It Comes Down to This: In Garmin We Trust

Sweaty palms and button pushing are all part of being a pilot.

Monday, February 10, 2025 at 09:02 AM ET

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FLYING contributor Ben Younger says there is simply no world where his skill set and ability to execute will ever be able to beat his avionics. [Courtesy: Ben Younger]

Key Takeaways:

The pilot experienced sudden disorientation and high workload when unexpectedly entering Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) after takeoff, highlighting how quickly challenging situations can arise.
The article advocates for leveraging advanced avionics, particularly autopilots, as critical safety tools to manage workload, maintain precision, and reduce pilot error during unexpected IMC and challenging instrument approaches.
While acknowledging the importance of practicing hand-flying, the author argues that pilots should strategically rely on autopilot capabilities in high-stress, single-pilot IFR conditions, viewing them as a "savior" that often outperforms human ability.

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On a cool, early October afternoon, I was climbing away from Runway 32 at KMIV (Millville, New Jersey) on the LEEAH 5 departure.

Accelerating to 120 kias, I picked up the gear and started the required 180-degree right turn toward the LEEAH intersection. The ASOS promised 900-foot ceilings. Sometimes they lie in the brochure. I was in the soup at 600 agl and quickly found myself a touch disoriented—and a little behind the airplane.

Ben Younger

Ben Younger is a TV and film writer/director, avid motorcyclist and surfer—but it’s being a pilot that he treats as a second profession. Find him on Instagram @thisisbenyounger.