The number of our landings must always equal our takeoffs, or so goes the old adage. But sometimes the safest way to ensure equality is to do neither. Unlike birds possessing the gift of flight and whose skills are instinctive, we have the hard-won gift of thought. We earn our skills through repetition and reason. Yet, it is precisely the former of these-repetition-which sometimes can work against us. I am thinking here about expectations (with apologies to Charles Dickens) and, in particular, those affecting us while were still on the ground. 288
Takeoff Expectations
The number of our landings must always equal our takeoffs, or so goes the old adage. But sometimes the safest way to ensure equality is to do neither. Unlike birds possessing the gift of flight and whose skills are instinctive, we have the hard-won gift of thought. We earn our skills through repetition and reason.
Key Takeaways:
- Pilots often develop a dangerous complacency and "can-do" mindset due to repeated uneventful takeoffs, expecting a smooth departure rather than preparing for potential issues.
- It's crucial for pilots, even in general aviation, to proactively make "go/no-go" decisions and review abort procedures *before* commencing takeoff, similar to multiengine or transport category operations.
- Maintaining a "healthy suspicion" for potential problems and having well-practiced, decisive responses are essential for successfully handling unexpected events during takeoff, combating "suspicion extinction."
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