Finding Your Ideal Aircraft: Keep Your Passengers Informed

Letting family and friends know what to expect in flight can put them at ease even when surprises occur.

Monday, January 30, 2023 at 01:39 PM ET

Verified

Following a recent diversion, our Commander 114B spent the night among turboprops on the Essex County Airport ramp. [Credit: Jonathan Welsh]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots are typically required to complete checkouts and log specific flight hours when transitioning to new aircraft types, satisfying requirements from rental companies, flying clubs, or insurance providers.
During a return flight in their new Commander, the pilot encountered an unexpected issue when unable to activate the runway lights at his home airport for a planned night landing.
The pilot successfully diverted to an alternate, larger airport, reinforcing the "when in doubt, divert" mantra and highlighting the importance of more comprehensive passenger briefings that include potential diversions, even from the home field.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Checkouts are common across all types of aviation and they vary depending on the situation. Airline pilots have checkouts when transitioning among aircraft types. So do GA pilots who want to use their flying club’s new Piper PA-28 after years of flying only its Cessna 172.

Aircraft rental companies may require pilots to demonstrate a certain set of skills for an hour or so with an instructor before allowing them to rent an airplane.