Interpersonal Development, Extroversion Style BarbaraHarper
Barbara Harper, ATP CFII MEI LRJet

THE 3, 2, 1’s of Safety

I’m sure you have noted that the sequence is out of order, and intentionally so to get your attention to read again about aviation safety! Nowadays, we pilots are flooded with articles, publications, and networks on how to be cognizant of safety. The FAAs motto is Safer Skies through Education. So, how many of this piloting culture go to their website FAASafety.gov? There is quite a bit of information available, plus it links one to all kinds of interesting subjects or situations. Their magazine, FAA Safety Briefing is chock full of pilot information.

Number 3 in safety I believe is proficiency.  This relates to skills and competency. In other words, skill means are you current in flying, more than the required three takeoffs and landings. Competency means you understand what is happening in aircraft performance and your performance. Above all, do you have pilot awareness?

Number 2 in safety is experience. This can mean personal participation in a fly out or training. As we have seen, knowing the ropes of flying through all the different airspace types using your best communication and navigation skills.

Number 1 in safety is knowledge. This can mean facts, data, and intelligence of your held certificate, aircraft, airspace, communication, and airports.  Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are considered the pinnacles of knowledge. The foundation for knowledge in aviation is the FARs and AIM.  

The Pilot Lounge

Pilots like to share experiences with other pilots in their hangers or at the local pilot’s lounge. They also like to fly to airports that have a restaurant, and if not, a pilots lounge with amenities such as a restroom, computers, and possibly a vending machine.  Most of the public airports in Arizona, large and small, have a lounge to accommodate these needs.  Many small airports like Bisbee, Douglas-Bisbee, Benson and Sierra Vista have lounges, as well as larger airports such as Sky Harbor, Gateway, Chandler, Goodyear, Deer Valley, and Falcon. The general aviation lounge for Tucson is located 15 miles away at Ryan Airfield because the airport authority eliminated the Executive Terminal at TUS which housed the lounge. Independently, there is Millionaire, Atlantic, Jet Center, Premier, and Double Eagle who provide services at Tucson International, some which charge for parking if not purchasing.

Large and small public airports receive most of their revenue, if it applies, from concessions, landing fees, ground and parking transportation fees, fuel, and leases such as hangers, buildings, and land use.  General Aviation accounts for the majority of the airports total aircraft operations (takeoff and landings).  Their needs, valued activities, and well-being of pilots are a must in general aviation. This is somewhat called human relations responsibilities. General Aviation is a commodity that is shareable.

 

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