An aspiring pilot hanging out with other pilots will, from time to time, find him or herself riding shotgun with another, similarly afflicted individual. This is as it should be, since misery loves company. Since the person in the left seat for these flights often has more hours and experience than us, well often defer in-flight decisions or 288
Off The End
An aspiring pilot hanging out with other pilots will, from time to time, find him or herself riding shotgun with another, similarly afflicted individual. This is as it should be, since misery loves company. Since the person in the left seat for these flights often has more hours and experience than us, well often defer in-flight decisions or fail to speak up when we notice something amiss. Thats the wrong reaction. My first learning experience as a right-seater came shortly after earning my private. Suddenly, I was a senior member of the local Civil Air Patrol (CAP) composite squadron and there was a for-real search-and-rescue mission on.
Key Takeaways:
- Pilots riding "shotgun" often defer to more experienced pilots in command, failing to speak up when they notice something amiss.
- The author's personal anecdotes highlight how this deference can lead to unsafe situations, such as runway overruns or near-collisions.
- It is crucial for all pilots, regardless of their position or experience level, to voice observations and concerns to provide a valuable second opinion and enhance safety.
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