Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Situational awareness is often described as “knowing what’s going on” — but in aviation, it’s much more than that. It’s the ability to perceive, understand, and anticipate what’s happening around you.

What Breaks Situational Awareness

• Task overload
• Distractions
• Fatigue
• Overconfidence
• Fixation on one problem

Signs You’re Losing the Big Picture

• Missed radio calls
• Poor altitude or heading control
• Tunnel vision
• Feeling rushed or behind

How to Strengthen It

• Verbalize what’s happening
• Stay ahead of the aircraft
• Pause and reassess when things feel off
• Reduce unnecessary workload

Final Thoughts
Situational awareness isn’t a talent — it’s a skill. And like any skill, it improves with practice, humility, and