UnstableAviator
Dual Given.
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2003
- Posts
- 303
The "would you take off 25 pounds over gross" thread got me thinking a little bit about why we do some things in aviation that are most likely unsafe yet commonplace. Taking off 25 pounds over gross at seal level is not "unsafe", just not legal. (So don't do it.)
Somethings that popped into my head are:
Single engine night. I know there were several times when flying on those dark cloudy nights when I had NO OUTS. Low altitude, hilly terrain, no moonlight. Engine quits and no chance for restart, I pitch for best glide (or slower to lessen the impact) and hope for the best. Seems like I should get the pants sued off of me for "Careless and Reckless" if someone died in the crash.
Gusty winds on narrow runways. I know it is more of a skill thing that can't be quantified, but watching some people land on a <30' wide runway with gusty crosswinds definately isn't safe. Some pilots have no problem, but the weekend warrior is asking for bent metal.
Single vacuum pump IMC. I know we train for it, and I didn't have any problem flying partial panel, but recognizing the failure (when not equipped with flags) during a high-workload time such as departure or the approach doesn't seem like a very good situation to find yourself in.
Flying VFR with 3 miles vis. Done it before, even if I'm familiar with the area, it isn't easy to navigate. Forget looking for traffic, all your attention is focused on looking for the airport/terrain/etc.
Special VFR. It has a time and place, but I know we've all heard people getting it when better judgement says otherwise.
Light twins that can't climb on one. I know this is probably most light twins out there, but everytime we takeoff that is a risk that has somehow been deemed acceptable. Charts say you'll get 50'/min or so, but I know the loaded Navajo doesn't stand a chance. Hence the takeoff briefing which includes a prayer for letting the engines run for 2 minutes. I know I've said that prayer before.
I'm just thinking outloud, comments welcome.
Somethings that popped into my head are:
Single engine night. I know there were several times when flying on those dark cloudy nights when I had NO OUTS. Low altitude, hilly terrain, no moonlight. Engine quits and no chance for restart, I pitch for best glide (or slower to lessen the impact) and hope for the best. Seems like I should get the pants sued off of me for "Careless and Reckless" if someone died in the crash.
Gusty winds on narrow runways. I know it is more of a skill thing that can't be quantified, but watching some people land on a <30' wide runway with gusty crosswinds definately isn't safe. Some pilots have no problem, but the weekend warrior is asking for bent metal.
Single vacuum pump IMC. I know we train for it, and I didn't have any problem flying partial panel, but recognizing the failure (when not equipped with flags) during a high-workload time such as departure or the approach doesn't seem like a very good situation to find yourself in.
Flying VFR with 3 miles vis. Done it before, even if I'm familiar with the area, it isn't easy to navigate. Forget looking for traffic, all your attention is focused on looking for the airport/terrain/etc.
Special VFR. It has a time and place, but I know we've all heard people getting it when better judgement says otherwise.
Light twins that can't climb on one. I know this is probably most light twins out there, but everytime we takeoff that is a risk that has somehow been deemed acceptable. Charts say you'll get 50'/min or so, but I know the loaded Navajo doesn't stand a chance. Hence the takeoff briefing which includes a prayer for letting the engines run for 2 minutes. I know I've said that prayer before.
I'm just thinking outloud, comments welcome.