When I started learning to fly it was because I was riding with a low-time pilot and was not comfortable with his skills. I wanted to be able to land if he fainted. After just a few lessons I was hooked. I continued my training through my private certificate and then my instrment rating. My next goal was to get my commercial certificate, and I put a deadline on getting it. I was going to finish before the year was out! I never considered that setting a goal to motivate myself could get me into serious trouble.
I Learned About Flying From That
Key Takeaways:
- Driven by a self-imposed deadline to obtain a commercial pilot certificate, the author made several errors, including scheduling critical practice during a busy holiday season and flying while exhausted after a late-night party.
- These poor decisions culminated in a gear-up landing during a practice flight in an unfamiliar aircraft, caused by a combination of distraction, a forgotten landing checklist, and the landing gear override being engaged.
- The incident, while frightening, taught the author the crucial lesson of always assessing personal limitations and readiness, such as fatigue and potential for distraction, before flying, not just aircraft capability or weather conditions.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
