Pilot Rage Kyle Livelsberger What is Pilot Rage

Pilot Rage Kyle Livelsberger

What is “Pilot Rage”? • When pilots or ATC get angry as a result of various factors, resulting in a potential safety risk.

What causes this? • Pilot rage has multiple causes, including the following; • -Long hours for ATCs and Pilots • -Misunderstanding or miscommunication. • -Conflicts of Interest • -Loss of control

Example of Air Rage.

What Happened? • Pilot made a mistake and went to the wrong runway • Pilot got angry with ATC for “perceived rudeness” • ATC attempting to explain a request for clarification • Took intervention from another pilot to quiet the argument (disrupting other air traffic).

How does this affect safety? • To quote an FAA document on the matter, “If pilots are both hurried and mad, their engine(s) may take them directly to the scene of a crash. ” • Disrupts the flow of other air traffic (see video, 1: 57 -2: 30). • “ Angry people expressed optimistic risk estimates and risk-seeking choices” (Lerner).

Techniques to Avoid Air Rage • A doctor named Glenn R. Stoutt, who has worked extensively with the FAA has released a comprehensive list of stress relief techniques, which can be found here. • Taking deep breaths. • Remember that safety is a collaborative effort. • Respect those on the other side of the radio.

Bibliography • Lerner, J. S. (2001). Fear, anger, and risk. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 81(1), 146 -159. • Stoutt, G. R. (2018). Anger: How to Control a Killer Emotion. Federal Aviation Administration.