly with your friends.  Lastly, resignation is felt when the pilot has given up on a certain task or procedure.  This can be particularly harmful if this attitude becomes habitual, because during an actual emergency, the pilot may simply resign from the situation.  A remedy for this attitude is to tell your self that you are still useful, and there still something you can do (Veillette, 2016, p. 4).

            While these non-ethical attitudes written for pilots, they can also be used in other sectors in aviation and sectors in the workforce.  Keeping these remedies in mind leads to safer pilots and safer flights. 

 

References

Veillette, P., Dr. (2016). Chapter 2. In Pilot's handbook of aeronautical knowledge (p. 4). Oklahoma City, OK: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards Service.