Plain English Meaning
Predictable mental and behavioral mistakes that pilots fall into, often because they are confident or under pressure, which can lead to bad decisions in the cockpit.
Full Definition
A recognized set of recurring behavioral traps that experienced pilots are particularly prone to, in which habits, attitudes, or pressures lead to poor decisions and unsafe actions despite the pilot's skill and knowledge. Common examples include peer pressure, get-there-itis, loss of situational awareness, complacency, and operating outside personal limits.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation instructor and pilot decision-making discussions, especially when reviewing why otherwise capable pilots make unsafe choices during real flights.