Read here the full transcript of Captain Reyné O’Shaughnessy’s talk titled “How To Fly Safer” at TEDxYoungstown 2024 conference.
Listen to the audio version here:
TRANSCRIPT:
A Love Affair with Aviation
47 years ago, I found myself a summer typist at a small regional airline, and it suddenly hit me: I wasn’t just typing, I was in love. Not with a colleague, but with aviation itself. Before I knew it, I traded my typewriter for a flight attendant’s uniform. I delighted in every passenger’s smile, every piece of luggage in that overhead compartment, and every mile flown above the clouds. Yet, I sensed that I was meant for more.
Fast forward six years, I walked onto a Boeing 747, and I took my seat as the pilot behind the control panel. It was a pinch-me moment, and it reinforced my love affair with the skies. At first, it was a dream job. As years went on, sure, there was irregular sleep, but I was young and invincible. Eating on the go? Well, that’s what fast food’s for. Exercising? I walked to and from my gates. Relaxation? I watched hotel movies when I couldn’t sleep. That checked the box.
A Wake-Up Call
In 2015, I headed into a personal medical exam, and my doctor said, “Reyné, you have catastrophically high blood pressure. You’re in imminent danger of a stroke.” If that wasn’t bad enough, I instantly remembered my regulatory medical exam that is required for all pilots to fly and work. Mine was due next month.
But here’s the catch: if I self-reported the findings of my medical doctor to my aviation medical examiner, I would be grounded for an unknown amount of time. In other words, I would lose my income. I was scared. I was alone. And I was caught in a dilemma: take care of my health or take care of my job.
No one should have to make this choice.
That’s crazy. Taking care of ourselves is a basic human right. And I admit, I hadn’t been. This turned into a wake-up call. It was time for me to prioritize my own health and mental well-being.
My story is not unique. Unfortunately, I am far from alone in this experience. As pilots, we are meticulously trained in aircraft systems, navigation, and emergency procedures. However, critical non-technical skills such as stress management, emotional resilience, and health-managing strategies are often overlooked or soft-pedaled in training. Aviators around the world are struggling in silence with challenges related to their own physical and mental health. It is imperative that we address this issue now.
The omission of these vital aspects in aviation is not just an oversight. It is a perilous gap that needs immediate attention. What is missing in aviation safety is dangerous.
The Paradox of Pilot Health
I am one of 110,000 pilots in the U.S. operating in a complex aerospace system. This system requires us to meet strict medical standards in order to fly or work. Now here’s the paradox: if we self-report any new medical information or seek treatment, it forces us to weigh the potential aspect of being grounded against the need for care. And not all of us seek care.
Do you remember the recent news where a non-duty pilot attempted to shut down the engines in flight? He hadn’t slept for 40 hours. As a society, we often take for granted how these non-technical skills, or the missing of these non-technical skills, impact our lives.
Why It Matters
So why does it matter? And why should you care? All of our lives are important. Whether your seat is in the cockpit or on a couch, aviation safety impacts us all because, as a global society, we travel in airplanes.
The U.S. Air Force has funded research on aviation healthcare avoidance, seeking to understand why pilots avoid medical care. The findings in this study of more than 3,700 pilots, published in 2022, are staggering:
56% of pilots wrestle with healthcare avoidance in fear of losing their aeromedical certificate.
46% sought informal medical care.
27% either misrepresented or withheld information on their medical questionnaire in fear of losing their aeromedical certificate.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu wisely noted, “There comes a time that we have to stop pulling people out of the river. We have to go upstream and figure out why they are falling in.” There is good news. Amidst these challenges, dilemmas, and paradoxes lies a golden opportunity for change and innovation for today and tomorrow’s aerospace system.
And that is exactly what I have been working on. There are eight core competencies in aviation that pilots need to abide by. However, there is a critical focus area that we are missing. Today, I’m going upstream and introducing to you what I call the Ninth Core Competency.
It is a groundbreaking, innovative approach that puts the pilot and human performance at the center of safety. The Ninth Core Competency is unique because it focuses on educating and equipping pilots with non-technical skills that impact and influence their performance on and off the airplane. In other words, pilots need to be trained on human performance just as much as we are trained in technical skills.
Key Aspects of the Ninth Core Competency
Quality Sleep: Essential for pilots, it impacts mental acuity, decision-making, and reaction time. Inadequate sleep disrupts circadian rhythms and hormonal balance, which has been linked to anxiety and a decrease in cognitive function. I know this firsthand. Ensuring quality sleep is a vital investment in a pilot’s health and safety.
Nutrition: Pilots often struggle with finding hot, wholesome food when they’re on the go, which impacts their strength and endurance, as it did mine. Poor nutrition can also impact the demands of flying, compromising safety and performance. It’s important for pilots to seek healthier options for their overall well-being.
Stress Management: Crucial for pilots, as chronic stress increases tension, fatigue, and burnout. I was there too. Stress also affects a pilot’s physical health and the ability to stay focused during critical times. Prioritizing relaxation techniques and stress reduction is essential for overall safety.
We have a golden opportunity to revolutionize aviation safety right here and right now by integrating the Ninth Core Competency into training and elevating the non-technical skills to the same level of importance as technical skills. We can provide support to our pilots in high-performance roles.
Getting the Ninth Core Competency universally accepted is going to take some effort, and here’s where you come in. What’s next is on us. What’s missing in aviation safety is dangerous, and the Ninth Core Competency makes us safer.
Whether you’re in an aviation leadership role, a frequent flyer, or you just want your FedEx package delivered on time, we all have a stake in upholding safety.
Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Join me in keeping this conversation alive because safety is everyone’s responsibility. It is no longer acceptable to train pilots in technical skills only. Aviation must train the whole pilot by raising human performance through the Ninth Core Competency.
And when this happens, it’s not just about safer flights and more secure pilots. It’s about making our skies the safest they’ve ever been and getting you home without worry. We need that. Our industry craves it, and our flying public deserves it.
And then, and only then, can we fall in love with aviation again.
