PILOT JUDGMENT/SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

By: Jim Kincaid
FAA Designated Pilot Examiner

What is Pilot Judgment?

It is the process of recognizing and analyzing all available information about oneself, the aircraft, and the flying environment. This is followed by a rational evaluation of the alternatives to implement a timely, appropriate, decision.

What is Situational Awareness?

The accurate perception of all the conditions and factors that affect the aircraft and crew during any specific period of time, or more simply put, knowing what's going on around you.

Most likely the first thought we have when we hear of an aircraft accident is: Why did he do that? That was poor judgment." But, if you will analyze the information as it becomes available, you may find that, in many cases, it really wasn't poor judgment that caused the accident, so much as simply a loss of situational awareness. That is, the pilot may have had a perfectly comfortable feeling and not a question in mind as to his or her position. In other words, a person can be lost ] and not realize it. This is probably the worst situation in which any pilot can be.

We all know what to do if we become lost or disorientated, and will probably use good pilot judgment in this case, but if we still have that warm, secure feeling in spite of the rising terrain, the outcome may be fatal.

In the past few years, I have been asked by the FAA to give remedial instruction to several pilots whose violations ranged from airspace violation to fuel starvation. In all of these cases the pilots were well educated and experienced. To a person, they were willing participants in the program. I found the common thread that bound each to the other to be very simply LOSS OF SITUATION AWARENESS.

Good situational awareness skills are a must for safe flight. This can be best accomplished by keeping up with the ever changing world of aviation and specifically, with your flight training. Worktowarda new rating, studyforyour flight review, attend safety meetings, work toward your next level of FM Safety Wings. In short, be involved in aviation. Not just the few times a year you are actually in flight; but constantly. Become aware of all the services available to you, then use them. The better you know and understand the environment, the betteryou will be at maintaining "situational awareness."

When I first started flying I remember my first employer, Ma Woods, one of the original 99 and the lady who outmaneuvered the Zero in Honolulu, during the attack on Pearl Harbor, saying: "Plan yourflight...Fly your plan." These are words to live by. "Plan your flight." If your planning skills are weak, you are on your way to the scene of an accident! Practice, practice, practice flight planning. Plan EVERY flight. "Fly your plan." Alwaysknowyour position. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Too simple! Yet it could have saved many lives. It is not enough to say: "I am right here" and put your finger on the chart. You must prove to yourself that you are indeed HERE Have more than one way to prove your position. Look for several landmarks to prove to yourself that, this, is in fact where I am.

Always be able to answer these three questions:
1. Where am l?
2. Where am I going?
3. What will I do when I get there?

If at any time you can't answer even one of these... you have lost "SITUATIONAL AWARENESS?" If you don't regain it immediately you may find yourself on the list of statistics that prompt articles like this.

As a parting thought: the PIC is NEVER fun flying. How many times have you heard a new pilot say: "From now on I'm just going to fly for fun! Please remember, 91.3 gives you the "authority to act as Pilot in Command, but with it comes the awesome RESPONSIBILITY of Pilot in Command. FAR 1.1 defines it as being the pilot who is responsible for the safety of the flight. So, while all the other occupants of the aircraft may be "fun flying," You, as PIC, are always responsible for their safety.

Keep always aware, and remember, the next accident that DOESN'T HAPPEN COULD BE YOURS....!

Editors note: I would like to apologize for the late delivery of the Septembernewsletter. The newsletters were shipped late out of Oklahoma city due to illness in our processing center. We understand how important the newsletters are to you and will strive to ensure that they arrive on time.

Chuck Hicks, Jr.
Manager, Aviation Safety Program

1 (800) WX BRIEF (THAT'S 1 -800-992-7433)

You many contact your nearest Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) regarding meetings or safety issues at the following numbers:

Las Vegas (LAS) Paul Joly. (702) 388-6482
Reno (RNO) Richard Angelo. (702) 784-5321
Scottsdale (SDL) Jack Christopherson. (602) 640-2433

BAKERSFIELD
Of Weather; METAR & TAF with NWS Meteorologist Dan Gudgel.
Weather; METAR & TAF: NWS Meteorologist Dan Gudgel, Aviation Safety Counselor, will address the most sweeping change in the presentation of weather products and services since the demise of the telegraph key as a primary means of communication.
Date: November 2 - 7:00pm - Thursday
Location: S&S Flight Center,410 E. Planz Road, Bakersfield Muni
Sponsor: S&S Flight Center and the National Weather Service
Contact: Richard D. Hague - (209) 487-5306 or call 1 800-WXBRIEF- #*315.

http:/ /www.armory.com/norcal

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
COMPUTERS IN AVIATION - the PC approach - with Karen Toland, proprietor, Diamond Aviation
DATE: November 4 - 10:00am to 12:00pm Saturday
LOCATION: Diamond Aviation, 620 Airport Drive, #1, San Carlos, CA
SPONSORS: Diamond Aviation
CONTACT: Karen Toland (415) 591-7611, Jack Hocker (408) 291 -7681 extn.113 or call 1-800-WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information

http:// www.armory.com/norcal
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
FIRST FLIGHT certification and flight testing of homebuilt aircraft - with Reigh Graniund, Aviation Safety Inspector - Airworthiness, San Jose FSDO
DATE: November 7 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm Tuesday
LOCATION: TransAir, San Carlos, CA
SPONSOR: TransAir
CONTACT: Marc Soper, or, Linda Flynn (415) 5927804, Jack Hocker (408) 291 -7681 x 113, or call 1 800-WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/norcal
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

