Definition
Stress that a pilot creates internally by feeling obligated to complete a flight or meet a schedule, often because passengers, family, employers, or personal commitments are expecting them to arrive on time. It is a hazardous attitude factor that can push a pilot to fly when conditions, the aircraft, or the pilot's own readiness do not support a safe flight.
Plain English
It's the pressure you put on yourself to get the flight done because people are counting on you. No one is forcing you, but you feel like you have to go anyway.
Context Anchor
Seen in aeronautical decision-making discussions, especially when passengers, schedules, or personal goals make a pilot feel pushed to continue a flight.
Derivation
Self-induced' simply means brought on by yourself. The phrase highlights that the pressure is not coming from outside forces such as weather or ATC, but from the pilot's own thinking.
Why Pilots Care
It can push a pilot to continue into deteriorating weather or skip safety steps to avoid disappointing passengers.
Grounding Statement
A pilot feels self-induced pressure when the safest choice is clear, but an inner voice says, “I should make this work anyway.”
Intuition Check
Self-induced pressure does not mean pressure from the aircraft or the atmosphere. It means pressure the pilot creates in their own decision-making.
Example Sentence 1
He knew the weather was marginal, but self-induced pressure to get his family home for the holiday almost convinced him to launch anyway.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot’s self-induced pressure increased when a passenger mentioned an important meeting, leading to a more conservative go/no-go decision.