VINTAGE INSTRUCTOR
THE
BY DOUG STEWART
Don’t hurry, be safer!
T
he last week of July this year had been a long, hot, and hard week for me. Admittedly, I had spent the entire week in aviation mecca—AirVenture ’06. Many of my friends and acquaintances seem jealous that I get to spend the entire week at AirVenture every year, but they forget that I spend most of my time there working. Between presenting numerous forums and attending to my responsibilities in the NAFI (National Association of Flight Instructors) tent each and every day, it had been a very tiring week, and I was eager to get home. The plan was for me to oversee the change of personnel at the NAFI tent at midday, on the last Sunday of AV ’06, and then fly home. I had a client scheduled for the first thing on Monday morning, back at Columbia County, but practicing what I preach, the client knew I wasn’t promising to be there. If too many X’s appeared on my PAVE and CARE checklists, I might not make it home in time, if at all, for the appointment. I certainly wasn’t going to let the pressure of that appointment lead me into a bad situation. Those of you who were there must remember the ugly weather that greeted us that Sunday morning. For those of you who weren’t, let me just say that the severe storm warnings that were issued that
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morning were for a real good reason. Level 6 (and occasionally level 7) storms curving along a line that was close to 100 miles long were charging across Wisconsin out of the northwest.
There are few things in aviation that require us to hurry. The storm hit Oshkosh a little after 7 a.m. that morning. (A testament to the storm’s strength was that the flagpole atop the NAFI tent was bent back at a 45-degree angle, albeit with the flag still attached, when we arrived at the tent that morning.) Stretching out behind the frontal line all the way to the Minnesota border was an area of weather that went anywhere from level 4 down to level 1 rain, with some holes and clear areas in between. Then there was a second line of storms that wasn’t anywhere near as long or wide, but with the same approximate intensity. All of this was moving to the east-southeast. After that bit of nastiness was
over, many of the pilots still remaining at Wittman Field were now preparing for a hasty exodus before the second line of weather hit, myself included. I was able to quickly retire from my duties at the NAFI tent and contact the two people who would be flying back home with me so we could coordinate our earlier-thanplanned departure. Fortunately, I had already taken care of the fueling of my airplane the previous day, so that wouldn’t delay us. As I hurried about, taking care of the few bits of unfinished business that had to be attended to, I took the time to remind myself to remain vigilant about the dangers of being in a hurry. More often than I really care to confess, I have gotten myself into, for lack of a better word, a compromised situation because of being in a hurry. Although some might call me an old dog, I have learned at least one new trick, and that is to not rush. Another thing I learned long ago is that aviation is inherently dangerous. It really wasn’t all that long ago that I would say to a prospective client: “You know, the most dangerous part of this flying business is the drive home from the airport.” What a bunch of hogwash! Aviation is filled with risk. The only thing that keeps us safe is our ability to manage it. This risk is not limited to when we’re airborne, in whatever type of
conveyance we use to “slip the surly bonds,” but is present anytime we are in proximity to those machines, even while still ground bound. Managing risk is a process that has to begin from the very moment we first conceive of a flight—before we even pass through the gate of the airport fence—until such time as we remove ourselves from the aviation environment. Our increased diligence not only shields us from harm, but ensures that we do not expose anyone else to the risk we have chosen to accept. I am thoroughly aware of the risks I assume by flying. I choose to accept those risks. But I know I have no right to expose anyone else to those risks unless they consent to them. But getting back to my departure from Oshkosh: Having fulfilled all my responsibilities I now caught a ride to my airplane, which was parked on the north side of Runway 9/27 near the terminal. It was obvious I was not the only pilot taking advantage of the break in the weather to depart Wittman Field. The golf cart in which I was riding had to sit and wait at the taxiway out of the EAA hangar, as the Red Barons, Sean Tucker, and the “Flyboy” Extra taxied by, all trying to beat the next line of weather headed toward OSH. The short wait provided a good opportunity to remind myself