The number of our landings must always equal our takeoffs, or so goes the old adage. But sometimes the safest way to ensure equality is to do neither. Unlike birds possessing the gift of flight and whose skills are instinctive, we have the hard-won gift of thought. We earn our skills through repetition and reason. Yet, it is precisely the former of these-repetition-which sometimes can work against us. I am thinking here about expectations (with apologies to Charles Dickens) and, in particular, those affecting us while were still on the ground. 288
Takeoff Expectations
The number of our landings must always equal our takeoffs, or so goes the old adage. But sometimes the safest way to ensure equality is to do neither. Unlike birds possessing the gift of flight and whose skills are instinctive, we have the hard-won gift of thought. We earn our skills through repetition and reason.
Key Takeaways:
- Pilots often develop dangerous complacency from routine, expecting successful takeoffs rather than anticipating potential issues, driven by optimism and repetitive uneventful flights.
- It's crucial for all pilots, regardless of aircraft type, to proactively adopt a "go/no-go" mindset before takeoff, mentally rehearsing abort procedures for unexpected events like engine issues or poor acceleration.
- Maintaining a healthy suspicion and preparing for high-speed abort scenarios are vital, as swift, decisive action based on pre-planned responses is necessary when issues arise during the critical takeoff phase.
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