What is one common cognitive bias that affects pilot decision-making?

One common cognitive bias that affects pilot decision-making is confirmation bias. This bias leads individuals to seek out, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses. For pilots, this can manifest as a tendency to focus on data or observations that support their intended course of action while disregarding information that might suggest the need for a different approach or emphasize potential risks.

For instance, if a pilot believes that a particular weather condition is manageable, they might overlook significant warnings or data that indicate adverse conditions, leading to suboptimal decision-making. This inclination can adversely impact situational awareness and lead to unsafe flight scenarios. By recognizing confirmation bias, pilots can actively attempt to counteract this tendency, ensuring they evaluate all evidence and perspectives in their decision-making processes.