Worst Pilot Mistakes

To begin with, pilots make mistakes just like any other professional we deal with on a daily basis simply because they are human. They forget. They get comfortable with their past performance. They get complacent . They exceed their personal minimums. They rely far too much on new technology. Finally, and the most dangerous of all, are those that think of themselves as the “Hot Shot” Pilots make mistakes by simply forgetting.

In their own minds, they become bulletproof, almost immortal. They get too comfortable with their past performance. It is usually the problem when we are told that some type of “pilot error” causes over 90% of all aviation accidents. They are usually very comfortable with their level of training, airmanship, aircraft knowledge, and certainly their expertise in getting from point “A” to point “B” and landing safely. Complacency is the easiest of all traps to fall into and the hardest to recognize and repair. It is also an erosion of all your skills and training if you let this happen to you.

Personal minimums are something that we as pilots in command set for ourselves. Personal minimums should be improved on or at least added to on each and every flight. Write down what you feel are acceptable minimums that you have set for yourself and then discuss them with another pilot you trust or your personal flight trainer. Get a second opinion. Do not overrate yourself to a level that you are unable to achieve on a regular basis. No one knows you better than you. Do not rely too much on new technology or ideas that can prove deadly without a backup. What we need to remember and use is the proven systems that have taken care of us for a lot of years, VORs, NDBs, Loran, time and distance, speed, wind correction, and certainly, “Prior planning prevents —- poor performance.”

The cockpit is no place to start planning your flight. If you are not mentally ready to devote your entire mind to taking this flight, don’t go. Be very wary of “Hot Shot.” Sometimes the very worst mistake pilots make is simply never learning that the airplane is really flying them.

The following are mistakes and attitudes identified by the Federal Aviation Administration: invulnerability; anti-authority; impulsivity; Mr. Macho; and resignation. Don’t let yourself fall into these traps by simply being aware of them. Know your enemy! And remember—“If all else fails, fly the airplane!” There are certainly a lot of great flight instructors out there to help you stay at maximum performance and prepare you to be a head of the game. Try to find that certain one that exceeds your needs and is not afraid to tell you what has to be done. Learning and re-learning how to fly is a constant battle; at least it’s supposed to be. Are you completely satisfied with your flying skills? Remember, this is a constant and never ending improvement. If you can afford to fly that aircraft you are in, you can also afford good training. In fact, you have to. Call me and lets get some serious training. Remember, MOST ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED AND THEREFORE PREVENTABLE!