Planning and Hazardous Attitudes
Part 2
By Greg Gremminger
A basic tenant of ADM is to always make and have a plan. The plan may be an entire flight plan for a X-country trip, or it may be a simple plan to visit the hangar to check something out. But, always have a plan at least in mind. A plan consists of a mission, of a consideration of what’s involved, of what any risks might be. A plan considers the ENVIRONMENT (wind, terrain, potential weather or darkness, etc.), the PILOT (proficiency, experience, fatigue, concentration, etc.), the AIRCRAFT (airworthiness, fuel, performance, controllability, etc.), and the MISSION (course, purpose, urgency, etc.). The plan should especially evaluate any Risk Factors associated with these elements of the plan. The plan explores “what ifs” and options and alternative plans of action. The plan sets specific milestones or waypoints to be used as decision points - to proceed with the original plan, or revert to an alternate option, or re-evaluate the plan and modify it.
The plan should be prepared when there is adequate time to prepare and thoroughly think through the plan. The plan does not have to be put in writing, but it can be helpful to write down the major goal or purpose of the plan and any major milestones – if only so they stick in your head. A major purpose of a plan is to provide “Red Flag” decision points. At any waypoint or milestone, there is a planned or expected result (over the red barn by 2:30, or 1000 ft before I get to the river). If any milestone is not met, that should activate a “Red Flag” in your mind - the plan isn’t going the way it is supposed to – time to re-evaluate: Do I need to stop for fuel sooner, are the winds stronger than expected, should I continue this flight?
At any point, where a planned happening does not happen, or an unexpected occurrence happens, this “Red Flag” should cause you to re-evaluate the plan from that point, re-evaluate the options from that point, and decide which course of action to pursue. When more than one unexpected issue arises, the re-evaluation should more strongly consider a major change to plans – such as landing or turning back. With good planning, the human being can do a pretty good job of thinking through one surprise issue and still continue to properly attend to the primary task – flying the aircraft! But, when a second or third issue or concern arises, it will be less likely that the human pilot can properly address all the issues and still maintain proper attention to the primary activity. This is when it is time to reduce the risks and take some drastic action – land or return to base or stop for the night – cut the risks! It is no fun flying along with things worrying you and especially when they distract you from your main task.
This example of a plan and the “Red Flags” is easily envisioned when we are talking about a flight plan. But, such plans, maybe less involved plans, should be made for everything you do with aviation. If the plan is to show your gyro in the hangar to a friend, then that is your plan. The plan is not to fly the gyro on that windy day – don’t deviate from your plan unless you have thoroughly thought through a new plan – taking into account the issues of that new mission and any new risk elements that may now be a part of the new plan! When I go to the airport, a first element of my plan is to check the windsock when I drive onto the airport. Then, while still driving to the hangar, check other elements of the environment – airport activity, field and crop conditions, distractions or crowds of people. That’s my plan – if, for some reason, I find I had not able to paid attention to those items of my plan, a “Red Flag” goes up to remind me to re-evaluate the plan – the mission, the environment, what is distracting me, etc. Make a habit of making “Red Flag” milestones for everything you do in aviation.
Hazardous Attitudes
As suggested above, gyro pilots may be more susceptible to hazardous attitudes that might lead to bad or impulsive decisions. We all should objectively assess our own characters and recognize the situations where these hazardous attitudes occur in our own personalities. If you are male, and especially if you are Type A personality – pilots usually are - don’t deceive yourself that you don’t have any of these characteristics – you DO! If you are female, such self-introspection might come easier to you, but check it anyway! As a second check, ask a good friend if you personally might fall prey to any of these hazardous attitudes – your friend or family may be more forthcoming than even yourself, especially if that friend understands it could be a matter of life or death to their friend or loved one!
The FAA ADM program lists five major hazardous attitudes and the antidotes to these:
1. Anti-Authority (don’t tell me what to do!).
This may be a significant attitude of many gyro personalities who dismiss the importance of training, that dismiss valid aerodynamic and physical principles and concerns when venturing into doubtfully safe flight conditions.
• Antidote: Recognize this Red Flag! Follow the rules! Maybe they have a reason!
2. Impulsivity (quick and rash decisions):
Certainly this attitude contributes to too many fatal accidents – the impulsive decision to fly over a long expanse of bad terrain – it will be quicker! An impulsive decision to fly low and closer to someone waving – and hit hidden wires! The impulsive decision to push the envelope because I’ve got an audience that I want to show off for.
• Antidote: Recognize this Red Flag! Not so fast, think first! Make a plan.
3. Macho (I’m good, I can do it, and I’ll look good!):
This attitude is probably also rampant among gyro fliers! I’m better than the other guy. And, besides I can impress people!
• Antidote: Recognize this Red Flag! Taking chances is foolish! Accidents don’t impress anyone! Making good decisions is impressive!
4. Invulnerability (it won’t happen to me!):
Another probably common trait among the self-sufficient gyro personality. Look around, some pretty bad things have happened to people who are even better than me!
• Antidote: Recognize this Red Flag! I’m not special; it CAN happen to me too!
5. Resignation (what’s the use):
My time will come when it is supposed to – I can’t stop that! If something happens, it’s a matter of fate – I can’t change that! This may not apply so much to us more macho types, but ladies, don’t ever stop trying to remedy a “Red Flag” situation.
• Antidote: Recognize this Red Flag! Don’t give up. I’m not helpless. I can make a difference.
I’d like to add a couple of other hazardous persuasions that might apply more specifically to gyro people:
6. Confused (Who’s right? Since I don’t know, I won’t worry about it!):
There is far too much controversy and confusing debate over the root causes of fatal accidents. Those new to the sport are confused by all the different opinions from seemingly experienced and responsible people. Too often we hear people say they can’t tell who is right and who is wrong, so “I won’t worry about it!”
• Antidote: Recognize this Red Flag! Worry about it! Ask more questions, read more technical articles and discussions. Review and learn from accidents. Check your conclusions with more people. Don’t dismiss any expressed concerns without thorough investigation to your knowledgeable satisfaction. Review the evidence and the accident reports. Take everything you hear or read with a grain of salt – don’t let anyone make your decisions for you! Listen a bit more to those who say “worry,” and a bit less to those who say “don’t worry”!
7. Get there itis (got to get there!):
This is a common pilot persuasion that leads to poor decisions to continue or proceed with a flight or activity. Getting there in time should never be part of any aviation decision. “get there itis” leads directly to higher airspeeds in perhaps deteriorating conditions.
• Antidote: Recognize this Red Flag! Decide between whether it is important to get there now, or important to get there EVER! That should be a clear choice!
8. Peer Pressure (allowing someone else to make my decisions for me):
Who has the proper tools to make this life or death decision? Who do you want to make this important decision for you? It shouldn’t be someone else who doesn’t have the tools or the investment.
• Antidote: Recognize this Red Flag! Get yourself and your mind away from that pressure, and make the proper decision yourself.
The recognition or mere hint of any of these attitudes or persuasions in yourself should be a definite “Red Flag” in your brain - to stop and reevaluate – to apply the antidote and make a new, well thought out plan and decision. If you recognize any of these hazardous attitudes, or even the hint of any of these hazardous attitudes in a friend or family member, the best favor you could ever do for them is to help them understand their possible susceptibility to that hazard. This is not a time to feed their macho or over-confidence. This is the time to perhaps say “I Love You” and I care about your safety. If a friend brings any concern to your attention, say “Thank you,” and take time to consider their advice thoroughly. They care for your safety and they didn’t approach a perhaps difficult topic lightly.
