Complacency

Monday, June 20, 2022 at 06:30 PM ET

Verified

Preflighting your airplane without a checklist is just one of the many signs of complacency you should recognize and correct every time you fly Photo Credits: USAF

Key Takeaways:

Complacency, defined as a false sense of security that blinds one to potential dangers, is an inevitable risk for all in aviation, regardless of their experience or currency.
It can manifest as overconfidence, leading pilots to neglect formal risk management tools or overlook critical details, as illustrated by the author's "wake-up flight" where he was behind the aircraft despite extensive experience.
Even high proficiency can foster complacency; therefore, active preparation, constant vigilance, and consistent use of personal risk-management tools (like "what if" questions or IMSAFE) are crucial to mitigate its effects.

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My family is moving to a new state soon. Every time we go there to do adult stuff, I carve out a little time to get to know the local flying scene. I had a fun 172 checkout with a CFI at the closest FBO, and have since done some sightseeing flights with friends and relatives. During our last trip there, I picked a convenient afternoon and reserved a Cessna 172 with a plan to visit some local airports. I’d already flown to most of the “big” nearby airports on charters; I wanted to visit the fun places, like where the local EAA chapter meets.

The weather was marginal VFR: Ceilings were a little low, but not bad enough to force scud running. There were some scattered rain showers and visibility was good. This is pretty typical for that area. I didn’t even think there might be a problem.