Be Prepared!

J. Mac McClellan

Saturday, August 11, 2001 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots must be highly proficient in ATC communications, capable of flying to IFR standards (even in VFR), and comfortable maintaining at least 100 knots indicated airspeed on final approach when flying into major airports.
Thorough pre-flight preparation is essential, including detailed study of airport diagrams, terminal area charts, FBO services, fees, and IFR reservation requirements.
Maintain heightened operational awareness for safety by anticipating vectors and non-standard traffic patterns, actively managing wake turbulence (staying high and landing long), clearing runways promptly, and utilizing progressive taxi instructions if unsure.

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Check out Dick Collins’s BIG AIRPORT CHECKLIST

This safety piece, which first appeared in the August edition of the Flying, was written months before the September 11th attacks on America. While the nature of our airspace has changed, and continues to change, we believe the general message, that you need to be prepared and profession when you fly in busy airspace, is more timely now than ever.