Comments on: Which are your aviation golden rules ? http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/2008/11/06/which-are-your-aviation-golden-rules/ General Aviation and Aviation In General Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:02:37 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Dave http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/2008/11/06/which-are-your-aviation-golden-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-10939 Dave Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:37:18 +0000 http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/?p=991#comment-10939 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. 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.

]]> By: Brandon http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/2008/11/06/which-are-your-aviation-golden-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-10864 Brandon Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:10:02 +0000 http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/?p=991#comment-10864 Leave yourself as many "outs" as possible. I discussed this in my <a href="http://flighttrainingtips.blogspot.com/2008/11/night-engine-failure-strategy.html" rel="nofollow">latest post</a>. 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? 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?

]]> By: Julien http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/2008/11/06/which-are-your-aviation-golden-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-10854 Julien Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:44:26 +0000 http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/?p=991#comment-10854 - 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 <i>aviate, navigate, communicate</i>. In this order. 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.

]]>