Master and Commander

An approach to safety of dont have an accident and always effectively weight risks doesnt work because we dont take actions we think will cause accidents. Tom Turner recently presented a Wings seminar, Stop Teaching About Safety, covering this. Safetys an integral outcome, not a separate goal. Instead, he suggested approaching flying as its master and commander: The result will be safety. While being master and commander will work for all pilots, the instrument environment presents unique challenges to achieving that goal.

jmiller

Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Safety in aviation is not a separate goal but an integral outcome achieved when pilots adopt a "master and commander" approach to their flights.
"Mastery" involves cultivating deep proficiency in understanding the aircraft's systems and limitations, interpreting complex weather phenomena (a common weakness among pilots), and managing diverse operational responsibilities.
"Commanding" requires exercising authority, making informed decisions through strong situational awareness and clear planning, and knowing when to assert control, even over external influences like Air Traffic Control.
This "master and commander" philosophy is particularly vital for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flying, demanding specialized skills in avionics, automation management, and tactical weather interpretation to ensure safe outcomes.

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When my young son perches precariously on the edge of a stool, I admonish him to sit correctly before he falls. “I won’t fall,” he responds. “You won’t until you will,” I say.

Ask any pilot before the take off if the end will be a crash, and obviously the answer will be an emphatic, “No.” Yet, some do crash. People don’t make choices that they know will result in undesired outcomes.