Everyone Should Pay Close Attention in the Cockpit

There are lessons to be learned for GA passengers as well.

Kevin Marshall

Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 09:02 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Even if you're not a pilot, there's a lot that life-loving riders should learn about flying. [Image: Joel Kimmel]

Key Takeaways:

The author, a general aviation passenger, recounts a harrowing flight where a pilot's poor judgment, lack of experience with a new jet, and inadequate fuel planning led to dangerous low-visibility approaches.
A subsequent incident detailed a total electrical failure mid-flight in a recently converted aircraft, highlighting that even with a highly vetted pilot, the aircraft's recent modifications can pose significant risks.
The overarching takeaway is that GA passengers must educate themselves to critically vet both the pilot's competence and the aircraft's airworthiness, rather than blindly trusting either.

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I’m no pilot, but I am part of the flying population that likely outnumbers pilots: the GA passenger. And there is a lot that we life-loving riders should learn about flying.

My dad and grandpa’s Cessna 172 Skyhawk XP, with its delightfully itchy sheepskin seats and the “Please step outside to smoke” sign on the dash, introduced me to aviation as a 7-year-old. I would practice ELT searches with my dad, organize Jeppesen charts, and try to read the instruments just like he would.