PALO ALTO AIRPORT
ONE EYE OR TWO? How many are needed to fly? with Dr. James Simon, Senior FM Aviation Medical Examiner and medical consultant to Oakland Air Traffic Control Center, Fremont Ca
DATE: November 8 7:00pm to 8:30 Wednesday
LOCATION: WestValley Flying Club,1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100 Palo Alto Airport
SPONSOR: West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club (415) 856 2030, Jack Hocker (408) 291 -7681 x113 or call 1 800-WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/norcal

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
WEATHER SERVICES with speaker to be announced at a later date
DATE: November 9 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm - Thursday
LOCATION: Trade Winds Aviation (West side ofairport),1144 Coleman Ave.
SPONSOR: Trade Winds Aviation
CONTACT: Frank Stummeyer, or, Dave Finn (408) 298-9161, Jack Hocker (408) 291-7681 x 113 or call 1 -800 WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/norcal

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
COCKPIT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - with a different twist - with Michael McIntyre, Chief Instructor, Squadron #2 Flying Club
DATE: November 16 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm Thursday
LOCATION: General Aviation Terminal Building (Southeast end of airport)
SPONSORS: Squadron 2 Flying Club, and Pacific Aero Sales
CONTACT: Mike Mcintyre (408) 275-0300, or (408) 925-9680, Jack Hocker (408) 291 -7681 x113, or call 1 -800-WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/norcal

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Safety Seminar. AIRCRAFT SURFACE MOVEMENT - What every pilot should know about airport markings, lighting and signs, - with Dave Pecota, San Jose International Airport Operations Superintendent
DATE: November 21 - 7:00pm, Tuesday
LOCATION: Large Conference Room, Terminal C, near Gate #9
SPONSOR: San Jose International Airport
CONTACT: Dave Pecota (408) 277-3779 or, Jack Hocker (408) 291 -7681 extn.113 or call 1 -800 WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/norcal/

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
SCUD RUNNING - Fatal attraction to the highly invisible - with Karisa Schril, staff CFI, American Flyers - San Jose
DATE: November 28 - 6:30pm to 8:30pm Tuesday
LOCATION: American Flyers ground training facility, San Jose Jet Center, 1250 Aviation Avenue, Suite #190,
SPONSORS: American Flyers
CONTACT: John Murphy or Fred Abrams (408) 2972123, Jack Hocker (408) 291-7681 x113, or call 1 800-WXBRIEF-#*315
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/norcal

WATSONVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Airport Safety Committee meeting, NON-TOWERED AIRPORT OPERATIONS with Don French, Watsonville Municipal Airport Manager and San Jose FSDO Aviation Safety Counselor (ASC).
DATE: November 29 - 4:00pm - Wednesday
LOCATION: Fire Station #2,370 Airport Blvd., Watsonville (on airport)
SPONSOR: Watsonville Municipal Airport
CONTACT: Don French (408) 728-6075 or, Jack Hocker (408) 291 -7681 extn.113, or call 1 -800 WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/norcal

SALINAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Safety Seminar, MY JOB, YOUR JOB, OUR JOB - How airport action groups improve airport safety - with Jim Chappell, Salinas Municipal Airport Manager and San Jose FSDO Aviation Safety Counselor (ASC)
DATE: December 1 - 8:30am - Friday
LOCATION: Restaurant Banquet Room, Salinas Municipal Airport Terminal
SPONSOR: Salinas Municipal Airport
CONTACT: Jim Chappell (408) 758-7214 or, Jack Hocker (408) 291 -7681 extn. 113, or call 1 -800-WXBRIEF#*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/norcal

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
COLD WEATHER FLYING A Pilots Guide, with Larry Shapiro, partner, Lawrence and Jorgenson Aircraft sales and San Jose FSDO Aviation Safety Counselor (ASC)
DATE: December 2 - 10:00am to 12:00pm Saturday
LOCATION: Diamond Aviation, 620 Airport Drive, #1, San Cargos, CA
SPONSORS: Diamond Aviation
CONTACT: Karen Toland (415) 591-7611, Jack Hocker (408) 291- 7681 extn.113, or call 1-800-WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information

http:/ /www.armory.com/norcal
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
PILOT PREROGATIVES Pilots always have a lot of decisions to make. With the IFR season upon us, even more decisions have to be made. What are these decisions? - with Cameron Rolfe, Staff CFI helicopters, TransAir
DATE: December 5 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm Tuesday
LOCATION: Trans Air, San Carlos, CA
SPONSOR: TransAir
CONTACT: Marc Soper, or, Linda Flynn (415) 592- 7804, Jack Hocker (408) 291 -7681 x 113, or call 1 800-WXBRIEF- #*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/ norcal
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

