Don't Tempt Fate With Your Airplane's Red Flags

It's ok to be "a little stitious" and take a hint from the challenges fate throws at you while not tempting them any further.

Jason McDowell

Wednesday, February 01, 2023 at 12:38 PM ET

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Wisconsin winters offer many unique flying experiences for new owners - the trick is knowing your limits and pursuing those experiences with discipline. [Credit: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

The pilot, cautious about their personal aircraft ("a little stitious"), cancelled a planned flight to a frozen lake after multiple risk factors emerged, including challenging crosswinds, a cold engine that wouldn't start, and insufficient daylight.
This decision, initially causing some embarrassment, was validated by a friend who experienced the tricky winds firsthand and by the unique challenges of landing and taxiing on slick ice.
The author concludes that prioritizing safety and preserving one's own cherished airplane, even if it means foregoing a flight or delaying a personal challenge, is a responsible and acceptable approach for aircraft ownership.

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In one of my favorite episodes of The Office, several of the employees fall victim to a series of unfortunate events. Exasperated, boss Michael Scott laments the curse that had apparently befallen the workplace. Speaking to the camera, he concedes that while he is not superstitious, he is “a little stitious.”

While I do not take pleasure in identifying with any personality trait of Michael Scott, I must concede that in matters that concern the safety and well-being of my beloved Cessna 170, I too am just a little stitious.