“Startle and surprise aren’t outliers—they are predictable disruptors in high-reliability flight operations. When they strike, they can shatter cognitive flow, override muscle memory, and derail even the best-trained responses.”
—Paul 'BJ' Ransbury, CEO, APS
Train Beyond the Expected: How UPRT Helps in Managing Startle and Surprise
Startle and surprise aren’t rare anomalies. They’re predictable disruptors in high-reliability flight operations. Yet most pilots will go their entire careers without ever receiving meaningful training to manage them.
When these cognitive shocks strike, they can interrupt motor function, override learned procedures, and derail decision-making—often within seconds. Human factors contribute to many Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I) accidents, even among highly experienced pilots.
This short video highlights what the research confirms and the evidence reinforces: effective Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) must go beyond technical maneuvering to address the psychological dimension of real-world upsets.
“Let’s train pilots to think when instinct wants to freeze. Let’s prepare for the moment we hope never comes, but might.”
Drawing from accident investigations, academic studies, and UPRT best practices, the video illustrates why cognitive disruption should be treated as a core risk factor, and how properly structured UPRT, particularly when built on the EPIC-S2 framework, offers a path to real resilience.
Further Reading:
- Pilot Resilience: Stretching Beyond the Breaking Point: Pilot resilience is compromised by factors like fatigue, startle, inadequate training, and overreliance on automation. UPRT strengthens resilience by developing both technical competence and psychological readiness through scenario-based, hands-on training.
- Required Intensity for Upset Training: Effective UPRT requires multiple flights over several days to build reliable recovery skills. This article explains the limitations of simulators in replicating real-world stressors and highlights the need for on-aircraft intensity and repetition to ensure lasting pilot proficiency.
