Human error is a pervasive and critical factor in aviation incidents, as demonstrated by the author's personal pilot deviation and several recent high-profile close calls involving professional crews and air traffic controllers.
Formal safety checklists like "I'M SAFE" may not adequately address the subtle signs of fatigue, distraction, or compromised mental state that contribute to errors.
Pilots must cultivate heightened self-awareness to detect subtle internal "red flags" or feelings of being "off"—likened to monitoring an engine for slight vibrations—to proactively prevent mistakes.
“November 1750 Whiskey, copy this number down and call when on the ground. Possible pilot deviation.”
Yup. The dreaded words, and just a couple of weeks before the 10-year anniversary of getting my private certificate. It happened earlier this year, departing VanNuys (KVNY) in California.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
Ben Younger is a TV and film writer/director, avid motorcyclist and surfer—but it’s being a pilot that he treats as a second profession. Find him on Instagram @thisisbenyounger.
