“In the event of a dire emergency, stop and wind the clock. In other words, don’t react immediately. Stop, slow down, see what’s going on and then deal with it.” ~ Timothy Nathan, British GA pilot. (http://bit.ly/1aup9fW)
One with the Wing
Full United Airlines Safety Memo to Pilots
Here’s the complete “brutally honest” safety memo sent to every United Airlines pilot this year. Lots of good points about airmanship, discipline and CRM: Date: January 9, 2015 SAFETY ALERT: Significant safety concerns Recent events in our operation have dictated that we communicate with all of you immediately. Over the past few weeks, our airline has experienced what we would …
Dale Masters on Flying and Understanding
This sport can be terribly frustrating at all levels, but after we pay our inevitable dues, it becomes more than worth the effort. Less experienced pilots must be patient and persistent, and continue to try different variations of method. After a few long thermal flight we begin to develop a sense of what is about to happen, and what to …
I am in Competition with No One
I do not compete for trophies. ~ Wilbur Wright
New Book for Pilots Heading to the Airlines
After the rubbish book last week (The Pilot Factor: A fresh look into Crew Resource Management) it was a real pleasure to read something well thought out, nicely presented, and filling an otherwise unmet need. Pilots in Command (2014) by Kristofer Pierson is published by Aviation Supplies and Academics (ASA) who have a large range of pilot training products. It’s about all …
Sometimes Airmanship is Not Flying
The US Department of Labor recently released an order with a rare win for an individual pilot against a large corporation. They are requiring that Air Methods (who operate over 400 helicopters) pay the pilot employee about $160,000 in lost pay and damages after he refused to fly a mission because of an airworthiness issue (the emergency locator transmitter that was …
Do You Fight Hard?
“The hard and stiff will be broken; the soft and supple will prevail.” ~ Lao Tzu
Love the Sweet Squeak of Success!
A Very Bad CRM Book
I was so looking forward to The Pilot Factor: A fresh look into Crew Resource Management (2014) by Jean Denis Marcellin. Had heard about it online. Cool cover picture has airline pilot ripping off uniform shirt to show Superman costume underneath. Some glowing reviews on Amazon. Then I got the book and started reading. Oh dear. It’s a self-published stretched padded 100 …