Could your partner/PAX land your plane in an emergency?

[John.com]

We all remember the recent incident in northeastern Wisconsin earlier this month, when an elderly woman took control of her husband's plane after he had passed out at the controls and was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Check out this new training being given in Winnipeg! http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ ... ml?cmp=rss

'Not sure of CAA's view on something like this but it is an interesting angle to ensuring "flight safety"!

Your views?

Safe Skies!

John

[Gyronaut]

As a matter of interest; I offer spouses an unofficial 'Emergency Co-Pilot' course - for Gyroplanes.

It takes 6 hours split over 2 days and covers the following syllabus:

1 Basic principles of flight
2 Cockpit layout & functions
3 Effect of controls
4 Straight & level
5 Climbing
6 Descending
7 Medium turns
8 Approaches
9 Approach & landing
10 Precision Landing
11 X-wind landing
12 Precautionary landing
13 Forced landing
14 Action in the event of a fire
15 Basic Navigation
16 Radio Communication

Presently specific to Gyro's only but I am happy to share whatever material I use with any instructors who may wish to do the same.

Don't be surprised if the spouse flies better than the Pilot

[Bundy]

I have often wondered this myself...no simple answer I guess as it really depends on the circumstances.

I can only speak from a triking point of view and without fair knowledge of the controls I would say there is virtually no chance of a succesfull landing...a "controlled crash" would probably be the best possible result for a first time PAX? My guess would be that the unfortunate indevidual will probably just scream all the way down. I would probably too

Even an experienced pilot rated on type (aquilla in my case) would struggle to land the plane succesfully from the back with no previous experience in doing so? Im sure they would be able to keep the plane straight and be able to manoever downwards on the glideslope, but without full dual controls (throttle and steering) a succesful landing is not likely. If you cant keep the nose wheel straight on touchdown, you will be having a seriously bad day anyway! Coupled with that, the pilot will probably be slumped over? Possibly with their weight on the bar, hindering your control? The panic of a situation you will clearly not be comfortable with???...Sheesh, so many things that will be against you in that situation....

... but I garuantee that if it ever happens to me... I would be hard pressed to give it my best shot !