Definition
A higher-order thinking skill in which a learner identifies an issue, gathers and evaluates relevant information, considers possible courses of action, selects and applies a solution, and then reviews the outcome. In aviation training, problem-solving is treated as a learned skill that progresses from recognizing the problem, through reasoning about it, to making and executing a sound decision.
Plain English
Working out what to do when something isn't straightforward — by spotting the issue, thinking it through, picking a course of action, and checking whether it worked.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation training discussions when instructors evaluate how a student handles mistakes, surprises, or tasks that do not go as planned.
Derivation
From 'problem' (Greek 'problema', meaning something put forward to be solved) and 'solve' (Latin 'solvere', to loosen or untie). The image is of taking something tangled and working it loose — which captures the mental process well.
Why Pilots Care
Strong problem-solving keeps small issues from turning into emergencies and is directly observed during practical tests.
Intuition Check
Problem-solving does not mean simply knowing the right answer ahead of time. In aviation, it means working through the situation in an orderly way until the real issue is understood and handled.
Example Sentence 1
When the alternator failed in cruise, the pilot used good problem-solving — reducing electrical load, choosing the nearest suitable airport, and briefing the approach before fatigue set in.
Example Sentence 2
After the lesson the instructor praised the problem-solving the student used when the wind shifted on final approach.