Training Beyond the Mistake: Rethinking Readiness in the Flight Deck

At the Women in Aviation Training (WiAT) session during this year’s World Aviation Training Summit (WATS 2025), Captain Erika Armstrong delivered a powerful and deeply insightful presentation: “Training Beyond the Mistake.”

In a session that resonated with both its technical depth and human relevance, Armstrong urged the aviation training community to move beyond traditional models of mistake prevention, and toward the more complex, often overlooked space of reaction and recovery. 

This session came at a pivotal time as WiAT continues to grow — with over 600 engaged members and more than 1,400 in its extended network — and amplifies its mission to challenge assumptions and redefine standards in aviation training, particularly as they apply to women on the flight deck.

When Mistakes Are Inevitable, What Happens Next?

The aviation industry is built on procedures, checklists, and safeguards — all designed to prevent errors. But as Armstrong pointed out, even the most experienced crew members are vulnerable to human factors, especially under stress.

“We can’t prepare you for every mistake,” Armstrong said, “but we can train you on your reaction.”

From startle reflexes to tunnel vision, she unpacked how our brains and bodies behave in the heat of a mistake — and how failure to understand these reactions can lead to compounding errors. Drawing from research on the Error-Related Negativity (ERN) and Error-Positivity (EP) response cycle, Armstrong demonstrated how mistakes can be identified and mitigated faster — but only if we are trained to do so.

Cognitive Overload and the Startle Effect

One of the most critical insights shared was how startle responses can disrupt otherwise well-trained decision-making processes. These reflexive, physiological reactions can reduce fine motor control, impair verbal communication, and trigger emotional responses such as panic or denial. Armstrong emphasized the importance of training pilots — especially those newer to the flight deck — to recognize and recover from these natural but destabilizing responses.

This is where traditional training falls short. Most simulations aim to avoid chaos. Armstrong’s solution? Embrace it.

“Chaos Training”: From Simulation to Survival

A cornerstone of Armstrong’s presentation was the idea of chaos training — the deliberate introduction of confusion, failure, and procedural deviation in a training environment. By removing checklists, simulating incorrect crew actions, or throwing in unexpected variables, pilots are forced to shift from rote memorization to critical thinking.

This approach simulates real-world decision-making where filtered or incomplete information is the norm, not the exception. “Fix the situation, not the mistake,” she urged — a mindset that encourages forward-thinking action rather than backward-focused blame.

Aptitude, Personality & Performance: The Human Profile of a Pilot

Armstrong also examined how pilot personality types (notably ESTJ tendencies) and cognitive traits influence in-flight reactions. With high spatial awareness, low neuroticism, and strong task focus, pilots are uniquely skilled — but those same traits can also create blind spots under pressure, especially when confronted with emotionally charged errors.

She highlighted how factors like multi-input thinking, ego, team dynamics, and even seat swapping between aircraft types contribute to missteps. Importantly, she made the case that judgment and adaptability often matter more than flight hours when it comes to managing the unexpected — especially in first-response scenarios.

Why This Conversation Matters for Women in Aviation

While her presentation was universal in scope, it carried additional resonance within the WiAT community. With only 5.5% of ATP-certified pilots in the U.S. being women, Armstrong’s message also raised an implicit question: Are women being trained in ways that reflect their realities, challenges, and strengths?

In high-stakes environments where confidence, assertiveness, and fast judgment are critical, women may face added psychological pressure — not just to perform, but to prove they belong. This makes the conversation around emotional response, team dynamics, and open recovery culture even more vital.

Final Takeaways: Building Resilience, Not Just Competence

Captain Armstrong closed with a series of powerful insights and practical tools:

• Practice visualization and scenario-based simulation to build mental flexibility
• Recognize emotional and physical cues of startle, stress, and ego
• Use “speculation drills” to sharpen decision-making in ambiguity
• Empower the whole crew to speak up and lead in the moment, regardless of role

“When you say your favourite swear word,” she joked, “you’ll now know you’re in a startle — and that’s your cue to act.”

Conclusion

This session served not only as a masterclass in human factors and pilot psychology, but also as a bold statement of WiAT’s mission: to ensure that training evolves alongside the people who are stepping into the cockpit — women included.

By reframing the narrative around mistakes and recovery, Captain Erika Armstrong gave attendees the tools — and the permission — to confront the unthinkable with clarity, compassion, and control.