by Dale Nielsen
Tough question. If you have to ask it during an emergency, you’re
in real trouble. Flying is generally a safe pastime, far safer t we
should do them in the prescribed order. A thorough understanding of a
procedure will help us remember the procedure for a lot longer than we
would if we just memorized the procedure.
We must know which emergencies require us to react immediately, and
which we have some time to think about. It is advisable to consult the
checklist for the ones that do not require immediate action. If we
only have to memorize a few checklists, we will likely look at them
more often and we will remember them longer.
Any time we do have to deal with an emergency by memory, we should
follow up by consulting the written checklist if there is time to do
so to confirm we have done everything that can be done.
Because flying is safer than driving and we fly because it is fun, we
tend to forget about the serious side of flying, and we forget to keep
up with our emergency procedures. Emergency situations always catch us
by surprise. We must always be aware that an emergency can happen, and
we must be prepared to be able to handle it when it does happen. The
confidence that comes from being prepared will help us enjoy the
greatest hobby in the world even more.
Dale Nielsen is an ex-Armed Forces pilot, charter pilot and air service operator. He freelances as a corporate pilot and Class 1 flying instructor from his home in Winlaw, B.C.
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