July, 1997

PILOT JUDGMENT/SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

By Jim Kincaid, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner

Quite possibly one of the most talked about subjects in aviation is "Pilot Judgment." It has been foremost on my mind since losing a close friend in a recent aircraft accident. I am grateful for the opportunity to share a few of my thoughts on the subject and to compare pilot judgment with situational awareness.

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. Work toward a new rating, study for your flight review, attend safety meetings, work toward your next level of FAA 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 better you 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 your flight...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." Always know your 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 I?
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...!!!

SAFETY SEMINARS

REMINDER: There will be no safety seminar in July and August. Enjoy your summer!

THUNDERBIRDS WILL PERFORM
WAIKIKI BEACH ON JULY 4, 1997, 1:45 P.M.

QUOTE FOR THE MONTH

A superior pilot is one who stays out of trouble by using Superior judgment to avoid situations which might require the use of Superior skill.

THE SAFETY BEAT WITH TWEET

Q. I have a commercial certificate with instrument rating; now I take an ATP check ride and pass. Will my certificate have to have commercial privileges with instrument rating on?

A. No, the instrument rating is not carried forward at the commercial level unless the ATP practical tests were for visual flight rules (VFR) privileges only or the instrument rating privileges are in another category; for example, instrument-airplane or instrument-helicopter.

WINGS PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM

PHASE I

Kenneth Bellisle

Elias Damo

Richard Kozacik

PHASE IV

Phillip Olsen

PHASE VIII

Clyde Furushima

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