Accident Probes

There were two basic rules I learned early on in my aviation career. One of them was to avoid instrument conditions because I didnt have the training, even if the airplane was adequately equipped. The other was to never fly an airplane with known deficiencies that could affect the flights outcome. This included balky airspeed indicators, as one example, or inoperative radios as another. There have been many rules learned-and sometimes bent-since then, but these stand out. Ive tried mightily to comply with them. Call it self-preservation.

Establishing someones basic medical fitness for flight has long been a prerequisite for pilot certification. Before even going far beyond initial lessons, primary students should have obtained at least a Class III FAA medical certificate, which is a requirement before their first solo.

Keeping current is one of the downsides of earning the Instrument rating. Even if our flying activity is above-average, logging all of the required maneuvers in actual IMC during six-months of normal operations is next to impossible for many pilots. Thankfully, the FAAs recent-experience rules allow us to simulate instrument conditions even in good VFR as long as we have a safety pilot along.

Early in our flying careers, we do everything by the book. Watching a flight schools ramp, its not at all uncommon to see a student peering intently back and forth between the airplanes POH and, say, the engine compartment. We check everything during the preflight, even if the tires are still warm from the squawk-free flight just concluded.

This time of year, pilots main weather worry turns to airframe icing. The thunderstorms are (mostly) gone, replaced by layers and layers of moisture-laden clouds. Depending on where and how high you fly, there be ice in them there clouds.

Flying a personal aircraft is different things to different people. To some, its fun, relaxing recreation. To others, its an efficient, private transportation mode. It can be just a job, or a career or a reason for living. Thats when things are going well.

When the chips are down, you only get one shot at handling an in-flight emergency.

If you fly enough, your air-driven gyros eventually will fail. Then, sadly, youre on your own.

Not all airplanes are created equal. You need to think about whether yours is appropriate for the mission.

Although you might not tell the FAA about it, are you absolutely certain youre healthy enough for this flight?