Which are your aviation golden rules ?
Do you remember the scene in “The Matrix” where Morpheus teaches Neo about the rules:
What you must learn is that these rules are no different than the rules of a computer system. Some of them can be bent, others can be broken.
Does this apply to aviation ? Well, theoretically speaking no. But we all know about take-offs above maximum take-off weight, or with the center of gravity slightly out of the envelope. Shall I mention distance to clouds, or minimal height over ground ? You know the rule about crowded and non crowded areas. Some flying organizations apply local check-lists and procedures which are no always 100% standard and flight manual compliant.
It would be silly to report here about the rules I personally bent or broke myself – who knows who is reading this blog ? But what I can say is which I did never break or bent, because they’re my personal golden rules. There are at least three of them to which I can think immediately, because breaking them could kill me:
- Never fly VFR in IMC – I’m from a country in which each cloud contains a rock. And other pilots are always flying just below cloud base, making any exit hazardous. Moreover, what about helicopters practicing IMC hovers ?
- Don’t descend below minimums, nor below glide-slope. There’s simply no valid reason to do that. Below minimums come ground and obstructions. If the runway is not visible, the obstacles will not be visible either, making any descent lethal. So many accident reports start with… you know that story.
- Don’t fly with pilots on the black-list. There are three names on my personal black-list. For various reasons, I will never fly with these pilots. For some, it means I will never fly with them again… because they previously brake the one of the other rules.
Did you already think about which rules you’re ready to bent, and which you will always respect ? And what occured when you were in a situation where making an exception became a serious option ? Do you also have golden rules, that you regard as unbreakable ? Let me know in comments.
3 Comments, Comment or Ping
Julien
- Never become complacent with checklists. If checklists are good for 747 captains, they’re good for GA pilots as well.
- Never let external factors of stress make you skip or compromise on safety actions. Example: taking 2 minutes for clearing fouled spark plugs at the holding point even there’s three planes waiting behind you. Much better than having those three planes witness an engine failure right after take-off.
- Know the systems of your aircraft inside-out.
- And of course aviate, navigate, communicate. In this order.
Julien.
Nov 7th, 2008
Brandon
Leave yourself as many “outs” as possible. I discussed this in my latest post. For instance, ask yourself this before every flight. If I get myself into a hazardous situation, what can I do to get myself out of that situation?
Nov 7th, 2008
Dave
Great posts! As a professional pilot for the past 20+ years, many of that in the US Air Force, I’ve unfortunately lost too many friends in aviation s. Most of which would never have violated your golden rules. Unfortunately, sometimes with the best intentions, ie getthereitis, a can do attitude, everyone is counting on me, etc. we make poor decisions.
From my experience, several things have been integral to each I’ve lost a friend. First, they were doing something they had never done before, or at least had limited experience doing. Sometimes we are forced to by circumstances, but this should raise red flags in our mind to be extremely cautious. Secondly, they broke an established rule. Their motives may have been noble, ie to accomplish the mission, to get home, etc. But once again, this is were discipline and a sounding board such as another pilot, your spouse, a good friend can help. Even a non-pilot can save us from making a foolish choice if we listen to them.
Finally, the poor decision started during preflight planning. Think through your circumstances. What are the “gotchas?” What if something goes wrong? What are my escape options? Make the case for why I shouldn’t go now? It may keep you from making a ly choice.
Nov 10th, 2008
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