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Aviation glossary

Impulsivity

What is impulsivity?

FAA handbook figure illustrating impulsivity

Impulsivity is one of the five hazardous attitudes the FAA identifies in pilots—the urge to "do it quickly." Pilots with this attitude feel they must act immediately, so they do the first thing that comes to mind without pausing to think it through or weigh the best alternative. The antidote is to tell yourself: "Not so fast. Think first." On the test: pair this hazardous attitude with its antidote, "Not so fast. Think first."

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