Thankyou for the replys so far - They have all been very helpful.
I agree that "Panic" is an emotive word, and probably should not be used when describing behaviour in this context.
My definition (taken from studies of military training methods dating from WWII) describes panic as a maladaptive form of the fight or flight response. Fight or flight, otherwise known as escape behaviour, is an instinctual response, hard wired into the most "primitive" parts of our brains. This response to a threat prepares us physiologically and mentally to run or fight. Pulse increases, blood is pumped to the limbs, functions such as digestion cease momentarily, and adrenalin circulates through the body. The problem is, this hard wired instinctual response tends to overide our higher thinking processes, which is fine if you're running away from a snake but not so good in a cockpit.
This is why training is so important - the procedures to deal with a problem become "hardwired" themselves and thus make up for any cognitive deficits that may occur.
But what about situations where there is little training, such as upset recovery? As mentioned in the above discussion the best thing to do is "sit on your hands" (obviously not for too long!) and work out what the aeroplane is doing. Once the pilot is over the initial "startle" they can take control of the aeroplane.
Panic situations can occur when a hasty, intinctual reaction to a startling situation is incorrect and thus plunges the pilot into deeper and deeper layers of confusion and rapidly increasing anxiety, making it harder to regain control.
Currently the leading cause of airline fatalities in the US are "loss of control" accidents. In response to this, the FAA is funding a program to train commercial pilots in upset recovery - in essense, training to "hardwire" pilot responses, making upsets less "startling" and therefore shortening the time before regaining control.
"The 'startle factor' may significantly delay a pilot in starting recovery from an upset" (
http://www.alpa.org/alpa/DesktopModu...ocumentID=1930)
Could the "startle factor" be a precurser for a possible panic situation? Maybe I should rename panic "The Extended Startle".
Any suggestions?
Regards
Trish