In that vast wasteland we call television, a clever commercial has been making the rounds lately. It depicts a hapless sad sack in a crumpled white suit bumbling through a nighttime cityscape setting off fires, floods and other assorted mayhem. The catchline is “risk never sleeps.” It sure enough doesnt, but the other essential element of accidents is opportunity. Consider this: In two years time, Cirrus Design will have sold more than 1000 turbocharged SR22s, each capable of effortless cruise in the mid-20s. 288
My Payne Stewart Moment
In that vast wasteland we call television, a clever commercial has been making the rounds lately. It depicts a hapless sad sack in a crumpled white suit bumbling through a nighttime cityscape setting off fires, floods and other assorted mayhem. The catchline is "risk never sleeps." It sure enough doesnt, but the other essential element of accidents is opportunity. Consider this: In two years time, Cirrus Design will have sold more than 1000 turbocharged SR22s, each capable of effortless cruise in the mid-20s. The risk, of course, is hypoxia, and 1000 airplanes is enough opportunity to give an insurance executive ulcers.
Key Takeaways:
- High-altitude general aviation flying presents a significant and often underestimated risk of hypoxia, with traditional training methods often falling short.
- Hypoxia Awareness Training (HAT), which simulates high-altitude oxygen deprivation at sea-level to help pilots recognize early symptoms, is recommended as a superior alternative to traditional chamber rides.
- A key challenge in combating hypoxia is the pilot's tendency towards denial and task-orientation, leading them to delay decisive action even after receiving training.
- Recurrent hypoxia training, especially HAT, is crucial to reinforce immediate and decisive responses like emergency descent and supplemental oxygen, helping pilots overcome the urge to tough out symptoms.
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