Washington, DC, May 30 - In a recent appearance on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer,” comedian and filmmaker Nathan Fielder sharply criticized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for dismissing findings presented in the second season of his HBO docu-comedy series, “The Rehearsal.” Fielder, joined by aviation safety expert John Goglia, a former National Transportation Safety Board member, called the FAA’s response “dumb,” igniting a public debate about airline safety and pilot training. The controversy stems from the show’s exploration of communication breakdowns in airplane cockpits, a topic Fielder believes is inadequately addressed by current FAA protocols. His pointed remarks have drawn attention to the tension between his unconventional approach to highlighting serious issues and the regulatory body’s defense of its established practices.
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“The Rehearsal” Season 2, which aired its finale on May 25, 2025, centers on Fielder’s investigation into commercial airline safety, specifically the hypothesis that miscommunication between pilots and co-pilots contributes significantly to aviation accidents. To test this theory, Fielder took the extraordinary step of training for two years to become a licensed commercial pilot, earning a type rating to fly a Boeing 737. In the season’s climactic episode, he piloted a 737 with 150 actors as passengers over the Mojave Desert, staging scenarios to examine how co-pilots interact with their superiors. Fielder’s findings suggest that co-pilots often hesitate to challenge captains due to hierarchical dynamics, a human factor he argues leads to preventable crashes. The show, known for its blend of dark humor and elaborate simulations, constructs detailed replicas of cockpits and airports to recreate real-world crash scenarios, aiming to demonstrate the emotional and psychological barriers to effective communication.
The FAA responded to Fielder’s claims through a statement to CNN, asserting that all airline crew members, including pilots and flight attendants, are required to complete Crew Resource Management (CRM) training before starting their roles and on a recurring basis thereafter. The agency further stated it has not observed data supporting Fielder’s assertion that communication issues are a primary cause of airline disasters. This dismissal prompted Fielder’s fiery retort on air: “That’s dumb. They’re dumb.” He elaborated by describing his experience with CRM training, which he characterized as superficial, consisting primarily of a PowerPoint slide instructing co-pilots to speak up if they notice errors by the captain. Fielder argued that this approach lacks the emotional depth needed to prepare pilots for high-stakes situations, failing to address the ingrained deference to authority that can inhibit action in critical moments. Fielder’s critique is bolstered by his collaboration with Goglia, who has advocated for role-playing exercises in pilot training to foster assertiveness among co-pilots. The pair’s appearance on CNN was marked by Fielder’s signature deadpan delivery, laced with subtle Hancock-like humor as he prodded CNN co-host Pamela Brown about workplace dynamics, drawing parallels to cockpit hierarchies. He suggested that just as Brown might hesitate to challenge Blitzer, her more prominent colleague, co-pilots face similar pressures. This analogy underscored his broader point about systemic communication barriers. The discussion highlighted Fielder’s commitment to his thesis, even as he acknowledged the comedic framework of his show, which has earned critical acclaim with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score for Season 2.
The FAA’s statement also comes amid broader scrutiny of the agency, which has faced challenges including staffing shortages and recent high-profile aviation incidents. While Fielder’s methods are unorthodox, building entire sets and hiring actors to simulate crashes, his focus on human factors in aviation safety touches on a documented issue. Historical crash data, such as black-box transcripts cited in the show, reveal instances where co-pilots’ failure to intervene decisively contributed to disasters. Fielder’s insistence that current training does not sufficiently address these dynamics has sparked a conversation about whether more experiential, emotionally resonant training could enhance safety. His CNN appearance, where he wore a “737” baseball hat and referred to his flight as “The Miracle Over the Mojave,” blended his provocative humor with a serious call for reform, challenging the FAA to reconsider its approach to pilot communication.