What happens when you know the material cold, but freeze during a flight test?

Mental performance consultant Zoran Stojković returns for Part 2 of PERFORMANCE & SAFETY: BUILT FOR PRESSURE, where we explore practical tools for RCAF pilot training; from pre-flight routines and chair flying to performance cues, breathing and recovering after a cockpit mistake.

Drawing on Zoran’s work with student pilots, pro athletes, and Bryan’s flying experience, they discuss recognizing when you’re falling behind the aircraft, practicing resets before you need them, and helping students recover after a difficult flight.

Chapters

(00:00:00) Welcome and introduction
(00:01:08) Why students freeze during a test
(00:07:00) Preparing an Olympian versus preparing a pilot
(00:08:36) Can you perform well while feeling nervous?
(00:15:26) Tomorrow’s checkride: when to stop studying
(00:18:48) Building a useful pre-flight mental routine
(00:22:46) Making visualization and chair flying effective
(00:29:04) Adapting when the schedule or mission changes
(00:32:43) Performance cues and constructive self-talk
(00:41:55) Closing the gap between practice and cockpit performance
(00:44:13) Breathing as a performance tool while flying
(00:51:50) The OODA loop and helmet fires
(00:54:33) Recognizing when you’re falling behind the aircraft
(00:59:49) Resetting after a mistake in the cockpit
(01:03:14) Helping a student recover after a difficult flight
(01:06:13) Thanks and a look ahead to Part 3

Explore the Logbook

Continue from Part 1: PERFORMANCE & SAFETY: BUILT FOR PRESSURE Part 1: From Elite Sport to RCAF Pilot Training – Zoran Stojković.

Explore Zoran’s work: His Built for Pressure podcast and Kizo Performance resources are discussed throughout this episode.

Ask about the visualization resource: Zoran invites listeners to contact him through Kizo Performance on Instagram about resources, including the visualization template discussed in the interview.

Have a question, a guest suggestion or an idea for a future episode? Contact thepilotprojectpodcast@gmail.com or find us on social media @podpilotproject.

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Keep the blue side up!