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Rushing the Preflight Inspection

"As soon as we landed, we heard a huge pop followed by the horrendous screeching sound of metal dragging on asphalt." Barry Ross
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A lifelong aviation enthusiast experienced a prop strike on a borrowed aircraft due to rushing pre-flight checks and failing to remove a tow bar before takeoff.
  • The mishap was compounded by his flight instructor's evasion of responsibility for the training flight, leading to a destroyed relationship and complications with the aircraft's insurance claim.
  • The author learned critical lessons about the dangers of rushing, the importance of having a trustworthy instructor, and a clear understanding of pilot-in-command responsibilities, while maintaining his enduring passion for flying.
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As a kid, I was lucky to go on a lot of family vacations. Colorado, California, Florida—wherever we went, I always angled for the window seat on airplanes, eager to watch the earth disappear under me during takeoff.

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