Ethics in the Aviation Profession

Merriam-Webster defines "Ethics" in many ways but if applied to the aviation career field I feel that the third definition "The discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation" applies the best. However, my personal definition of ethics is a combination of "Do what is the right thing every time not just the easy way or the popular way" and " Don't make good decisions for bad people"

 In order to have a common vision of what is good vs bad, you have defined principles and values. Most companies will have a set of principles that they based on what the company values. These principles are what guide good vs bad decision-making which brings us back to ethics. Outside of business ethics are individual ethics and as an aviator, you are making decisions rapidly and frequently, and it's up to you to make the "good" decision every time.

 Your passengers have put full faith that you will act on your moral duty that will keep them safe, and your company has obligated you to command and take full responsibility for the safety of your passengers and crew.

An unethical pilot might make the decision to fly through a thunderstorm to make it to their next destination with the duty day leftover to continue back to their hometown, or to keep the arrival time. By making this decision they would be risking the aircraft as well as the lives of everyone on board.

Where an ethical pilot would accept the delay, deviate for weather, and arrive late safely even though the passengers are going to be upset with him, the airline is going to question why he delayed and burnt extra fuel, stay in a hotel instead of their bed, and moreover create more work for themself.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Ethic. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved July 6, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethic