Navigating the 'Scariest Moment' as an Aircraft Owner

When purchasing one’s first aircraft, buyers often spend little to no time evaluating their checklists and flows.

Jason McDowell

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 11:53 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

Most aircraft buyers painstakingly evaluate and analyze every mechanical aspect of their new-to-them aircraft. But sometimes, old, outdated, and obsolete checklists are accepted and utilized without much thought. [Courtesy: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

The author recounts two types of "scariest moments" in their flying career: a serious in-flight electrical fire during commercial training and critical pre-takeoff errors as a new aircraft owner.
The in-flight fire underscored the importance of pilot vigilance and decisive action when sensing danger, even if initially unconfirmed by others.
The owner's takeoff incidents stemmed from a poorly designed, inherited checklist that caused critical pre-takeoff omissions like incorrect flap settings and forgotten carb heat.
The article advocates for aircraft owners to proactively evaluate and customize their checklists, implementing personal safety flows, to prevent preventable in-flight emergencies.

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As a pilot transitions from aircraft renter to owner, several significant changes occur. Most notably, their savings account—once a lush wonderland of excess funds and interest—becomes a financial wasteland rivaling the most bleak postapocalyptic films ever created. Similarly, their mental catalog of “scariest moments” begins to revolve more around the results of annual inspections than any situation in the air.

That said, scary moments in flight indeed still occur.