I have always considered myself a pilot who plays by the rules. Dare I say I may be a “goody two-shoes” to some? But I’m always trying my best to be someone quite familiar with the wide range of regulations and procedures expected of me both as a general aviation and an airline flyer has served me well. Knock on wood—I have not been involved in any accidents, nor have I been the subject of FAA enforcement actions.
However, as I learned on a recent flight, there are some “rules” that I am expected to know and follow that cannot be found anywhere in the FARs or any other official aviation resource. I place the word “rules” in quotes because I view them as just that—subjective things to perhaps consider, maybe even refer to as “best practices,” but which do not fit the textbook rules we in aviation know all too well. Perhaps they’re best identified as one person’s or a group’s preferences. But I digress.
