Reaction Time of Pilots
Pilots have an average reaction time of 210 milliseconds (180–245 ms). Commercial and military pilots. Their training focuses on instrument scan and decision RT more than raw reflex speed.
What the data shows
Commercial and military pilots. Their training focuses on instrument scan and decision RT more than raw reflex speed.
US Air Force pilot selection data shows median simple visual RT of 210 ms for accepted candidates, with choice RT (deciding between multiple responses) being where pilots really separate from the general population.
Why pilots sit at 210 ms
Pilots spend years training to translate ambiguous instrument readings into physical control inputs. The result is fast, accurate decision RT — but on simple visual RT they're only marginally faster than average.
What this means for you
If your own reaction time is close to 210 ms, you are sitting in the same neighbourhood as the typical pilots on this site. That is interesting context, not a verdict. Group averages reflect population-level tendencies — individual variation within any group is much larger than the differences between groups.
The honest way to use this number is as a benchmark. If you want to move toward the pilots average, the activities that group practises (action gaming for gamers, instrument practice for musicians, karting for drivers) are the most direct route. The gains are real but modest — typically 15–40 ms over weeks of training. For the full evidence-based guide, see our page on how to improve your reaction time.
Test yourself
See how you compare to the pilots average of 210 ms.