The physical risks include fatigue, dehydration, sudden illness, and medical conditions that could lead to incapacitation during flight. Additionally, the stress of flying can increase the amount of adrenaline in the body, which can lead to physical exhaustion.

Being a pilot is often viewed as a glamorous career, but it comes with significant physical and psychological tolls. The most prominent negative effect is circadian rhythm disruption. Constantly crossing time zones leads to chronic jet lag and "micro-sleep" episodes, which can affect long-term cardiovascular health and cognitive function. Pilots are also exposed to higher levels of cosmic ionizing radiation at high altitudes, which increases their lifetime risk for certain types of skin and prostate cancers. The lifestyle is also notoriously difficult for family life; junior pilots often spend holidays, birthdays, and weekends away from home, leading to high divorce rates and social isolation. Furthermore, the "medical certificate" requirement creates a high-stress environment where a single health issue—like high blood pressure or a mental health diagnosis—can result in an immediate and permanent loss of their career and livelihood. This leads to a culture where many pilots are hesitant to seek help for burnout or depression for fear of being "grounded" by the aviation authorities.