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form of risk management is perfect. But we can apply good judgment to remove the low-hanging fruit that represents risk threats that can be easily mitigated. In my opinion, this pilot stacked up a considerable number of unnecessary and needless risks for a flight with limited training value. From our viewpoint, the risk did not seem commensurate with the reward. Apparently the pilot weighed it differently.
My husband and I have a pact that we won’t fly a single- engine piston in IFR at night. Could we? Of course, but we won’t. For us, the risk is not proportionate to the reward, no matter how alluring that reward might be. Losing our single source of thrust in the dark and in clouds gives us fewer options to prevent a bad outcome and presents a risk that far outweighs any benefit.
Another unbendable rule is always have an out. It is a conscious effort to ensure there is at least one course of action toward a safe outcome should things go south. For example:
You’re in a single-engine turboprop at FL190 and have an engine failure. What’s your out?
Departing a mountainous airport, you’ve been de-iced with Type 1 fluid and you’re number 3 for the runway with everyone awaiting ATC clearance. You’re now five minutes from your de-ice hold-over time expiring. What’s your out?
You are approaching a frontal system with fast-developing convection. What’s your out?
You’re shooting an approach to an uncontrolled field with the weather at minimums and at night. What’s your out?
Flying is all about evaluating and mitigating risks – knowing that eliminating all risks isn’t necessarily unattainable. We also each have a different approach to the risk-reward analysis. But we have the responsibility to those who fly with us to do all we can to tip odds in our favor as much as possible.
As for our Cessna 182 pilot flying that fateful October night, we don’t know how he or she viewed the risks. If training was the goal, could there have been a less risky opportunity to gain the experience desired that would have lowered the risk meter? Managing risk is a personal exercise where your experience, judgment, and training influence your decisions in the cockpit. But it all starts with naming, evaluating, and planning for the threats to safety – while you are still on the ground and well before the engine start.
Stay hungry for safety.
Dianne White is the executive director of MMOPA and editor of MMOPA Magazine. For a total of 14 years, she was editor of Twin & Turbine and has worked in the business aviation industry for nearly 30 years. She also serves on the board of directors for Angel Flight Central. An active multi-engine, instrument-rated pilot, Dianne lives in the Kansas City area and can be reached at editor@diannewhite.com.
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March 2021 / TWIN & TURBINE • 5