Thanks for the thread Bob. Interesting discussion.

Agreed.

I'm a little surprised, though, that throughout the entire discussion
there has been no mention of the FAA's efforts in Aero Decision Making,
particularly those addressing "hazardous thoughts". Maybe I missed it.

While a broad systematic description of problem solving can at times
insult our intelligence, AC 60-22 is nonetheless filled with great and
*actionable* insights. Without question, the approaches described in ADM
have improved my own safety -- both in the air and on the ground. Maybe
that's more a commentary on my own lifestyle? :-)

Ac 60-22 can be found online at

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/

Perhaps coincidentally, I'm in the middle of reading Tom Knauff's
"Accident Prevention Manual for Glider Pilots" as well his APM for
Flight Instructors. It's largely an exposition of ADM, esp. hazardous
attitudes, but in a much more consumable form.

The more angles from which you look at this problem, probably the
better. ADM, however, is well thought out and is largely at a
theoretical level, meaning it covers all the space one might try to
cover with anecdotes... and then all the spaces in between the
anecdotes. If you haven't read it, yet, you should. If it has been a
while, it's well worth a solid review.