While aviation training emphasizes procedures, checklists, and technical proficiency, many performance breakdowns occur when pilots are under pressure rather than lacking knowledge. This presentation examines why mental performance skills such as confidence, focus, and stress management deserve deliberate training.
Drawing from operational and instructional experience, former United States Air Force combat pilot and instructor Tammy Barlette discusses how mental performance shows up in real-world flying, how it affects decision-making and execution, and how instructors and pilots can intentionally train these skills to improve consistency and safety.
Tammy Barlette is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and fighter pilot with over 20 years of military aviation experience. She concluded her career in 2018 after flying the T-37 Tweet, A-10 Warthog, T-38 Talon, MQ-1 Predator, and MQ-9 Reaper, serving as both a combat pilot and an instructor pilot. She accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours and is a graduate of the prestigious U.S. Air Force Weapons School.
Dabney grew up in an aviation family. His maternal grandfather Joe was a World War II fighter pilot, and much of his childhood was spent in the family J-3 Cub with his grandfather or his uncle Mark. Aaron completed his first solo in that Cub in 1999 and is now its caretaker.
Following her retirement from military aviation, Tammy devoted herself to the study of mental performance training, translating principles used by elite athletes into practical, repeatable tools for pilots. She is the founder and CEO of Crosscheck Mental Performance, where she teaches a popular online course that helps aviators build confidence, improve focus, and perform effectively under pressure.
With over a decade of experience instructing in U.S. Air Force pilot training and more than seven years studying and teaching mental performance, Tammy brings a unique and powerful perspective to general aviation. Today, she is dedicated to equipping pilots with the mental skills they need to thrive both in the cockpit and beyond.
Karen Kalishek is a Designated Pilot Examiner, four-time NAFI Master Instructor, and an FAA Gold Seal Instructor with CFI, CFII, MEI, CFI-G, AGI, IGI credentials. She holds an ATP certificate with ASES and Glider Commercial privileges. In 2019, she was named National FAASTeam Representative of the Year.
Karen is actively involved in multiple aviation organizations and serves as a Major in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), acting as a flight instructor, check pilot, examiner, mission pilot, and cadet orientation pilot. She has a passion for antique aircraft and enjoys flying her RV-6. Before becoming a full-time instructor, Karen had a career in banking and international consulting, providing services in 37 countries.
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