SAN LUIS OBISPO AIRPORT
CFI JAM SESSION - The flight instructor is there to protect the student from going too far. But who watches over the instructor? DANGEROUS MISTAKES. - with local Pilot Examiners, Chet Waite and Alan Yecny and Jack Hocker, San Jose FSDO Safety Program Manager (SPM), will give CFI participants some insights on ways to avoid hazardous flight training situations.
DATE: December 12 - 6:30pm to 8:30pm Tuesday
LOCATION: American Eagle, Wings West Airlines Training Hangar, Room 7 (3rd Floor), San Luis Obispo County Airport
SPONSORS: San Jose FSDO Aviation Safety Program and The contributors to the SLO-FAA Safety Program Fund
CONTACT: Patrick Duncan (805) 4669725, Alan Yecny (805) 541-1038 or, Jack Hocker (408) 291 -7681 extn 113, or call 1 -800 WXBRIEF- #*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/ norcal

SAN LUIS OBISPO AREA
SCUD RUNNING - Fatal attraction to the highly invisible, - with Jack Hocker, Safety Program Manager, San Jose FSDO
DATE: December 13 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm Wednesday
LOCATION: Laguna Middle School Auditorium, 11050 Los Osos Valley Road, San Luis Obispo
SPONSORS: San Jose FSDO Aviation Safety Program and The contributors to the SLO-FM Safety Program Fund
CONTACT: Patrick Duncan (805)466-9725, Alan Yecny (805) 541 -1038 or, Jack Hocker (408) 2917681 extn 113, or call 1800-WXBRIEF- #*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/ norcal

PALO ALTO AIRPORT
- REPEATED BY POPULAR DEMAND -
THE COMMON WAYS OF FAILING A CHECKRIDE - with Gary L Twitty, San Jose FSDO Aviation Safety Counselor(ASC), Pilot Examiner and proud holder of the Phase II Wings Award
DATE: December 13 - 7:00pm to 8:30 Wednesday
LOCATION: West Valley Flying Club,1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100 Palo Alto Airport
SPONSOR: West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club (415) 856-2030, Jack Hocker (408) 291-7681 x113, or call 1 -800 WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/norcal

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
MEDICAL FACTS FOR PILOTS - with Charles Gianaris, M.D., CFI, Aviation Safety Program Booster, San Jose FSDO Aviation Safety Counselor and proud holder of the Phase III Wings Award
DATE: December 14 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm Thursday
LOCATION: Trade Winds Aviation (West side of airport),1144 Coleman Ave.
SPONSOR: Trade Winds Aviation
CONTACT: Frank Stummeyer, or, Dave Finn (408) 298-9161, Jack Hocker (408) 291-7681 x 113, or call 1 -800 WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information

http://www.armory.com/norcal

Wings Program

OAK FSDO

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PHASE I
Katharine Kelley
Steven Kennedy
Mahboud Zabetian
Kevin Elliott

PHASE II
Donald Keller
Jasmin Glass-Henry

PHASE III
Wayne Fields

PHASE IV
Ivor Ankunding

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SJC FSDO

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PHASE I
Daniel T. Amend
Teresa Bubb
Michael J. Dever
Roger Dunn
David L. Iverson
Michael F. O'Brien
Benjamin Mendelsohn
Lawrence Michaels
Shamim P. Mohamed
Newell T. Partch
Lawrence C. Reed
Leo W. Rowley
Gregg Westerbeck
Russell E. Whitaker
Leslie Young

PHASE II
Kenneth G.Chambers
Vance Cochrane
Anthony Costanza
William G. Foster
Joseph L. Horta
Vikas Kapur
Louise Kirby Minniear
Richard B. Palmer
Thomas R. Schramm
Martha A. Smith
William E. Smith
Donald Scott Wedge
Theodore R. Zitnay

PHASE III
Ronald D. Berger
Larry L. Lawson
Mark Schrick
Martin Lewis Shapiro
Alma I. Silverthorn

PHASE IV
Charkes V. Blair
Richard Grialou
Shirley G. Hughes
Mark Schrick
Bryan M. Shieman

PHASE V
Paul W. Bell

PHASE VI
Thomas F. Christian

PHASE VII
Pat Chan
Elizabeth Dinan

PHASE VIII
Thomas John March

PHASE IX
Urio Bertelli

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FAT FSDO

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PHASE I
John Ballantyne
James Nawrocki
Walter Porr

PHASE II
Trina Anderson
Annabelle Brack
Della DeArman

PHASE III
Paul Masse

PHASE IV
Edward Peterson

PHASE V
John Durell
John Niemeyer
Larry Paquette

PHASE VII
Clarence Hunt

PHASE VIII
Franklin Brown
Joseph Mendonca

NORCAL
Aviation Review

This newsletter is published monthly by the Aviation Safety Program of the Department of Transportation, Federal AviationAdministration, Westem-Pacific Region. Notices are also contributed by the Air Traffic Control branch of the FAA.

Your comments and suggestions regarding this newsletter are welcomed. Please send them to: FM Regional Aviation Safety Program Manager, AWP-204, RO. Box 92007, World Way Postal Center, Los Angeles, CA 90009

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