ADM The Life or Death Decisions

[Bundy]

Recent tragic events have made me ask myself some tough questions.

In my very short time as a qualified PIC I am beginning to realise that ADM (Aeronautical Decision Making) is the one skill that above all else has to be maintained. I have to ask myself, have I always made the right decisions with regards to my flying and to be honest the answer is NO! One only has to look at some terrible accidents over the years to realise that a safe pilot is not the one with 1000’s of hrs experience, an acrobatic rating, ATPL or whatever….The truly safe pilots are the ones who have the discipline to make the right decisions consistently. They are the Pilots who do not just go with a group decision when there are other factors to consider, the ones that follow the rules, and encourage others to do the same. There are no traffic cops up here, no road blocks and no fines (not yet) but the penalties in this game are severe! Live or Die… its your choice.

I’m sorry if I sound like the High School Principal, and I am certainly not trying to be a know it all but we have to put a stop to these accidents, both the inconsequential and the fatal. The Airlaw book (yes that one on the shelf with all the dust on it!) describes the “privileges” that a pilot can exercise. I hope this rings true in our ears from now on. Flying is truly a privilege, and it comes with great responsibility.

Our Aircraft were built to fly, the decision of when to fly remains with us. BE SAFE!

[Tailspin]

Hi Bundy

What you are saying is true. I believe that as long as you feel comfortable to fly at a specific time and that you without a doubt will be able to handle the situations that some of the WX and or the terrain will throw at you, rather err on the side of safety then err on the side of OH SH!T.

I would love to fly more but work and other problems keep me to hit one miss 3 sort of situations and if i feel i dare not go because of either in expriance or whatever reason i rather not go. So what if i get called a Pussy - I have a Family and a responsability to think of.

Something that was said to me "Fly in Bad weather and we will bury your ass on a sunny day ! "

Just my 2$ Zim