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As The Pro Flies?

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Commercial aviation's superior safety record is largely due to robust, standardized policies and procedures developed from past accidents and incidents.
  • General aviation (GA) pilots can significantly enhance their safety by adapting or modifying many of these commercial practices, even for basic operations.
  • Key areas for GA to adopt include self-imposed professionalism (e.g., personal minimums, maintenance discipline), comprehensive flight planning, standardized cockpit verbalization, and regular recurrent training beyond minimum requirements.
  • By asking "what would a pro do?" and adopting elements of commercial operations' decision-making and preparedness, GA pilots can reduce overall accident risk.
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Commercial air travel is by far the safest mode of modern transportation. General aviation, however, is not as safe. Many factors have improved both categories’ safety records over the years, but procedures and policies established by regulators/industry and implemented by commercial operators have been wildly succesful. These policies and procedures have been introduced over the years due to accidents and incidents that have occurred.

While not all policies and procedures established by commercial operators can be followed by GA pilots, many can be, or they can be modified to fit the aircraft, crew and operation in general. Slight changes to your particular operation to parallel air carrier procedures, policies and techniques may seem trivial but, over time, can enhance safety and reduce the overall risk of accidents. 

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