PHAK 2-22

Stressors Environmental Conditions associated with the environment, such as temperature and humidity extremes, noise, vibration, and lack of oxygen. Physiological stress Physical conditions, such as fatigue, lack of physical fitness, sleep loss, missed meals (leading to low blood sugar levels), and illness. Psychological stress Social or emotional factors, such as a death in the family, a divorce, a sick child, or a demotion at work. This type of stress may also be related to mental workload, such as analyzing a problem, navigating an aircraft, or making decisions. Figure 2-16. System stressors. Environmental, physiological, and psychological stress are factors that affect decision-making skills. These stressors have a profound impact especially during periods of high workload. Figure 2-15. Typical operational pitfalls requiring pilot awareness. Operational pitfalls Peer pressure Poor decision-making may be based upon an emotional response to peers, rather than evaluating a situation objectively. Mindset A pilot displays mind set through an inability to recognize and cope with changes in a given situation. Get-there-itis This disposition impairs pilot judgment through a fixation on the original goal or destination, combined with a disregard for any alternative course of action. Duck-under syndrome A pilot may be tempted to make it into an airport by descending below minimums during an approach. There may be a belief that there is a built-in margin of error in every approach procedure, or a pilot may want to admit that the landing cannot be completed and a missed approach must be initiated. Scud running This occurs when a pilot tries to maintain visual contact with the terrain at low altitudes while instrument conditions exist. Continuing visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument conditions Spatial disorientation or collision with ground/obstacles may occur when a pilot continues VFR into instrument conditions. This can be even more dangerous if the pilot is not instrument rated or current. Getting behind the aircraft This pitfall can be caused by allowing events or the situation to control pilot actions. A constant state of surprise at what happens next may be exhibited when the pilot is getting behind the aircraft. Loss of positional or situational awareness In extreme cases, when a pilot gets behind the aircraft, a loss of positional or situational awareness may result. The pilot may not know the aircraft’s geographical location or may be unable to recognize deteriorating circumstances. Operating without adequate fuel reserves Ignoring minimum fuel reserve requirements is generally the result of overconfidence, lack of flight planning, or disregarding applicable regulations. Descent below the minimum en route altitude The duck-under syndrome, as mentioned above, can also occur during the en route portion of an IFR flight. Flying outside the envelope The assumed high performance capability of a particular aircraft may cause a mistaken belief that it can meet the demands imposed by a pilot’s overestimated flying skills. Neglect of flight planning, preflight inspections, and checklists A pilot may rely on short- and long-term memory, regular flying skills, and familiar routes instead of established procedures and published checklists. This can be particularly true of experienced pilots. Operational Pitfalls