The weight-shift-control sea aircraft I was about to learn to fly in California was on an inflatable boat tied up to the dock. As I looked it over, I could see that, with the wing and engine mounted on top, it was very top-heavy. The biggest problem I expected to have was that the water-rudder controls were backward from airplane rudder controls—step on the left pedal to go right and the right pedal to go left. You could tell yourself that, and it worked great when you were making a decision in advance to turn on the water. But when you were correcting an unintended turn, it was hard to overcome years of habit in an airplane.
Underwater Egress Training Pays Off
When you can say, “Been there, done that!”
Key Takeaways:
- The author's personal experience of an unexpected water landing demonstrated the life-saving value of prior "dunker" training, enabling her to calmly and effectively escape the submerged aircraft.
- The article emphasizes the "been there, done that" principle as crucial for aviation risk mitigation, where repeated practice and simulated experiences prepare pilots for real-life emergencies.
- This type of training, ranging from underwater escape drills to flight simulator sessions for system failures and adverse weather, reduces pilot stress and ensures proper, confident execution of procedures during critical events.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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