In the high-stakes world of aviation, cognitive biases can lead to critical errors in decision-making and judgment. Understanding these biases is crucial for improving flight safety and preventing avoidable accidents. Here are some common cognitive biases that affect pilots:
Pilots may seek out information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or expectations, potentially ignoring contradictory evidence. This can lead to misinterpretation of instrument readings or weather conditions.
Experienced pilots might overestimate their abilities, leading to risky decisions such as flying in dangerous weather conditions or pushing fuel limits.
Pilots may rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive, such as an initial weather report, even when updated information becomes available.
Also known as "get-there-itis," this bias can cause pilots to stick to their original flight plan despite changing conditions that may warrant alterations or cancellation.
Pilots might continue with a potentially dangerous course of action because they've already invested time and resources, rather than making a safer decision to turn back or divert.
Over-reliance on automated systems can lead to complacency and reduced situational awareness, potentially causing pilots to miss critical manual checks or override correct automated decisions.
To address these biases and improve flight safety: