I see there have been a few mishaps lately. I also read threads on experience (or the lack there of) quick upgrades, 1500 hour captains and such. Maybe it’s time the guys with experience give a few pointers.
I sure as hell don’t have a lot of experience, but here are a few things that have worked for me, either passed on by my peers, or self-taught usually through screw-ups.
Do a walk around every leg - a final check to make sure cowls are latched, fuel caps tight, pod doors shut, engine/prop ties removed. You’d be amazed how many drivers have damaged machinery not doing this.
“If you can’t see in front of you, you have no business being there”. A great quote from a very experienced twatter driver. You can be at 100 feet and perfectly safe (not legal) if you know where you are, where you’re going, and most importantly can see well ahead of you.
Thunderstorms - When operating in or near CB’s with no WX radar (storm scopes are shit), if at all possible go under them visually and look for the shafts of rain. Avoid the shafts of rain, and you should have a smooth flight – no guarantees about getting hit by lightning.
Fuel – you can never have too much (unless your on fire). I’ll leave the debate how much and when to carry it up the experts. For me, it didn’t weigh anything, and I always took more then needed.
Complacency – it’s a killer. No kidding it sneaks up on you in the most insidious of times. Thinking about your girlfriend, your new car, how great a pilot you are is when this bitch will rear its ugly head. “Shit happens” is a comment quoted by us pilots who got complacent and got caught, assuming you weren’t killed.
Go, no go – if it’s legal (WX, fuel, alternates) there is no reason to decline a trip. If’s it’s borderline but you have a few “outs” and it’s safe, go. If your down to the last pound of fuel on paper, you have one alternate that just holds and will go down after your ETA, and your spidy sense is going off, leave that one to the drivers with lots of experience.
If you have a decision (fuel, winds, mins, go/no go, ETC) that requires more thought then what you would like for supper, you know your making a bad choice. You’re trying to make it work. Make the safest choice. You may not be the company hero, but you’ll have a safe and long career.
Know your plane, your limits, and don’t exceed either.
Always leave yourself an out.
Nothing in this industry is worth killing yourself over.
At the end of the day, it’s just a job.
Cheers, and safe flying.
Calling all guys with experience
Moderators: North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, lilfssister, I WAS Birddog
Calling all guys with experience
The feet you step on today might be attached to the ass you're kissing tomorrow.
Chase lifestyle not metal.
Chase lifestyle not metal.
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Cat Driver
- Top Poster
- Posts: 18921
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:31 pm
Excellent KAG...
Fu.kin excellent..
My suggestion is lets find a way to get rid of all the bad operators who intimidate pilots into flying against all those rules you posted through fear of no job or just plain to inexperienced to say no.
Operators who operate by the rules would sure make for a safer industry in my opinion.
Fu.kin excellent..
My suggestion is lets find a way to get rid of all the bad operators who intimidate pilots into flying against all those rules you posted through fear of no job or just plain to inexperienced to say no.
Operators who operate by the rules would sure make for a safer industry in my opinion.
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
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Pilot_adam
- Rank 5
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- Joined: Wed May 11, 2005 3:28 pm
- Location: CYHM
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Captain CADORS
- Rank 2
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:36 pm
Thanks
Thanks for the reminders, KAG. Too true about complacency - just when you think you've got it figured out...! How about some more tips from others too...
Yours,
CADORS
Yours,
CADORS
always blow the boots in descent while still near mmo when you have airframe icing. The extra speed will help clear as much of the ice as possible and require either less deicing on the ground, or less ice to melt off if the temps are warm enough to do it.
If you can't point out your own mistakes to your first officers they might not feel comfortable pointing out a mistake you've made either. it would sure suck missing something important because you were unapproachable.
you buy the FO the coffee, not the other way around.
ATC will bend over backward for you if you ask them anything in the name of safety. You're far better off to give them a heads up of a potential problem early on then wait till you're in deep before asking for help.
always, always take the blame for your mistakes. no one is perfect, and everyone hates a liar.
long days sure go a lot quicker if you can have a sense of humour about the little stuff.
If you can't point out your own mistakes to your first officers they might not feel comfortable pointing out a mistake you've made either. it would sure suck missing something important because you were unapproachable.
you buy the FO the coffee, not the other way around.
ATC will bend over backward for you if you ask them anything in the name of safety. You're far better off to give them a heads up of a potential problem early on then wait till you're in deep before asking for help.
always, always take the blame for your mistakes. no one is perfect, and everyone hates a liar.
long days sure go a lot quicker if you can have a sense of humour about the little stuff.
Leave yourself a little more room at night. I really like a thousand feet and five miles for a visual approach.
What KAG said.
Add to Cat's remarks. Lets try and support our younger pilots, and encourage them to stand up to shoddy companies. If you hear the "boss" pushing the kids, speak up, in their support.
SMS, with all it's good intentions is not going to save your bacon. That's up to you.
I'll buy the FO coffee, but he still gets the ugly one.
I've beaten this to death in other threads, and taken a beating for it.
C'mon guys! Our safety record speaks for it's self. It's just bloody awful! It's NOT Okay to crash. Accidents should not "happen"! Not at the rate of three to four in a week!
What KAG said.
Add to Cat's remarks. Lets try and support our younger pilots, and encourage them to stand up to shoddy companies. If you hear the "boss" pushing the kids, speak up, in their support.
SMS, with all it's good intentions is not going to save your bacon. That's up to you.
I'll buy the FO coffee, but he still gets the ugly one.
I've beaten this to death in other threads, and taken a beating for it.
C'mon guys! Our safety record speaks for it's self. It's just bloody awful! It's NOT Okay to crash. Accidents should not "happen"! Not at the rate of three to four in a week!
don't fly the airplane, wear It!
there is no such thing as a stupid question, you just feel stupid when you get the answer and should have known it!
fatigue is serious, and no ATIS is not an alarm clock
not getting along with another crew member is more dangerous than flying single pilot. we are all fairly simple, beer and BBQ usually makes me forget a bad day
I agree with the final walk around, the amount of poor abandoned chocks out there, and the poor ramp guys that have to keep making more!
just because he/she is older, wiser, and has more hours, doesn't always make them right. SPEAK UP! it's amazing how many people will try and cover up a bad decision with another!
oh yeah have lots of fun!
V
there is no such thing as a stupid question, you just feel stupid when you get the answer and should have known it!
fatigue is serious, and no ATIS is not an alarm clock
not getting along with another crew member is more dangerous than flying single pilot. we are all fairly simple, beer and BBQ usually makes me forget a bad day
I agree with the final walk around, the amount of poor abandoned chocks out there, and the poor ramp guys that have to keep making more!
just because he/she is older, wiser, and has more hours, doesn't always make them right. SPEAK UP! it's amazing how many people will try and cover up a bad decision with another!
oh yeah have lots of fun!
V
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2milefinal
- Rank 6
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- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:36 pm
Re: Calling all guys with experience
Really good post.KAG wrote:
Thunderstorms - When operating in or near CB’s with no WX radar (storm scopes are shit), if at all possible go under them visually and look for the shafts of rain. Avoid the shafts of rain, and you should have a smooth flight – no guarantees about getting hit by lightning.
.
If you can and your machine is capable you might want to think about going high and then work your way around the t-storms.
If its dark ...get on the ground as soon as you can.
Last edited by 2milefinal on Mon Apr 02, 2007 4:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
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neilaroberts
- Rank 2
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 2:42 pm
Great post.
With reference to the hypothesis that flying "without rules" makes one actually think about what it is they're doing as opposed to blindly following the regs, there is a Dutch traffic engineer by the name of Hans Monderman who has applied that theory to road design. There is an article in this month's Enroute magazine about him (if you get the chance to fly AC and check it out).
Anyway here's another article http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.12/traffic.html
that basically sums up the thesis. Basically, by removing all signs and markings, drivers are forced to concentrate more on what they are doing, therefore operating more safely.
In Canada we get so used to being hand held by the government it all of our decisions that most of society has lost the ability to think critically about everyday decisions. By allowing our societal brains to atrophy to the point of uselessness, we hand over our natural free will to live as we choose. USE YOUR HEAD (or you will lose it).
With reference to the hypothesis that flying "without rules" makes one actually think about what it is they're doing as opposed to blindly following the regs, there is a Dutch traffic engineer by the name of Hans Monderman who has applied that theory to road design. There is an article in this month's Enroute magazine about him (if you get the chance to fly AC and check it out).
Anyway here's another article http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.12/traffic.html
that basically sums up the thesis. Basically, by removing all signs and markings, drivers are forced to concentrate more on what they are doing, therefore operating more safely.
In Canada we get so used to being hand held by the government it all of our decisions that most of society has lost the ability to think critically about everyday decisions. By allowing our societal brains to atrophy to the point of uselessness, we hand over our natural free will to live as we choose. USE YOUR HEAD (or you will lose it).
One small point about this ... any tool, if used improperly, is "shit". If you try to use a pair of pliers as a hammer, you probably will be able to eventually pound a nail in, but it's not the right tool for the job.storm scopes are shit
I have flown with nothing, with stormscope, with weather radar in the nose, and NEXRAD xm satellite wx, and IMHO a stormscope was a million times better than nothing at all. My personal preference is to have them all
Stormscope does not do a very good job of telling you the exact distance from the cell (that's what radar is for) - you get "radial smear". However it does do a very good job of telling you the big picture - something is out there, and quite accurately what direction it is. It won't suck you into a trap like radar, either.
Do NOT attempt to use a stormscope to pick your way through a line - use it to stay away from the bad stuff.
My apologies for the rant, but I get tired of hearing crap like "tailwheel aircraft are shit"
As Doc says "I am sick of accidents"
The following is general and obviously applies to a/c in more remote areas.
This morning I have had occasion to discuss something with another AvCanada member and it brings to light the manner of the company in helping the crews with their flights as well.
-When is the last time you asked the company outright what would
happen in the event of your failure to report on time or exceed ETA? Is
everybody on the ground prepared to swing into immediate action, with
no wasted discussions on comm failures, wx or any other possible reason
why you are not there. Are they prepared to show you that they will act
on your behalf and follow the reporting procedures? The embarrassment
of SAR callout pales in comparison to not following procedure. Is
everybody on the ground up to speed on procedures?
-When is the last time you approached the company about safety concerns
rather than them controlling the agenda in defined safety meetings?
-Why, if they do, do they ask you "Just this one time" and is it acceptable
to be imposing this on you when your mind should clearly be on the job
at hand? That in most cases is the company planning responsibility and
they should not be imposing it on you.
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/en/reports/air/200 ... 3O0341.asp
This accident report is only used to show that the crew had a plan in mind for the snow conditions but didn't carry out the plan befoe T/O.
It also shows that maintenance and TC could have acted by controlling the terms of the Ferry Permit and though it may not have been an contributing factor in this case, it leads to the Human Factors rationale which could have relieved that crew or any facing the situation, from knowingly flying an aircraft which in effect has lost its certificate, and in many cases, possibly unknown to the crew.
Regards
carholme
The following is general and obviously applies to a/c in more remote areas.
This morning I have had occasion to discuss something with another AvCanada member and it brings to light the manner of the company in helping the crews with their flights as well.
-When is the last time you asked the company outright what would
happen in the event of your failure to report on time or exceed ETA? Is
everybody on the ground prepared to swing into immediate action, with
no wasted discussions on comm failures, wx or any other possible reason
why you are not there. Are they prepared to show you that they will act
on your behalf and follow the reporting procedures? The embarrassment
of SAR callout pales in comparison to not following procedure. Is
everybody on the ground up to speed on procedures?
-When is the last time you approached the company about safety concerns
rather than them controlling the agenda in defined safety meetings?
-Why, if they do, do they ask you "Just this one time" and is it acceptable
to be imposing this on you when your mind should clearly be on the job
at hand? That in most cases is the company planning responsibility and
they should not be imposing it on you.
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/en/reports/air/200 ... 3O0341.asp
This accident report is only used to show that the crew had a plan in mind for the snow conditions but didn't carry out the plan befoe T/O.
It also shows that maintenance and TC could have acted by controlling the terms of the Ferry Permit and though it may not have been an contributing factor in this case, it leads to the Human Factors rationale which could have relieved that crew or any facing the situation, from knowingly flying an aircraft which in effect has lost its certificate, and in many cases, possibly unknown to the crew.
Regards
carholme
Don't be afraid to question your captain about anything you don't like/understand. Unless he/she is an ass they should explain.
