Plain English Meaning

Refusing to admit that something true is actually true, usually because admitting it would feel uncomfortable or threatening.

Full Definition

A defense mechanism in which a person refuses to acknowledge the existence or reality of an unpleasant fact, situation, or limitation in order to protect themselves from anxiety or discomfort. In aviation instruction, denial is recognized as a barrier to learning because a student who denies a weakness, error, or risk cannot correct it.

Context Anchor

Seen in Aviation Instructor’s Handbook discussions of student behavior, stress, judgment, and how instructors recognize reactions that can interfere with safe learning or flying.

Derivation

From the Latin denegare, meaning 'to refuse' or 'to say no to.' The aviation use keeps that core idea: the student is saying 'no' to a fact rather than accepting it.