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When I catch it, I say, “Over 18,000 and still VFR” to which the PF mutters a four-letter word, promptly reduces power and pitches down. By the time I actually have Anchorage Center on the frequency and in radar contact, we are at 17,990 feet and perfectly legal. The controller says nothing and our passengers in the back do not complain about their slight sense of weightless- ness. But both of the guys in the front seat remember. We made a mistake.
I also occasionally make mistakes on the ground.
I am pre-f lighting a Robinson R44 helicopter. As I check the oil via the 4-inch by 6-inch hinged hatch on the left side, secured by two dzus fasten- ers, the wind cranks up and starts moving the main rotor blades in a fashion that catches my eye. I watch this for a minute or two wondering if I should get out the tie-down straps. But then the wind calms down and the motion stops. So, I continue my pref light around the helicopter and
soon start the engine and fly away.
I land a half-hour later at the FBO for fuel, only to notice that the oil access door on the left side is still open. When the main rotor blade movement had diverted my attention, I forgot to se- cure the little door with the fasteners. No harm was done, but to an obsessive perfectionist like myself, mistakes like this are not supposed to happen. In the large scheme of things, these were all just “small” mistakes. None resulted in any damage to the aircraft, discomfort to the passengers, filed FAR violations or for that matter, much comment from air traffic control or anyone else. I have been flying long enough to know that distractions can lead to errors. Even knowing that fact, it was distractions that led to most of
the above problems.
This bothers me (and most other
pilots) more than the circumstances or actual events would justify, but at the same time, the nearly obsessive and perfectionistic mindset is what
makes us good pilots. I think the idea is if you are bothered even by your small mistakes, it is much less likely you will make a big one.
After more than 40 years and 11,000 hours, I have never had an accident, damaged an airplane, hurt a passenger or received a FAR violation. Somehow for pilots, a little compulsive and per- fectionistic mental pathology can work in our favor.
Kevin Ware is an ATP who also holds CFI, MEII and heli- copter ratings, has more than 10,000 hours and is typed in several different business jets. He
has been flying for a living on and off since he was 20, and currently works as a contract pilot for various corporations in the Seattle area. When not working as a pilot he is employed part time as an emergency and urgent care physician. He can be reached at kevin.ware2@aol.com.
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Glacier Jet Center
Jet Journal April 2019 / TWIN & TURBINE • 33