Register

The Pilot’s Authority

** Titan Aerospace**
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilots are the ultimate "Pilot in Command" (PIC) with final authority over aircraft operation and safety (FAR 91.3), empowering them to make critical decisions like go-arounds, even if ATC suggests otherwise.
  • Despite ATC guidance, pilots are ultimately responsible for their own safety and aircraft separation, requiring active situational awareness and independent decision-making rather than sole reliance on controllers.
  • Pilots should be assertive and advocate for their safety needs with ATC, such as demanding necessary clearances or declaring emergencies, rather than passively accepting instructions that might compromise safety.
See a mistake? Contact us.

So I’m flying along, fat dumb and happy, into the Charlottesville-Albemarle (Va.) Airport (KCHO). The tower controller tells me to enter a right base for Runway 03, which I do, followed by a touch-and-go and entering left closed traffic like a good boy. I mentally pat myself on the back, and think, “Good job, flying here at a Class D airport with the big boys in your little experimental hot rod.”

The controller then says, “Experimental 12345, you are number two to follow a Cirrus on short final, do you have the traffic in sight?” I say, “Experimental 12345, tally,” and the tower clears me to do a touch-and-go behind him, number two. I roll out on final and see the Cirrus still on the runway, still on the runway—still on the runway, two-thirds of the way down it now. Absolutely hogging the runway. 

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE