Flying in the Face of Fear

Chapter 8AVIATE, NAVIGATE, COMMUNICATE

“Action expresses priorities.”

—Mahatma Gandhi

Figure 8.1 Preparing to launch on a combat mission. Over the course of my career, I flew 121 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan.

PRIORITIZING EFFECTIVELY

“Aviate, navigate, and communicate” is a simple phrase we learn early in pilot training that helps us get through a demanding situation. When we face an emergency, we learn to slow down and focus on what's most important first: maintaining control of the airplane. Then we navigate, gaining situational awareness of what is going on around us and figuring out where we need to go. From there, we communicate, letting others know about the problem and requesting assistance if required from our wingmen or other assets. This simple phrase helps pilots prioritize under pressure and maintain focus on the most important aspects first.

When my jet was hit over Baghdad, I didn't have time to open a checklist or to ask for help, I had to react immediately. Thankfully, my training kicks in and I am able to respond and act during this extremely stressful situation. I have to focus on what is most important first. This means getting my airplane under control. Even though I am task‐saturated with multiple problems, my primary task is to keep the jet flying. I can't just stop flying the airplane while I figure out what to do.

Next, I need situational ...