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Readback: September 2020

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot recounts a costly pre-flight error involving starting the engine with a nose-wheel puller still attached, emphasizing the dangers of distraction and the critical importance of meticulous checklists.
  • The editor defends his writing tone, stating that opinion pieces aim to provoke thought and that discussions on aging pilots are crucial for aviation safety, disagreeing with a reader's "old is dead" sentiment.
  • While modern WAAS GPS navigators can safely guide a localizer-based approach, current FAA regulations (AC 90-108) prohibit legally substituting GPS for an inoperative localizer, requiring the ground-based facility to be part of the setup for compliance.
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Oops! That Sinking Feeling…

I feel the need to share my recent screwup with other pilots because I firmly believe that we can all benefit from the experience of another.

I’m stewing in my disgust and embarrassment for a recent mistake. I make every effort to be a conscientious pilot who’s constantly learning. My recent mistake has produced embarrassment, frustration, exasperation and finally, doubt in my ability to fly safely. Nonetheless, I must accept that I’m a fallible human.

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