October 11, 2009: Recent U.S. Air Force studies have shown that pilots that eat high fat (lots of butter and oil) diets perform better in tests of alertness, and mental performance in general. This is important, because some 80 percent of aircraft accidents (military and civilian) are caused by pilot error. Aircraft have become much more reliable and easier to operate in the last sixty years, leading to a situation where the alertness and concentration of pilots is the best way to avoid the few accidents that do still occur.

The military is planning to recommend that pilots be offered access to fatty food (pizza, fried chicken and so on) when they are likely to be flying. While this kind of diet is generally frowned on, military pilots tend to be young and very active. So they will have opportunities to keep the pounds off., while increasing their alertness