Fatigue will kill you. You will fly when you're tired, so force yourself to be alert, especially on approach. FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE! Anytime you deviate from what you should be doing you will get into trouble; that is how accidents happen.
Always brief the approach, even if it's visual. Wx can, and does, come down quickly.
Great thread KAG. This one should be a sticky.
Fatigue will kill you. You will fly when you're tired, so force yourself to be alert, especially on approach. FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE! Anytime you deviate from what you should be doing you will get into trouble; that is how accidents happen.
Always brief the approach, even if it's visual. Wx can, and does, come down quickly.
Great thread KAG. This one should be a sticky.
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oldenoughtoknowbetter
- Rank 1
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:51 am
Float drivers:
Follow the water like it's God, especially on TO, landing and low altitude scuddy days. There is usually NO need to drag out over dry ground in most areas. Always assume that the wonderful noise upfront is going silent on you some day and ask yourself - "what now"?? I don't wish it but there's a good chance it'll happen over the time of your carreer.
Check out the water routes on GOOD days at low altitude...it's amazing how handy the perspective will be when you need it.
It's saved my ass and those of my pax on 3 occasions so far.
Follow the water like it's God, especially on TO, landing and low altitude scuddy days. There is usually NO need to drag out over dry ground in most areas. Always assume that the wonderful noise upfront is going silent on you some day and ask yourself - "what now"?? I don't wish it but there's a good chance it'll happen over the time of your carreer.
Check out the water routes on GOOD days at low altitude...it's amazing how handy the perspective will be when you need it.
It's saved my ass and those of my pax on 3 occasions so far.
When you hit light icing, dont wait for the moderate ice before you start thinking on how to get out of it. Definitely agree with the above posts. Don't forget to check your tires on the walk around between legs. They have a tendency to go flat when your not looking. Especially when you are going from warmer temps to extreme cold.
Cheers
Apache
Cheers
Apache
It has been said earlier -- there is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers.
Really learn to listen to that voice inside you. If it doesn't feel right don't do it, it WILL save your life.
Do't fall for peer pressure. Just because somelse is doing something. it doesn't make it right.
Airplanes always birn mre fuel than the POH says they do. Fuel up accordingly.
I got lots more, I just need to wake up, and no coffee for me today I have to in 1/2 hr for knee surgery. I just hope they don't get me mixed up with the guy in for castration:-)
Really learn to listen to that voice inside you. If it doesn't feel right don't do it, it WILL save your life.
Do't fall for peer pressure. Just because somelse is doing something. it doesn't make it right.
Airplanes always birn mre fuel than the POH says they do. Fuel up accordingly.
I got lots more, I just need to wake up, and no coffee for me today I have to in 1/2 hr for knee surgery. I just hope they don't get me mixed up with the guy in for castration:-)
Rule #62 "Don't take yourself so damn seriously"
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arctic navigator
- Rank 3
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 12:16 am
- Location: Where the cold wind blows
Excellent posts guys.
From my limited experience. These are at random and ill probably repeat myself a couple times, but here goes.
Fuel, Altitude, and Airspeed are you friends with few exceptions.
Be proactive rather than reactive with respect to thunder storms and icing. Come up with a game plan on how to deal with whats approaching rather than trying to catch up to what you've already been thru.
Never be afraid or second guess yourself about turning around, going around, or diverting. Your final decision was yours and yours alone to make, and its way way easier to justify that than why the airplane is bent.
Fuel in the truck, runway behind you, and sky above you arent going to help get you out of trouble, and your stacking the odds against you long before any possible situation arises.
Don't randomly do things just because. Fiddling with things and not following set out patterns lead to distractions and things being missed. Have a routine that you do things the same way every time. SOP's or not things do get missed otherwise.
If your not sure about something ASK! If you dont know or arent sure talk to a training captain or the chief pilot or another pilot or your mom or whoever. Don't just go charging out of the gates to discover you've painted yourself in a corner, and if you cant get an answer you like dont go at all.
Watch what the person your flying with is doing. Call them, at appropriate times, on things they're doing. If they can't explain why they're doing it (not necesarily at that instant but after landing and shut down) then they probably shouldnt be doing it in the first place. Everyone is human, everyone makes mistakes and misses things, and thats where experience comes from. Dont just brush off what the person your flying with calls you on. At least consider options and discuss the issue, thats how we all learn.
