Spend a few days in a Part 91 flight department, and you might hear some version of the “us vs. them” banter from pilots or mechanics:
“Funny how everything happens to break on the last leg of the trip.”
“Pilots never give us the real story.”
Or, “We keep writing up the same issues, and all we ever see in the logbook is ‘could not duplicate.’ What does the maintenance group DO every night?”
As surely as thrust opposes drag and lift opposes weight, pilots and mechanics often see the world from opposing points of view.
We can be suspicious of each other’s motives and hesitant to trust. Even though we share a common mission to provide safe, airworthy transportation, interactions between the groups may be strained or disingenuous.
Commonly referred to as “silos” within the flight department, the pilot and maintenance groups create isolated subcultures. Each has its own origin story and may see its peers as the opposition.
Us vs. Them
Human nature compels us to highlight our strengths while magnifying others’ flaws. Whether you fly or turn wrenches, it’s easy to believe your group holds the moral high ground while questioning the ethics or professionalism of the other.
We often gain status within our group by catching the other side in a mistake.
To an outsider, a flight department might seem unified. But listen closely in the hangar or flight planning room, and you’ll sometimes hear the subtle signs of an “us vs. them” mindset.
Unfortunately, this cultural divide feels almost foundational to aviation.
In today’s Part 91 flight departments, that breakdown in trust and communication introduces unacceptable risk to safe operations.
The good news?
Forward-thinking leaders who practice empathy and build trust can break the cycle and foster a safer, more collaborative culture.
And here at API, we know of several organizations that have overcome this “us vs. them” mentality.
Breaking the Cycle
Early in my maintenance career, I fell into the trap of thinking pilots “are not like us.” It was easy to make that assumption—until positive mentors, peers and supervisors encouraged me to question it.
Over time, talented pilots became friends, helping me shape a healthier, more inclusive worldview.
Today this might sound controversial, but diversity of thought is something we should celebrate and protect. After all, the qualities that draw someone to the flight deck are often the same ones that save the day in an emergency.
Likewise, the mechanical skill and attention to detail found in the maintenance department ensure that pilots can bet their lives on the plane’s airworthiness.
The challenge becomes: How can we foster respect and cohesion where it may not come naturally
Surprisingly, the FAA’s Federal Aviation Regulations can help us build strong, more effective partnerships.
Creating a Safer, More Collaborative Culture
Communication is the cornerstone of safety, and our mindset at the outset sets the tone for the entire conversation.
Approach each interaction with respect for the distinct responsibilities assigned to each group by the FAA. Whether it’s a tense AOG situation or a routine pre-flight scenario, deferring to one another’s authority fosters a culture of collaboration.
The Administrator gives us clear guidance on how to do this:
- 14 CFR 3.5 – Defines airworthiness as a two-part standard: an aircraft must conform to its type design and be in a condition safe for flight. Every pilot and technician should keep this definition top of mind before releasing an aircraft.
- 14 CFR 91.7 – States that no person may operate an aircraft unless it meets both parts of the airworthiness definition. This affirms our collective purpose. The flight department exists to track, evaluate and maintain the airworthiness of each aircraft.
- 14 CFR 91.3 – Places ultimate responsibility for the aircraft’s operation on the Pilot in Command. For maintenance teams, remembering this on every shift helps clarify the go/no-go decision-making process. Our job is to provide the technical data and context the crew needs to make the safest, most informed call.
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate
While the history between pilots and mechanics has often been turbulent, the stakes are too high to let that define our present. Or our future!
A few words of advice:
- Technicians: Humbly defer to the pilot’s expertise in recording and interpreting flight deck events. Respectfully solicit their descriptions of the “feel” of the aircraft. Their insights provide essential context for troubleshooting.
- Pilots: Honor the knowledge and experience of the maintenance team before exercising your final authority on airworthiness. Maintainers are charged with ensuring the aircraft is in a condition safe for flight. There’s no better source for evaluating overall conformance to type design. A PIC cannot make a safe, contextually complete operational decision without considering the maintenance perspective.
Together, we have the power to rewrite the old “us vs. them” narrative. In today’s flight department, “us” means a unified team. “Them” are the ghosts of the past, and it’s time to leave that outdated mindset behind.