They say a pilot never stops learning. But that’s not true. Complacency can set in right around the time we’ve forgotten what flaming tomatoes have to do with flying airplanes. We realize that most flights go just fine, and without a healthy spook now and then, we reach a learning plateau. My first spook hit me on a bright spring day over suburban Phoenix.
I Learned About Flying from That: A Near Miss
Key Takeaways:
- The author experienced a dangerous close call with unseen traffic in crowded VFR airspace, emphasizing the limitations of "see and avoid" and the critical role of Air Traffic Control intervention.
- Through this incident and a separate GPS failure, the author realized that aviation inherently contains unavoidable risks, even when pilots meticulously follow all procedures.
- These "spooks" serve as vital learning experiences, pushing pilots beyond complacency plateaus and fostering a profound appreciation for flying's unique blend of beauty and inherent vulnerability.
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