A common problem new pilots struggle with is avoiding a PIO or pilot-induced oscillation. So how do we Stop the Cycle as We’re all familiar with the concept of overcorrecting in a car. A deer runs out, you’re driving tired, you’re near the edge of the road, and you yank the wheel the other direction just to end up in the opposite ditch.
In an aircraft, we have control and performance instruments. The PIO comes into play when the pilot chases the output they want on the performance instrument (altitude, airspeed, heading) by making erratic and too large corrections on the controls instruments (rpm, fuel flow, attitude).
For example, I’m 100′ above my target altitude, so I push the nose of the aircraft down to descend. However, the correction I put in was too large or left in for too long, and now I pass my target altitude and find myself below it and needing to climb back up. As a new pilot, this can be a very frustrating struggle and makes you feel like you’re always a step behind. That’s because you are. You are chasing a result rather than making a small change, being patient, and assessing.
One of the most challenging places to avoid a PIO is when you’re flying formation. Now you aren’t just chasing an airspeed and altitude target, but an exact position relative to another aircraft that is also constantly moving in three dimensions. When I was new to the Thunderbirds, I had already been flying the F-16 for eight years. However, the type of flying you do on the team is much different from anywhere else in the Air Force. I found myself in PIOs regularly during those first few months of training.
Our natural reaction in this situation is to let the stress build and to try even harder to fix the problem. I would find my arm going numb because I was gripping the stick so hard, even though in the F-16, it only moves ¼”. Trying to fly precisely while you’re sweating bullets, irritated with your lack of proficiency, and with a numb hand that feels like it doesn’t belong to you is challenging to say the least. The harder I would try to control the aircraft, the more my arm would turn into a cement block and the more frustrated I would become.
In your business, it is easy to also find yourself in a PIO, letting one negative experience cause you to sabotage future interactions and pull your organization from one extreme to the other. For example, you get feedback that a customer is unhappy. You change company policy as a result, only to find a few months later, that there are second and third-order negative effects you didn’t anticipate. You had a bad experience with an employee that had a few very apparent personality traits. In response, you only hire people opposite of this bad actor. A year later, you find your team suffering from groupthink and lacking diversity.
So how do we prevent finding ourselves fighting a PIO?
See something that needs correcting? First, stop it from trending in the wrong direction. Maybe that is enough. Sometimes you only need to remove an input without adding one to counteract it. Need more? Make a slight adjustment then be patient. Pause… see what it gives you, what change in performance you gradually get, then adjust further if needed. Over time you develop rules of thumb, so you know exactly how much input you need and when you need to take the adjustments out to land right on the performance you’re targeting, but this will take patience and practice.
Finally, I want to share something I was told when I first learned to air refuel. Getting airborne gas is just another form of flying formation, but your aircraft is touching the other plane this time. To hook up to the refueling boom and stay there, you must make exact adjustments in your position. This is another challenging skill and one that commonly results in over corrections and the dreaded PIO. The advice I had been given when learning to do this for the first time?
Don’t forget to wiggle your toes.
This simple shift of focus allows you to breathe, relax your arm, and loosen your grip. Suddenly, the PIO stops, and you can maintain your position. Sometimes you have to accept what is in your control and what isn’t, wiggle your toes, and relax your grip.
Article originally posted to LinkedIn by Michelle “Mace” Curran. I deliver stories and lessons that you can use from my time as a Fighter Pilot and Thunderbird.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and view WeSpeak Global
No results available
Captains Log 13th -17th June 29 05’474 N 128 01’447W Pacific Ocean Milestones-The waterline/ Hatches & rouge waves/MOB take 2 -Injuries /Slow is pro / It’s all shifting / Maslow’s hierarchy of Needs / Story of the clever turd! / Shifting spaces / Into the light.. Breakthrough/ Flicker on! / Shifting goalposts/ Threading the needle/ […]
In other words, workers burned out by the “hustle culture” so recently prevalent have decided to either quit their jobs — or perhaps even more damaging to businesses — disengage themselves from where they are working. In a brilliant article in a recent edition of the Wall St. Journal, Lindsay Ellis and Angela Yang reveal that what we’ve been […]
Unlocking Success: The Power of Booking Top Keynote Conference Speakers in San Francisco Introduction: Conferences play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development. Choosing the right keynote speakers can significantly impact the success of an event. In the vibrant city of San Francisco, California, renowned for its innovation and diverse industries, […]
In the bustling world of sales, where targets and quotas often overshadow human connection, Elyse Archer stands out as a beacon of Transforming Sales through Authenticity. Based in Charlotte, NC, Elyse is not just a sales speaker; she is a transformative force who is reshaping how sales professionals approach their craft. With a compelling blend […]
In the ever-evolving landscape of LGBTQ Keynote Speakers 2024, public speaking, keynote addresses serve as powerful platforms for individuals to share their stories, insights, and expertise. Over the years, the LGBTQ community has seen a rise in representation within this realm, with speakers transcending barriers and advocating for inclusivity, diversity, and acceptance. As we delve […]
Michelle “Mace” Curran: From Fighter Pilot to Fearless Keynote Speaker Soaring Beyond Limits In the heart of Las Vegas, where boldness meets brilliance, one keynote speaker is redefining the art of motivation and leadership. Michelle Mace Curran is not just an accomplished pilot; she’s a powerhouse of purpose, a woman who has shattered ceilings—literally and […]
Authentic Leadership Building Trust, Connection and Productivity in Corporate Culture Authentic leadership is more than a buzzword; it’s a powerful approach to building trust, enhancing communication, and fostering a culture where people feel safe, valued, and genuinely engaged. At its core, authentic leadership is about leading with integrity, self-awareness, and transparency. It doesn’t mean being […]
Connection is even more crucial now in the ‘time of COVID’! This guide is for leaders or parents or any human! Humans not only die when they feel lonely, isolated, alone or that they don’t belong, but those conditions are the source of almost every mental health problem we experience. It is imperative we stay connected – […]
No results available
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2026. Designed using Voxel