Flying For Transportation

Each of us flies for different reasons. Many pilots started (or continue) as enthusiasts interested in airplanes as recreational machines. Others learned to fly as a prelude to a career in the cockpit. For many, aircraft primarily are a means of transportation for business or personal reasons. In fact, if I did not require an airplane for travel, I would not bother to fly any more. If you seek to use general aviation aircraft for travel, I believe a special approach to safety—implemented through targeted training and consistent flight operations—is required, especially if you are trying to meet any kind of schedule. Unfortunately, our training and operating procedures generally don’t prepare us for these flights. It is possible, however, to achieve high levels of safe utility, even with single-engine piston aircraft, if you employ a few simple techniques to achieve efficiency and reliability while managing risk.

Key Takeaways:

• General aviation pilots using aircraft for transportation require a special approach to safety, as current training methods are inadequate and accident rates for personal flying have increased.
• Pilots should adopt a comprehensive "operational risk management" strategy, akin to running a "mini airline," to enhance overall safety and utility across their flight operations.
• This operational risk management involves systematically addressing risks related to the Pilot (qualifications, health), Aircraft (suitability, equipment, performance), Environment (weather, terrain), and External Pressures (schedules, passengers) through targeted training and practical operational limits.

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