Departure Difficulties

Too often, instrument training can focus only on approaches, those procedures at the end of a flight allowing us to find a runway and land on it. But well before we’re cleared for an approach, we have to take off, climb to altitude and get through the en route system to someplace close to our destination. Sure, approaches are sexy, but other portions of an instrument flight are just as important. Take initial climb and departure, for instance, something at which pilots routinely fail.

Key Takeaways:

• The article highlights initial instrument climbs and departures as critical, high-risk phases of flight where even experienced pilots in well-equipped aircraft often fail, primarily due to pilot-related issues like disorientation, lack of preparation, and failure to maintain basic aircraft control, rather than equipment malfunction or extreme weather alone.
• Common factors in fatal departure accidents include pilot distraction during critical phases (e.g., frequency changes), failure to establish or maintain a positive climb rate, and not following the cleared departure path.
• To mitigate these risks, pilots must prioritize meticulous pre-flight and pre-takeoff preparation (including avionics setup and departure briefing), maintain instinctive basic attitude flying proficiency, delay autopilot engagement until safely clear of the ground, and ensure a sterile cockpit during departure.

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