Definition
An informal aviation term for the self-imposed pressure to depart or continue a flight despite conditions, fatigue, or other factors that would normally prompt a pilot to delay or cancel. It describes the mindset in which the urge to 'just go' overrides sound aeronautical decision-making.
Plain English
The strong pull to take off or keep flying when you really shouldn't, usually because you've already committed to the trip in your head.
Context Anchor
Seen in preflight decision-making, especially when using the PAVE checklist under External Pressures.
Derivation
A made-up word combining the casual phrase 'let's go' with the suffix '-itis,' which in medicine means an inflammation or condition (as in arthritis or appendicitis). The joking implication is that the urge to depart has become a kind of ailment affecting the pilot's judgment.
Why Pilots Care
It can override sound judgment and cause pilots to accept unnecessary risks that lead to accidents or incidents.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as normal motivation or confidence. In aviation, let’s-go-itis means pressure to go is starting to overpower safe judgment.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor warned the student about let's-go-itis after he wanted to depart into deteriorating weather just because his family was waiting at the destination.
Example Sentence 2
Recognizing let's-go-itis allowed the pilot to tell the passengers they would wait until conditions improved.