Pay attention in the cockpit and treat aviation with respect, for inattention and complacency can kill you, especially when you operate in the instrument
environment. [Credit: Adobe Stock]
Key Takeaways:
Complacency, often arising from flying familiar routes or approaches, is a major risk, leading to pilots neglecting critical updates, NOTAMs, and thorough pre-flight briefings.
Ensure all navigation data (GPS, charts, NOTAMs) is current and verified, and always have reliable backups, including physical charts, for electronic flight systems.
Always thoroughly brief every approach as if it's new, fly it precisely as published, and avoid rushing descents to maintain safety and situational awareness.
Comply fully with all pre-flight planning requirements (e.g., 14 CFR 91.103) and never attempt hazardous "scud runs" into airports without instrument approaches or in unfamiliar terrain.
In theory, the more you fly, the more proficient you become. But you can also become complacent, especially when doing the same approaches in the same airplane over and over again—then one day, something changes.
Here are some IFR gotchas to watch for:
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
![Pay attention in the cockpit and treat aviation with respect, for inattention and complacency can kill you, especially when you operate in the instrument environment. [Credit: Adobe Stock]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FLY0326_1.jpeg)
