Sleep Is Your Superpower: Why Fatigue Can Be More Dangerous Than You Think

There’s a reason why pilots are taught to run through the I’M SAFE checklist before every flight. It’s not just a list! it’s a life-saving habit. It stands for:

• Illness

• Medication

• Stress

• Alcohol

• Fatigue

• Eating/Emotions

Today, let’s talk about one of the most underestimated hazards in aviation: Fatigue.

Lessons From the Army: The Turtle That Wasn’t There

When I was in the Army, I learned firsthand what extreme fatigue can do to the mind.

I was on the land navigation course at Cole Range, part of a brutal test given to aspiring Rangers. For two weeks straight, the Ranger cadre had systematically denied us rest and sleep. The mission was to find waypoints in the middle of the night using just a compass and map.

Simple on paper. Nearly impossible when your body is shutting down.

I was so tired that I began to hallucinate. I genuinely believed there was an evil turtle following me through the woods. At one point, I saw my instructor... only he looked two or three inches tall, standing near my rucksack and yelling at my buddy. When we formed up at the end of the night, soldiers were falling asleep on their feet. Their knees buckled as they nodded off mid-formation, jerking back awake before hitting the ground.

It was a wake-up call. One I’ll never forget.

Fatigue in the Cockpit Is a Silent Killer

Now, as a pilot and flight instructor, I carry that lesson with me into the cockpit.

This week, I had a night cross-country flight planned. The mission went well, but the next day, after reporting to my day job, I felt it. Mental fog, slower reaction times, and poor decision-making.

I had only missed a couple of hours of sleep.

But, that’s all it takes.

So, I did something about it. I scheduled recovery time and made sleep a priority. This morning, after giving myself real rest, I noticed an immediate change. I was sharper, more focused, and in a far better mood during preflight and coordination with my crew.

Fatigue doesn’t just affect your performance. It affects your judgment, your reaction time, and your safety.

How to Prioritize Sleep Like a Pro

Sleep isn’t a luxury. It’s a superpower.

If you want to stay sharp, avoid dumb mistakes, and bring your best to the air or the office, protect your rest. Here are some tools that can help:

(These are affiliate links, which support this blog at no additional cost to you—thank you!)

Manta Sleep Mask – 100% blackout design, perfect for travel or daytime naps.

Hatch Restore 2 – A gentle sunrise alarm and white noise machine in one.

Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker – A must-read that will change how you view sleep forever.

Leadership Starts With Self-Care

If you're trying to be a leader, whether it's at work, in the cockpit, or at home, you have to take care of yourself first.

That includes sleep.

If you found value in this post, keep an eye out for my upcoming book:

Flight Plan for Leadership

A practical guide to becoming the best version of yourself, using lessons from military life, aviation, and real-world leadership. Built for pilots, professionals, and anyone ready to lead with discipline, clarity, and purpose.