Definition
An antidote phrase used in aeronautical decision-making (ADM) to counter the hazardous attitude of impulsivity. The pilot recites it to themselves when they recognize the urge to act immediately without thinking through the consequences, deliberately pausing to evaluate the situation before taking action.
Plain English
A short phrase a pilot says to themselves to slow down and think before acting, used as a built-in check against the habit of doing the first thing that comes to mind.
Context Anchor
Used in aeronautical decision-making training as the corrective phrase for the impulsive attitude of wanting to act immediately without enough thought.
Derivation
The FAA pairs each of the five hazardous attitudes (anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, resignation) with a memorized antidote phrase. This phrase is the antidote for impulsivity — the tendency to do something, anything, immediately.
Why Pilots Care
Helps prevent accidents caused by hasty actions by interrupting impulsive behavior and encouraging deliberate decision-making.
Grounding Statement
In the cockpit, this means putting a brief pause between a surprise and your next action.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as ordinary advice to be slow. In this FAA context, it is the specific safety reminder for impulsivity: pause, think, then act.
Example Sentence 1
When the engine ran rough on climbout, the pilot caught himself reaching for the fuel selector and silently said, 'Not so fast. Think first.' before working the checklist.
Example Sentence 2
Faced with unexpected traffic ahead, the pilot told himself, 'Not so fast. Think first,' and chose a safer go-around instead of forcing the landing.