UFO! Or Just Good Situational Awareness?
07 Jan 2026
Sometimes what looks like a UFO is simply a signal — if you know how to read it.
“Have you ever seen a UFO?”
It’s a question I’m asked surprisingly often. And when people see this image, they usually ask the same thing.
What you’re actually looking at is a lenticular cloud — often mistaken for a flying saucer because of its smooth, disc-like shape. These clouds form when stable, moist air flows over mountainous terrain, creating atmospheric waves that sculpt the cloud into layered lenses.
To a pilot, lenticular clouds are anything but mysterious.
They’re a clear warning sign of strong winds and powerful rotors on the downwind side of terrain — conditions that can deliver a very uncomfortable (or unsafe) ride if you’re not prepared.
This is situational awareness in action:
the ability to observe, interpret, and anticipate what’s really going on around you.
In aviation, this skill keeps you safe.
In leadership, it helps you stay ahead of turbulence — recognising early warning signs, making better decisions, and avoiding unnecessary surprises.
At Flightpath Mentoring, we coach situational awareness and other core leadership practices — so that nothing on your journey is unidentified, unexpected, or flying at you unnoticed.
If you’re curious to learn more, get in touch — and let’s make sense of the signals around you.
Get new insights by email
Short, practical reflections from the flight deck — no spam, just value.