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Discretion vs. Valor

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An experienced pilot meticulously prepared for an IFR flight to present an award, initially planning for challenging but manageable conditions.
  • Upon receiving updated weather briefings and pilot reports, the pilot identified widespread and severe hazards, including moderate icing from the surface up, turbulence, and critical low IFR conditions with freezing temperatures at potential landing sites.
  • Prioritizing safety ("I love my life"), the pilot made a "command decision" to cancel the flight, deeming the cumulative risks unacceptable, a choice later validated by the award recipient and another seasoned pilot who also cancelled.
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I made a list of the people I had to call. There were 10 people on the list ranging from Bonnie, who was scheduled to house-sit for our Aussie shepherds, Rueben and Whoopi, to my mother, who watches the weather and knows-even before I do-where bad things are happening.

One of the names on the list was Hal Shevers, founder of Sporty’s Pilot Shop. I had to let Hal know I wasn’t going to be able to make lunch and the presentation of the Flying Editors’ Choice Award to Sporty’s in recognition of its DVD-based pilot training programs. I wasn’t sure how Hal would take my decision to cancel my flight to Batavia, Ohio. Because I am a senior editor of Flying magazine it’s often incorrectly assumed that I can deal with conditions that might have less experienced pilots waiting out the weather.

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