July 03, 2025

Mental Skills Every Pilot Needs | Tammy Barlette

13 minutes

In this compelling episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead sits down with former A-10 and MQ-9 Reaper pilot Tammy Barlette, now the founder of Crosscheck Mental Performance Training. Tammy shares profound insights on how cultivating mental strength and building performance mindset techniques can transform flight safety, confidence, and decision-making — not only in high-stakes emergencies but throughout day-to-day aviation operations.

Broadcasting live from Verticon, Tammy and John explore how pilots can prepare not just their technical skills but their thoughts, emotions, and responses under stress. Tammy reveals how mindset training, when integrated into routine operations and flight debriefs, becomes a powerful tool for safety, resilience, and continuous improvement.

Episode Highlights:

Why mental preparation is as vital as technical training for aviators

The impact of perfectionism and how to overcome it

Creating a healthy debrief culture that fosters growth

The power of micro-habits in building confidence and reducing anxiety

A practical, step-by-step mental framework Tammy teaches over four weeks

Real stories from student pilots and instructors who transformed their mindset

Key Points with Timestamps:

[00:00:03] Tammy opens with the importance of preparing mentally for challenges before they arise

[00:01:15] Tammy is welcomed back at Verticon and introduces Crosscheck Mental Performance Training

[00:02:22] Mental performance as the foundation of training, especially when automation fails

[00:03:04] Tammy’s journey from instructor to mindset coach: “Get their mind out of the way”

[00:03:51] Why being mentally present is crucial in the cockpit — not stuck in past mistakes or future worries

[00:04:43] How mental distractions during normal flight operations impact safety and performance

[00:05:39] Military-style debriefing as a cultural model for growth, not blame

[00:06:43] The “how” of mental training: building awareness of internal dialogue and thought patterns

[00:07:38] Overview of Tammy’s 4-week course structure: mindset, confidence, anxiety, perfectionism, journaling, refocusing tools

[00:08:46] How to reframe failure: defining vs informing — The Tale of Two Tail Strikes

[00:10:24] Tools for debriefing: “Two up, two down, one question” technique

[00:12:30] Who Tammy works with: individual pilots of all levels, with a CFI-specific course in the works

Guest Bio: Tammy Barlette

Tammy Barlette is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former fighter pilot with over 20 years of aviation experience, including flying the A-10 Warthog and MQ-9 Reaper. She is the founder of Crosscheck Mental Performance Training, a company dedicated to enhancing mental resilience and performance among aviators and professionals in high-pressure roles.

Tammy specializes in helping individuals reframe failure, reduce anxiety, and overcome perfectionism through practical, daily mindset tools. Her programs combine proven mental performance techniques with the rigor of aviation discipline, making her a sought-after speaker and trainer in both aviation and personal development spaces.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammybarlette/

Notable Quotes:

“You can prepare how you want to think, feel, and respond when challenges happen — and that will make a significant difference in your performance.”

“You can’t just pull over on a cloud. You have to be ready, and mental training is a huge part of that.”

“If you don’t debrief all the time, and only do it when something goes wrong, it starts to feel like criticism instead of learning.”

“Is this failure going to define you or inform you? That’s the key.”

“There’s no perfect flight. The only difference between you and me is how many mistakes you make and how big they are.”

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By John Ramstead