Speaker on Pilot Performance, Stress & Human Factors
I’m Shannon Torres: a counselor with an M.Ed. in Counseling Education, a private pilot, and six years in Part 121 training operations. I bring practical tools on stress, human factors, and performance to flight schools, training departments, and aviation conferences.
Presented For
Counseling Expertise, Applied Inside Aviation Training
I speak from both sides of the problem: what pressure does to people, and how airline and flight school training actually runs.
Counselor and Training Professional
An M.Ed. in Counseling Education plus six years in Part 121 training operations, including Supervisor, Crew Training Planning at Spirit Airlines.
Training I Built and Delivered
My instructor rapport and feedback training has been taught to sim and line check airmen at Atlas Air through 1StepPrep’s AX3 Leadership training.
Coaching, Not Clinical
Coaching conversations are confidential and are not reported to the FAA, your employer, or your flight school.
Talks Built for Aviation Audiences
Each talk can be tailored to your audience and format.
Staying Sharp Under Pressure
- For
- Aviation professionals, pilots, instructors, training organizations
- Format
- Keynote or workshop
- Focus
- Maintaining performance and decision-making when pressure is high.
Human Factors & Performance Expectations During Practical Exams
- For
- DPEs, flight instructors, flight schools, aviation educators
- Format
- Presentation or workshop
- Focus
- Human factors, performance pressure, and the practical exam environment.
The Most Human Factor of All: The Pilot
- For
- Aviation organizations, leadership teams, conferences
- Format
- Keynote or presentation
- Focus
- Human performance, stress, mindset, and the person behind the pilot.
Building Rapport Fast: Connecting With Students Under Pressure
- For
- Flight instructors, sim instructors, line check airmen, training leaders
- Format
- Instructor workshop
- Focus
- How instructors build trust quickly and give feedback that lands when the pressure is high.
What Organizers and Audiences Say
"Aviation Conversations helps pilots navigate human-behavior challenges with a measurable impact on readiness and performance."
Robert RockmakerPresident, FSAI (Flight School Association International)"So many good takeaways — our students were engaged and taking notes throughout the entire presentation."
Scott TurnerDirector of Training, Angelo State UniversityRecent Engagements
Presentations, workshops, and webinars for flight schools, training programs, and aviation organizations.
United Aerial Firefighters Association National Conference
“Staying Sharp Under Pressure,” for aerial firefighting crews, chief pilots, and safety leadership. Boise, ID, October 27, 2026.
UAFA Member Webinar
A mental health webinar for United Aerial Firefighters Association members, co-delivered with the Pilot Mental Health Campaign.
FSANA DPE Symposium
Presented “Human Factors & Performance Expectations During Practical Exams” alongside Designated Pilot Examiners.
Human Factors Symposium: Part 121 Carriers
Delivered “The Most Human Factor of All: The Pilot,” addressing mental health in training and professional aviation.
1StepPrep: AX3 Leadership Training
Taught instructors how to quickly connect with and build confidence in their students.
FSAI Annual Conference
Presented on stress management and mental health in aviation, supporting students and instructors with the mental load of training.
Triad Aviation Academy
With the Pilot Mental Health Campaign, brought stress-management and mental-wellness training to instructors and students.
Wings of Legacy Workshop
A live virtual workshop for student pilots and aspiring aviators on how stress, confidence, and mindset shape flight performance.
On Air
Podcast conversations on stress, human factors, and pilot mental health.
Part-Time Pilot Podcast
How stress management can improve performance during flight training, and why mindset work matters as much as maneuvers for checkride success.
Watch →
The Way I Taught It Podcast
With DPE Pete Redden, on how instructors create psychologically safe learning environments and model healthy communication and self-regulation.
Listen →
Positive Rate Aviation: Clear Skies & Mental Clouds
My start in aviation, stress-management techniques, and Pilot Mental Health Campaign advocacy on Capitol Hill.
Watch →Also: Medical Committee member, Pilot Mental Health Campaign; exhibitor at the Women in Aviation International Conference; featured in FSAI Flight Training News.
Bring This Conversation to Your Audience
Tell me about your event, audience, and goals, and I’ll follow up personally, usually within 1-2 business days.
Press or podcast question? Email Shannon