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 calm response to an unexpected aircraft dunking was attributed to prior underwater egress training, demonstrating the immediate value of practical emergency preparation.
- This experience highlights the "been there, done that" principle, where simulating and practicing emergencies significantly reduces stress and improves a pilot's ability to handle real-life aviation risks.
- The "been there, done that" mindset is crucial across various aviation contexts, from annual jet simulator training for system failures and instrument approaches to preparing new pilots for critical events like engine failure after takeoff.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
