FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2 and FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 10

The five hazardous attitudes and the antidote for each

The FAA names five attitudes that wreck pilot judgment, and gives each a short phrase to reverse it. The test asks you to match them.

Part 107, explained › Operations · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.

What are the five hazardous attitudes and their antidotes?

Anti-authority (antidote: follow the rules, they are usually right), impulsivity (not so fast, think first), invulnerability (it could happen to me), macho (taking chances is foolish) and resignation (I am not helpless, I can make a difference). The first step is recognizing the hazardous thought, then labeling it and stating its antidote.

In the FAA figure, each attitude has a typical thought. Anti-authority is "Don't tell me," impulsivity is "Do it quickly," invulnerability is "It won't happen to me," macho is "I can do it," and resignation is "What's the use?" (FAA-H-8083-25C, Figure 2-4). Impulsive people do not stop to think, do not select the best alternative, and do the first thing that comes to mind. Macho pilots try to prove themselves by taking risks to impress others, and the handbook notes that women are equally susceptible.

The method is three steps: recognize the thought as hazardous, label it as hazardous, then state the corresponding antidote. The FAA says antidotes should be memorized for each attitude so they automatically come to mind when needed (FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2; FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 10). How these attitudes fit into the wider decision process is on our ADM page.

Sources: FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2, Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes (Figure 2-4) · FAA-G-8082-22, ch. 10, Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes

What the FAA says

FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2, Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes

Studies have identified five hazardous attitudes that can interfere with the ability to make sound decisions and exercise authority properly: anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, and resignation.

FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2, Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes

Recognition of hazardous thoughts is the first step toward neutralizing them. After recognizing a thought as hazardous, the pilot should label it as hazardous, then state the corresponding antidote.

FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2, Impulsivity

They do not stop to think about what they are about to do, they do not select the best alternative, and they do the first thing that comes to mind.

FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2, Macho

Pilots with this type of attitude will try to prove themselves by taking risks in order to impress others.

Sources: FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2, Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes · FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2, Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes · FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2, Impulsivity · FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2, Macho

Exam traps

  • Taking risks to impress others is the macho attitude, not impulsivity: impulsivity is doing the first thing that comes to mind.
  • Recognition of hazardous thoughts is the first step toward neutralizing them, before labeling and stating the antidote.
  • Invulnerability is the false belief that accidents happen to others but never to you; pilots who think this way are more likely to take chances and increase risk.
  • Hazardous attitudes contribute to poor pilot judgment but can be counteracted by redirecting the attitude so correct action can be taken.

Quick quiz: 3 questions

Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions. Each answer shows its FAA source.

Question 1 of 3

Hazardous attitudes occur to every pilot to some degree at some time. What are some of these hazardous attitudes?

  1. A Anti Authority, Impulsivity, Macho, Resignation, and Invulnerability.
  2. B Poor situational awareness, snap judgments, and lack of a decision making process.
  3. C Poor risk management and lack of stress management.
Show the answer
Answer: A. Anti Authority, Impulsivity, Macho, Resignation, and Invulnerability.

FAA source: FAA-H-8083-25C ch. 2, Aeronautical Decision-Making, Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes

Which hazardous attitude is "What's the use?"

Resignation. These pilots do not see themselves as able to make much difference in what happens to them, and the antidote is that they are not helpless and can make a difference.

Source: FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2, Figure 2-4

Is attitude part of being fit to fly?

Yes. The FAA says being fit to fly depends on more than physical condition and recent experience, because attitude affects the quality of decisions.

Source: FAA-H-8083-25C, ch. 2

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More on this topic: Part 107 operations and decision-making.