The results of a small scientific study performed in China indicate that pilots' brains are different than the brains of people who don't fly. The researchers concluded that the brains of pilots are wired differently to deal with the unique environment of the cockpit.
Perhaps because the profession demands such a high degree of rigid, left-brain thinking, we escape to the right-brain when away from the cockpit.
Both males and females in aviation are equally susceptible to mental health issues. There is a negative stigma around mental health in aviation. A study showed that pilots assumed fellow pilots who were unsociable most likely have a mental health illness.
A typical pilot, according to the study, is one who is “low in anxiety, vulnerability, angry hostility, impulsiveness, and depression. This person also tends be very conscientious; being high in deliberation, achievement-striving, competence, and dutifulness. He also tends to be trusting and straightforward.
1) Aircraft Systems
One of the toughest topics for private pilot students is aircraft systems. Want to know more about the systems and equipment in your aircraft? Dig into your POH and read section 7. Better yet, find a local A&P at your airport and have them walk you through a few systems with the cowling off.
An airline pilot can be an extremely stressful job due to the workload, responsibilities and safety of the thousands of passengers they transport around the world. Chronic levels of stress can negatively impact one's health, job performance and cognitive functioning.
Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination. Sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects all exhibit spatial intelligence.
Pilots have to always keep a cool head despite knowing that making the wrong decision can result in a fatal outcome. They not only have to consistently make the right decision, but also have to make their mind up quickly. Most of the time there is not one single right decision.
An IQ between 120 and 140 is considered as “very superior intelligence” which definitely fits with the intelligence level that you would expect a pilot to have.
They are Highly Experienced
Well, first of all, they are highly trained professionals. They have years of experience and know exactly what to do in any given situation. This experience helps them to remain calm under pressure.
Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots. Unfortunately, pilots sometimes fail to disclose ADHD to their Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
Children who have stronger left-brain functions tend to be more analytical in their thinking and typically perform well academically. They may have a great ability to memorize large amounts of data, have a large vocabulary, and are detail-oriented.
While lefties make up 10% of the population, up to 40% of pilots are left-handed. Airbus captains operate the left joystick, leaving their right hand free to dope-slap the lowly co-pilot. 1 in 4 Apollo astronauts were southpaws, 250% more than expected.
The basic "pilot personality profile" is of an emotionally stable individual who is low in anxiety, vulnerability, angry hostility, impulsiveness, and depression. This person also tends be very conscientious; being high in deliberation, achievement-striving, competence, and dutifulness.
The longtime stereotype of airline pilots is that they are male, fearless, perfectly fit, good at math, trained in the military, blessed with perfect vision, all paid like super senior 747 captains (regardless of what they really fly) and only at work three days every other month.
Dating a pilot can mean interesting conversations
Pilots travel to many destinations, and so they're always bringing you things from exotic places. But, they also get an opportunity to engage with many cultures and meet diverse people. With such an exciting life, they have unique experiences to share.
According to ALPA, “ Pilots are concrete, practical, linear thinkers rather than abstract, philosophical, or theoretical. On a scale that ranges from analytically oriented to emotionally oriented, pilots tend to be toward the analytical end.
Previous behavioral studies have shown that pilots are superior in performing complex physical and mental operations such as motor abilities, attention distribution, spatial orientation, and mental rotation [1] [2][3].
Captain or pilot-in-command is the highest rank a pilot can earn. A captain has over 3,000 flight hours and is responsible for the entire aircraft and all occupants aboard. What is the difference between a pilot and a captain?
In this interval, the pilot data show an 18.6 percent deviation from the general rate. From these data, we can con- clude that the average age at death of pilots is about 61. The average age at death of the gen- eral male population in the 50-74 age group is approximately 63.
Or do they age more quickly, since they're subject to less gravity? Scientists have done the math, and it turns out that frequent fliers actually age the tiniest bit more quickly than people with both feet on the ground. But not to worry, the difference is so small, you don't have to worry about extra wrinkles.
One of the major benefits of being a pilot is you can expect a hugely rewarding career; from taking your first solo flight, completing your first landing, flying to a new destination to overcoming challenges, every day is rewarding as a pilot in the cockpit.