Learning from Aviation

tA little clarification on what I meant through my last post.

My main point is that we can learn a lot from believing that the pilot operated within the full extent of his experience. And to do that may scare you if you really think about it. I imagine that I am the pilot in that Q400. If I am operating at the top of my game, I assume that I would not be anywhere near the experience level of the captain.

So I ask myself, how is it possible that I would have made the right action (as many people are quick to say they would have) when this crew did not?

That's the way I analyze every accident I read, and its the way I approach everyone in aviation. Assume that they have more experience than you, make better decisions than you, and think faster than you. Even with people who have less flight time. It will serve you well and you will never stop learning. Being a student to aviation is more than just reading lots of books and listening to your CFI. You gain knowledge through EVERYONE, including the kid that just took his first intro flight.

Flying is a wonderful craft that provides endless learning. You just have to know how to use every resource available. It's sad that accidents are part of the resource, but it is true. There are just too many people who look at an accident analysis, read "pilot error", and disregard by saying they wouldn't have made the same mistake. At that point, we turn away from learning, and our attitude becomes nothing more than pride before the fall.

Fly safe everyone

Quick to Point Fingers at 3407

I've been following the investigation of Colgan 3407 as close as is practicable.

I have friends at Colgan and they all knew the crew closely, and said they were excellent people and pilots.

It makes me sick to read some articles and forums around the internet that are already attacking the crew's performance. Long story short, no one knows what happened in that cockpit in the final moments. What I do know is that they did their best to overcome an emergency, and simply lost the battle. Sure there is probably an error chain that could have been broken at any time, but none of us is in a position to criticize their actions.

To anyone that is just entering the profession, I believe that we can do nothing more but support fellow pilots until facts prove us otherwise.

It is easy to point the finger and say we could have done it better. But we all could improve both ourselves and our profession if we believe that the pilots did their very best, and used the actual facts to prevent further accidents.

Lagniappe

Still been kickin' it old school here in Ruston. Its not a bad place to be during the winter. Sometimes a little cold, sometimes a little boring, but for the most part its nice.

In the good news section of things, I was able to swing at least a temporary gig flying a Bonanza. That lasted a whole one flight so far, but if the guy needs to make more trips, I'm apparently on the call list. That's not a bad deal, but I'm still looking for a full time job. After applying to all the flight schools between here and Monroe, I've got two people that want to hire me but can't because of finances. Somehow I figured North Louisiana for being a bit more insulated from the recession...

So anyway, I've actually been doing a lot of thinking about a possible exit from the career. Scary I know. Its a hard thing to put so much time and effort into one thing (about 6 years and untold $$ for me) and then think about changing completely.

But so far my plan is to stay here and polish up this graduate degree, as that's the most important backup plan I can have. At the end of the final quarter here, which should be either November or March, I'll see what aviation holds for me, and if I can get in at a decent regional or freight operation, I'll try it one more time. If nothing's open, I'll probably make my move to bigger and better things.

Don't get me wrong, I do love flying, but I REALLY hate this industry. And flying straight and level across the country was never really my cup of tea anyway. I'd much prefer to be spinning or stalling or rolling. Anyway...

Headed down to New Orleans this weekend to check out one of my favorite bands, Old Crow Medicine Show. Check them out. They're a pretty good band, and I've always wanted to see them. Thanks to the redhead for buying me tickets.

Fly safe in your neck of the woods.

Furloughed

Man I wish I would keep up with this blog.

New years resolution: Keep up with this blog.

Anyway. I got furloughed in the Airnet cuts of October '08. Yay, sob, boohoo, life sucks, etc. etc.

Instead of doing all that I decided to be proactive and head back to Ruston for graduate school. Nothing has taught me more this summer than have a backup plan in this business.

I'm currently a full time grad student and a part time instructor on the freelance side. I am not doing a terrible amount of flying, but I'm a little dejected at the moment. Graduate school is engaging, and I like that.

Promise to update more frequently.

Freight Puppin'

Well. Made it through training.

I passed last week and got shipped out to the midwest on about a 5 hour nightly run as an SIC.

One week down

So training has been tough. Today is our first day off in 8 days, and what a stressful 8 days it has been.

The class is great, informative, and casual. However, every day there were small quizzes which required an 80% to pass. Knowing you had to study for those things every night was stressful. Then, on Saturday we had the last class before the giant 80 question indoc test and got off a little earlier so we could maximize our study time.

That night, we all took about an hour or two off and began studying. We started at about 9 PM and went until 3AM. Needless to say, we busted our ass.

But we passed! Everyone scored above 92% and that felt pretty good. Apparently no class has done that well in 2 years. So we are pretty excited and went out last night. Food, strip club, etc. bad things.

Anyway... Sims start tomorrow and they are going to be rough. But i think it won't be as stressful as the ground session. We'll see... only 3 weeks left until I'm freight doggin it.

Training

Training starts today! After 16 long hours of driving yesterday and Saturday, I'm finally here and ready to roll with the first day. Its exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. All the guys that I've met so far are real nice and the accommodations are good. Two of my old college buddies are still in the city so we hung out for a little while last night. It was good seeing some familiar faces.

Well.. 2 hours till I crank it up. It feels so good to be employed right now!