Just because someone else says they can or will go do a trip doesnt mean you should. Know yourself, your limits, and your machine. At the same time, respect the other persons decision. If your not comfortable or familiar with a destination and dont want to go for that reason and their's someone else that knows what theyre getting themselves into an they want to go, thats fine, but dont take trips that others have turned down just to look like a hero to the boss.
From my limited experience. These are at random and ill probably repeat myself a couple times, but here goes.
Fuel, Altitude, and Airspeed are you friends with few exceptions.
Be proactive rather than reactive with respect to thunder storms and icing. Come up with a game plan on how to deal with whats approaching rather than trying to catch up to what you've already been thru.
Never be afraid or second guess yourself about turning around, going around, or diverting. Your final decision was yours and yours alone to make, and its way way easier to justify that than why the airplane is bent.
Fuel in the truck, runway behind you, and sky above you arent going to help get you out of trouble, and your stacking the odds against you long before any possible situation arises.
Don't randomly do things just because. Fiddling with things and not following set out patterns lead to distractions and things being missed. Have a routine that you do things the same way every time. SOP's or not things do get missed otherwise.
If your not sure about something ASK! If you dont know or arent sure talk to a training captain or the chief pilot or another pilot or your mom or whoever. Don't just go charging out of the gates to discover you've painted yourself in a corner, and if you cant get an answer you like dont go at all.
Watch what the person your flying with is doing. Call them, at appropriate times, on things they're doing. If they can't explain why they're doing it (not necesarily at that instant but after landing and shut down) then they probably shouldnt be doing it in the first place. Everyone is human, everyone makes mistakes and misses things, and thats where experience comes from. Dont just brush off what the person your flying with calls you on. At least consider options and discuss the issue, thats how we all learn.
Just because someone else says they can or will go do a trip doesnt mean you should. Know yourself, your limits, and your machine. At the same time, respect the other persons decision. If your not comfortable or familiar with a destination and dont want to go for that reason and their's someone else that knows what theyre getting themselves into an they want to go, thats fine, but dont take trips that others have turned down just to look like a hero to the boss.
Last edited by arctic navigator on Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
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oldenoughtoknowbetter
- Rank 1
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:51 am
Here is a quote from the co-pilot of the Panam 747 that got sliced in two by KLM 747:
"I think probably the biggest lesson, and I think its something that can never be forgotten, is that this particular pilot, pilots do not cause accidents by choice, I think that's obvious, I think it was a simple case as a gentleman trying to do as good a job as he possibly could and he got in a hurry, and I think anytime that any profession, especially in aviation, it just doesn't pay to get in an extremely big hurry."
Robert Bragg
When I was a real newby (still am) my first boss of a 'real' flying job told me to never be in a hurry. Words to live by.
"I think probably the biggest lesson, and I think its something that can never be forgotten, is that this particular pilot, pilots do not cause accidents by choice, I think that's obvious, I think it was a simple case as a gentleman trying to do as good a job as he possibly could and he got in a hurry, and I think anytime that any profession, especially in aviation, it just doesn't pay to get in an extremely big hurry."
Robert Bragg
When I was a real newby (still am) my first boss of a 'real' flying job told me to never be in a hurry. Words to live by.
If there's one thing that my old man ever taught me, that I'll remember for the rest of my day's, it's this...
"Don't ever tell yourself you 'KNOW' what you're doing.. If you do, it'll kick you in the ass!!!"
Now he told me that pertaining directly to flying, but I remember it with everything I do.
MM
"Don't ever tell yourself you 'KNOW' what you're doing.. If you do, it'll kick you in the ass!!!"
Now he told me that pertaining directly to flying, but I remember it with everything I do.
MM
Nice post KAG,
It is good to see some positive vibes on here every once and a while.
Keep it up!
Neo.
My advice: Don't let the choices of others influence you. Make your own decisions based on the regs, weather, company limits, personal limits etc, and you should be golden.
It is good to see some positive vibes on here every once and a while.
Keep it up!
Neo.
My advice: Don't let the choices of others influence you. Make your own decisions based on the regs, weather, company limits, personal limits etc, and you should be golden.
