On the Spur of the Moment

Juliana Torchetti Coppick jutorchetti@yahoo.com.br

During our career as aviators, there are several training sessions available that can prepare us for moments we hope to never experience. I believe one of the most feared situations by an aviator is fire in the cabin, but many more can occur, which is why all aircraft operating manuals have an entire section dedicated to emergencies.

Do a self-analysis and ask, “How much time have I spent learning my aircraft’s emergency procedures?”

Every emergency, when it happens, requires very accurate mental conditioning and situational awareness. Usually, what we do repeatedly becomes a habit and consequently our reactions are almost automatic. That is the big problem with emergency procedures; they are not part of our routine! But, they should be!

For those who have never witnessed, it seems funny to see a newly hired airline pilot prepare for simulator training. The airline company usually provides a large paper instrument panel, so the novice can train at home familiarizing himself with the switches, controls and instruments of the aircraft. The aviator spends a few hours sitting and talking to himself, repeating checklist procedures and sequences. Anyone watching from a distance has the impression of a monk chanting mantras and doing a strange dance with his hands.

After a few days of training on this paper plane, the pilot will have access to the flight simulator, which will give him a sensation very close to real flight. Of course, we cannot compare this type training with ag-aviation because of the nature of operations are different and the preparation will also be different.

What I want to emphasize is the importance of verbal, physical and mental repetition of procedures that we hope to never use. If we don’t, we will really wish we had “rehearsed” beforehand.

Unfortunately, in agricultural aviation we do not undergo emergency procedures training periodically, so it is easy to settle down and let our guard down in case of an emergency.

I transitioned to a turbine-powered ag plane at the Thrush factory in Georgia in 2018 and I feel it was a great asset for me. Among other emergencies that we trained for, having the opportunity to experience the sensation of a stall in a turn with a loaded airplane, gave me a new, eye-opening perspective of agricultural flight.

Erroneously, many ag-pilots are sometimes unconsciously induced not to prepare for certain emergencies. Due to the low height at which we carry out most of our operations, we run the risk of settling for the idea that there is not enough time to follow procedures. So, we will simply land in straight ahead.

Often, this is exactly what happens and the pilot doesn’t have much time to do anything but hope there is a place in ahead to make a decent emergency landing that allows him to walk away from the aircraft.

But, that does not mean we should not pay attention to emergency procedures described in the flight manual. Even without access to a simulator, it costs nothing (nothing at all) to sit in the airplane cabin periodically (the beginning of the season is a good time to remove rust from the off-season) and become familiar with the sequence of certain procedures.

Think of your plane as your flight partner. There is nothing that makes our journey more enjoyable than getting to know in depth the work tool that gives us wings. If your aircraft has a fire extinguisher, check that it is loaded, within the validity period and easily accessed. Also, remember that leather shoes and clothing made of flame-retardant fabric can make a difference that will literally save our skin in an emergency.

In Brazil, I know many ag-pilots are about to end the season. Here in the United States, we are dusting off the overalls and getting ready to start another season. I can’t guarantee reading the manual or taking a mental flight will save us from any emergency, but it never hurts to help luck by doing our part, right?

Juliana Torchetti Coppick began her aviation career as a flight instructor. She flew copilot on a passenger Boeing 737 and a 727 freighter. Her passion for agricultural aviation called. Now, as an eighth year agricultural pilot flying a turbine Air Tractor, she feels that she has accomplished her dream as an ag-pilot. She has experience in Ipanema, Thrushes 510G, 510P and 510GR, Thrush 660, Air Tractor AT-402B and AT-502B. She is often asked which is her favorite airplane. “The one I’m flying now!” Her view of ag-aviation is with discipline and good humor to handle the daily challenges of the profession. “Flying an airplane is like loving someone; you got to be there with your body, mind and soul to do it right!”