Mike Hart’s article this month on supplemental oxygen reminded me of something I always try to do before each takeoff: ask myself, “What’s going to try to kill me on this flight?” It’s a fair question to ask, and one that deserves a considered response, at least to yourself. The trick is there’s usually more than one answer.
Weather often is a constant risk. That’s especially true if airframe icing is a possibility, or thunderstorms. Low ceilings are another obvious hazard, as can be a simple unforecast headwind. Which gets us into fuel management and general flight planning. Other times it might be fatigue after a long day at work, or simply that the workday has us focused on concerns completely unrelated to operating an aircraft safely.
