by Susan Parson, FAA Safety Briefing

Pilot pride can sometimes interfere with good judgment and good decisions, especially if passengers are involved. Pilots don’t want to appear dumb. We don’t want to be (or appear to be) cowards. We don’t want to disappoint passengers who have agreed — some grudgingly — to put their lives in our hands. We don’t want to be (or appear to be) incapable, unable, or unworthy.

Flying companions can do a lot to help a proud pilot make the right decision. In this mitigation-focused section, we’ll start with the big picture and then look at several specific areas.

Take It Step by Step

Today’s pilot certification requirements include risk management. There are many practical risk management methods around, but PAVE is one of the easiest tools for hazard identification.

Pilot/People:

This item reminds the pilot to review readiness for the flight in terms of total experience, recent experience, proficiency, and legal requirements as well as physical and emotional condition. A pilot’s partner or friend can be especially helpful in this area, because who is better situated to know when something isn’t right?

Aircraft:

This item addresses fuel/fuel reserves, mechanical condition, and aircraft performance for day-of-flight conditions. It includes the pilot’s level of experience in the type of aircraft, as well as assessment of the airplane’s suitability for the type of flight to be made.

enVironment:

The V element covers things like airport and runway conditions, airport lighting, terrain, obstacles, and airspace restrictions. It also includes weather. Some pilots are qualified to fly only under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), when the weather is good. But even a pilot qualified for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) cannot, and should not, attempt to fly in all weather conditions. No GA airplane can safely operate in thunderstorms or severe icing conditions.

External Pressures:

Passengers eager for a trip and people waiting at the destination are External Pressures that can adversely impact pilot judgment. A flying companion can help by asking about PAVE hazards for this flight. It is also helpful to actively assist with plans for a possible delay or diversion. Passengers prepared for these eventualities make it much easier for the pilot to make a “no go” decision when conditions so require.

Build A Buffer Zone

One of the most useful things a pilot can do in aviation safety risk management is to develop personal minimums. I think of personal minimums as the human factors equivalent of reserve fuel. Personal minimums serve a solid safety buffer between the skills and aircraft performance required for a specific flight, and the skills and aircraft performance available.

If your pilot doesn’t have written personal minimums, check out “Getting the Maximum from Personal Minimums” (May/June 2006 issue) and encourage him or her to build a personal safety buffer. Once that is in place, a flying companion can contribute by asking the pilot to verify that a proposed flight is consistent with personal minimums. Everybody wins. Personal minimums increase the passenger’s comfort and confidence while making it easier for the pilot to make sound decisions.