Plain English Meaning

The 'what's the use?' attitude. The pilot gives up trying to fix or improve the situation because they feel nothing they do will change the outcome.

Full Definition

One of the five hazardous attitudes identified by the FAA, characterized by a pilot's belief that they have no real influence over the outcome of a situation, leading them to accept events passively rather than take corrective action. The recognized antidote is the thought: 'I am not helpless. I can make a difference.'

Context Anchor

Seen in hazardous attitude training, especially when discussing the “What’s the use?” attitude and its antidote.

Derivation

From the Latin resignare, meaning 'to give back' or 'unseal.' Over time it came to mean handing something over or letting it go. In this context, the pilot is effectively handing the outcome over to fate instead of taking command of the .