Plain English Meaning

A pilot's bad habit of thinking the rules don't apply to them. The fix is to remind yourself that the rules exist for good reasons and to follow them.

Full Definition

One of the five hazardous attitudes identified by the FAA. It is the mindset of a pilot who resents being told what to do and tends to disregard rules, regulations, procedures, or the instructions of others, often expressed as the thought 'Don't tell me!' The standard antidote thought is: 'Follow the rules. They are usually right.'

Context Anchor

Seen in FAA discussions of hazardous attitudes, especially in the “Don’t tell me” attitude shown in the Aviation Instructor’s Handbook.