Easiest way to kill yourself in a plane

[9GClub]

Fellow Flightnuts,

I'm set to begin flight training (in the mighty and venerable C172..... maybe I'll do some JATO stuff to spruce it up a bit, we'll see) in earnest in a couple months, and I wanted to get some feedback from those of you who have a bit more than my 0.8 hours PIC. What are some classic rookie mistakes I should be aware of? There are basic maneuvering no-nos (i.e. don't overshoot the runway with a tailwind base and then buy the farm in a cross-controlled blaze of glory), and we've all read stories about the classic rookie hot-shot performing a textbook accelerated stall over his house at 50' AGL, 80 degrees of bank, and 438 G's......but how about some more subtle stuff? I'm primarily interested in maneuvering flight issues, but everything's fair game.... fuel management; weather (including ice); wings, undercarrriage, and stick-on CO detector all falling off the aircraft simultaneously, etc. Feel free to divulge some of your rookie-stupidity anecdotes too. We'll all laugh at you for a few weeks and then add them to our respective "experience bags." Thanks in advance for helping to edumacate a rookie......

 

[Goose Egg]

Have you ever heard the saying that goes something like "Superior pilots use superior judgement to avoid having to use their superior flying skill."

Unfortunately, another saying also applies: "Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

Anyway, buzzing, ignoring the checklist, and pushing weather are all really good ways of offing yourself. Read the accident reports. You'll see.

I'm sure there are many other people with more to say on the subject, but that's my $0.02.

-Goose

 

[ohiopilot]

Well, I just took my PP checkride two weeks ago and can just say that your instructor will teach you this stuff as you go. I wouldn't worry about learning that stuff on an internet forum. Just my .02 since just going through it.

Now, for some of my stupid things:

1) While out practicing stalls by myself, I was getting the configurations mixed up as far as power-off/on stalls, flaps, etc. Make sure you know that power-on does NOT use flaps and that power-off uses full. Etc.

2) When a 172 is on a 5 mile final and you are turning final, don't freak out and do a go-around. LOL (I had PLENTY of time, plus I was much lower than he.)

Enjoy!

 

[Vik]

Stop watching Top Gun at least a year prior to starting training, but since it appears that you're still watching it over and over, I suggest you stop now.

Fellow Flightnuts,

I'm set to begin flight training (in the mighty and venerable C172..... maybe I'll do some JATO stuff to spruce it up a bit, we'll see) in earnest in a couple months, and I wanted to get some feedback from those of you who have a bit more than my 0.8 hours PIC. What are some classic rookie mistakes I should be aware of? There are basic maneuvering no-nos (i.e. don't overshoot the runway with a tailwind base and then buy the farm in a cross-controlled blaze of glory), and we've all read stories about the classic rookie hot-shot performing a textbook accelerated stall over his house at 50' AGL, 80 degrees of bank, and 438 G's......but how about some more subtle stuff? I'm primarily interested in maneuvering flight issues, but everything's fair game.... fuel management; weather (including ice); wings, undercarrriage, and stick-on CO detector all falling off the aircraft simultaneously, etc. Feel free to divulge some of your rookie-stupidity anecdotes too. We'll all laugh at you for a few weeks and then add them to our respective "experience bags." Thanks in advance for helping to edumacate a rookie......

 

[mayday1]

do a good preflight (airplane, weather, performance, fuel, etc.). takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory.

one small tip... verify the mags are in the "both" position prior to takeoff. a mag in a L or R position might lead to a very rough running engine, and a scary situation... or so I've heard : )

 

[avbug]

Switch tanks before takeoff. Burn off the bottom half of your tank. Don't preflight. Don't warm your engine before takeoff. Don't lean for takeoff, or at altitude. Ignore carburetor ice. Don't sump your fuel tanks. Put the checklist in the seat back and ignore it. Wipe off oil leaks...they fix themselves. Handprop the airplane without adequate training. Practice spins on your own without training. Run your tire pressures low. Use automotive fuel. Fly low. And a thousand other things.

Rather than worry about what could hurt or kill you, concentrate on merely learning to fly. Do that properly, and you're much more likely to come out ahead.

 

[Uncle Sparky]

Well, I just took my PP checkride two weeks ago and can just say that your instructor will teach you this stuff as you go. I wouldn't worry about learning that stuff on an internet forum. Just my .02 since just going through it.

Actually, I think talking to an experienced pilot, whether it be on the internet or down at the airport is a good way to start. As far as the instructor, listen to what he has to say but remember that most are barely past the student stage themselves. What I mean by this is: they have complied with all of the FAA requirements up to the qualifications of CFI but generally don't have a lot of the real world training(they haven't had a chance to make all of the mistakes!). My biggest advice.....Never stop using your own eyes. Don't assume the instructor sees all traffic and when tower clears you onto a runway, check the approach path yourself to be sure your not about to be runover. Controllers can and have made mistakes before! Ultimately, the burden rests on your shoulders. Look up "see and avoid" in the FAR/AIM. Use your eyes.....

 

[minitour]

1) While out practicing stalls by myself, I was getting the configurations mixed up as far as power-off/on stalls, flaps, etc. Make sure you know that power-on does NOT use flaps and that power-off uses full. Etc.

if you don't use flaps in a power on stall, how do you slow to rotate speed before you kick in the juice? You'd already be so close to stalling that the power would make you stall...

at least the way they're teaching it here is flaps 10 (C152) slow to 55-60kts, add full power and shut off the carb heat, you'll pitch up, the speed bleeds off, you stall...

Just curious is all...don't take it as anything but that.

As for "stupid mistakes":

Saying "with you" ... and "tally ho" ... and "checkin in" ... well just read the other thread and you'll learn all sorts of things not to say.

I'd say just keep it coordinated...you won't "end up in a cross controlled blaze of glory" if you don't get cross controlled...you won't spin if you're coordinated...all the things they scare you with during PPL training.

hmm...things I did that I learned a lot from...
OH I know!

When learning how to land with your CFI...don't cut the power at 100' and start to flare at 50'...it makes for a bumpy ride down the runway. And don't be afraid to go around...if something doesn't look right, don't end up with one main on the runway and the other taking out runway edge lights...just go around, line it up again and set up a squeeker...

Good Luck!

-mini

 

[rumpletumbler]

And for those random failures later on and to triple maintenance costs.....never, ever....lean on the ground.

 

[minitour]

...lean on the ground.

I agree..it's much better to walk on then lean on....

har har har