Dear friends followers! Today's question is maybe a little bit off-topic
But I got many requests to make this video and the question is do pilots ever get nervous?
This question is a valuable question and I put some thought into it to give you a
decent answer. Okay first off pilots are as human as anyone else
and we're not anything special, and we have feelings and emotions like any man or woman out there.
So yes of course we do get nervous.
and when I have to prepare a speech for a friend's wedding or a birthday I get nervous talking in front of 100 people and
if I would have to go bungee jumping I would get nervous trust me.
But I guess the question was more referred to if pilots get nervous whilst flying. When I performed my first
actual landing on the Airbus A320 with passengers on board I was sweating water bottles.
Sure, I got nervous worrying about maybe
I have to perform a go-around or hard landing. A thousand things brush through your head on your
first landing no doubt about it. Other than that
I assume that every pilot gets a little nervous prior to his three annual check flights, two in the simulator and one line check in the actual airplane
with the examiner sitting right behind you. No one likes the situation of being evaluated on his performance.
So obviously everyone gets a little nervous of failing the check flight.
But there's actually no reason to worry because the examiner will file a report on your weaknesses and schedule some additional training
in that particular area you might have some difficulties.
That's what simulator training is all about and you will become better and better and more skilled with each check flight.
But there's one key thing you can do to become less nervous in any area if it's a check flight,
thunderstorms, turbulence, or fear of a technical malfunction.
Preparation. It's all about being well-prepared.
Ok, I'll give you a good example. During your briefing you prepare yourself for the upcoming flights of the day and you go through
the weather charts, and you spot a jet stream cutting your flight route. Ok, first reason to get a little nervous.
What do you do? You know when crossing a jet stream
you're most likely going to encounter some turbulence.
So you check the level the jet stream is at and compared to your cruising level. Ok in our example
they're at the same level so you might consider to climb a little higher
or even descend to not cross the jet stream at its core.
You'll check the time you're most probably going to cross the jet stream,
you collect all data possible, brief the cabin crew on possible turbulence
so you and your crew are now mentally prepared for a possible bumpy flight at a given time.
So why be nervous you've done everything in your power you prepared yourself and when the time comes
You know this was going to happen the same as if you weren't preparing for your math exam
You already know the outcome is probably going to be bad
So better prepare yourself properly be less stressed prior the exam and give it all you've got
Once you're in the exam
Then you might ask if pilots get nervous due to a technical problem
Sure your subconsciousness might be worrying about the technical failure in flight, but again. It's all about
Preparation for example during your briefing you also check the technical logbook for any aircraft
Defects from previous flights, so let's Imagine the last pilot
Stated that one of the engines starts to vibrate more than unusual whilst climbing but within limits
So again you've prepared yourself and mentally on the state of the aircraft and pay close attention whilst
climbing if the vibrations get any worse
Another example you receive the ATIS and a flock of birds near the runway is reported
what do you do? You mention it during your
Emergency briefing on ground to your captain that we should keep a lookout for birds when lining up on the runway
And maybe wait a few seconds before
Applying takeoff thrust and get your mind set for a possible engine failure in case you encounter a bird strike
Think about the simulator training you've had quickly review the procedures in your head
that's why flight school training and simulator training is so essential, so
Again prepare yourself so that it's not a huge surprise in case something really happens
so the answer is yes, we do get nervous about certain things but
Preparation and good training is key to stay calm in a stressful situation. I hope you enjoyed this little video
Please be so kind to subscribe my channel for further upcoming videos and check out my instagram account for beautiful aviation pictures
All the best be safe have a great day farewell your captain Joe
A Great example for a calm pilot is Captain Sullenberger and his copilot Jeff Skiles
Sure sully was nerves in that situation and his heart was beating at a higher rate than usual
But he fully relied on his gained flight experience in the past
Simulated training and flying skills which sharpened his focus and kept him calm in that very stressful situation
Just listen to his voice on the ATC communications. It is absolutely remarkable
How calm he reacted.
Cactus 1549 turn left heading 270
Cactus 1539 hit birds, lost thrust on both engines, returning back towards LaGuardia
Okay you need to return to LaGuardia, turn left heading 220
220
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