Climb, Talk, Live

We pilots have been known to do foolish things when under stress. Especially when we find ourselves in a situation for which we have not received any training. The problem is, of course, there are many things for which we haven’t been trained. Not surprisingly, we are likely to worry about the wrong things as we evaluate the hazard we face and then reach the wrong conclusion as to what we should do. It’s natural. We are also the products of a flight training system that has never been willing to educate up and coming pilots on how to avoid the biggest risk we face as aviators—pressing on VFR into crummy weather. We all know it’s the biggest killer annually, but how many of us were taught how to fly by visual references under a 600-foot ceiling an one-mile visibility, or what to do if we find ourselves in such a predicament?

Key Takeaways:

• Pilots often face life-threatening situations when inadvertently flying VFR into bad weather (IMC) due to a lack of specific training for such predicaments and poor decision-making under stress.
• The article emphasizes that the biggest risk aviators face is pressing on VFR into crummy weather, often exacerbated by mental blocks or fear of FAA repercussions that prevent pilots from seeking help or making safer alternative choices like precautionary landings.
• The recommended life-saving action when encountering IMC is to "climb and talk": immediately climb to a safe altitude and contact Air Traffic Control (ATC) for a pop-up IFR clearance.
• ATC controllers are generally very helpful and understanding in these emergencies, prioritizing pilot safety by assisting with clearances, approach information, and waiving certain IFR flight plan requirements, even if the pilot is not IFR current.

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