of the dangers of being in a hurry. When I got to my airplane I made sure I didn’t rush through my preflight. I took my time and, if anything, did a more thorough preflight inspection than normal. As I went through the inspection, I had my handheld radio turned on. After listening to the ATIS, I switched to the tower for Runway 27. The controller was doing a fantastic job of expediting the departures. Even a New York controller handling LaGuardia arrivals during a push would have been envious. The controller’s commands certainly encouraged “no delay.” While all this was going on, I noticed a fire engine with its lights flashing go across Runway 27, heading south. I also noticed many people looking in the direction that the fire truck was headed. Some held bin-
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THE VINTAGE INSTRUCTOR continued from previous page oculars to their eyes. It wasn’t until the next morning, after I had gotten home, that I heard the horrific news. In all the hustle and bustle of many pilots expediting their departure from AirVenture ’06, on that last day of the event, a TBM Avenger taxied into an RV-6, killing the passenger in the right seat, EAA Chapter 245 President Gary Palmer. That wasn’t the only fatality at Wittman Field during this year’s AirVenture. A couple from Washington was killed when their Europa motorglider crashed in what appears to have been a classic stall/spin on a base to final turn. It was another day when controllers were doing their best to expedite arrivals. They were encouraging pilots to “keep it tight.” Folks, being in a hurry can be dangerous. And as we have seen at this year’s AirVenture, it can be fatal. We cannot let anything or anyone push us into rushing. Whether i t ’s y o u r o w n i n n e r d e m o n s , a spouse, a friend, a business appointment, a dinner engagement, the weather, or even ATC, the moment we allow ourselves to hurry, our risk increases exponentially. There are few things in aviation that require us to hurry. Yes, an engine failure on takeoff or an engine or cockpit fire will require that we act with some speed, but even then we have to act in a controlled and deliberate manner. The instant we allow our thinking to become blurred by rushing, we open the door to danger. If we could all resist the urge to hurry, we should all live to enjoy another day of…blue skies and tail winds. Doug Stewart is the 2004 National CFI of the Year, a Master Instructor, and a designated pilot examiner. He operates DSFI Inc. (www.dsflight.com) based at the Columbia County Airport (1B1 in North Egremont, Massachusetts).
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FLY-IN CALENDAR The following list of coming events is furnished to our readers as a matter of information only and does not constitute approval, sponsorship, involvement, control, or direction of any event (fly-in, seminars, fly market, etc.) listed. To submit an event, send the information via mail to: Vintage Airplane, P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086. Or e-mail the information to: vintageaircraft@eaa.org. Information should be received four months prior to the event date. SEPTEMBER 7-10—Greenville, ME—Greenville, Maine 33rd Annual International FlyIn. Contests, poker runs, cruise on Moosehead Lake, cookout, buffet, demonstrations, and more. Info: Darralyn Gauvin, PO Box 1289, Greenville, ME 04441 or email darralyn@ghslakers.org SEPTEMBER 9—Blue Bell, PA—Wings Field (LOM). 17th Annual Vintage Aircraft & Classic Car Show. 10am-3pm. Free Admission. $10 Automobile Parking. Food, Music, Enter tainment, & Exhibits. All net proceeds will go to benefit Angel Flight East. Rain Date: September 10th. Info: Bonni 800-383-9464 x106 SEPTEMBER 9—Newark, OH—Newark-Heath Airpor t (VTA). Annual EAA Chapter 402 Fly-In Breakfast. Breakfast: pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, cof fee. Vintage and homebuilt aircraft. Young Eagles Flights. Buckeye Chapter of RVAtors fly over. Fly-ins and drive-ins welcome. Info: Tom McFadden 740-587-2312 or tmc@alink.com SEPTEMBER 9—Maxton, NC—LaurinburgMaxton Airport (MEB). Region 10 Ercoupe Owners Club North-South Carolina Members & Guests 3rd Annual “Spectacular September Invitational”. Hosted by John Miller & William McNeill. 10am-10:45am Touch-Down. 11am-Noon RC Demonstrations. Noon-1:15pm Lunch & Awards. 1:30pm-3pm Fly-Out to Local Grass Strip. 3pm-3:30pm Departure. Info: Buck 336-342-5629, 336549-1936, bandman1@triad.rr.com SEPTEMBER 17—Tunkhannock, PA—Skyhaven Airport (76N). Pancake Breakfast and Craft Show. 7:30am-1pm. Info: 570-836-4800, skyhaven@ptd.net SEPTEMBER 22-23—Bartlesville, OK—Frank Phillips Airfield. 50th Annual Tulsa Regional Fly-In. Info: Charlie Harris 918-622-8400. www.tulsaflyin.com SEPTEMBER 24—Hinkley, IL—0C2. EAA Ch. 241 Breakfast on the Grass. 7:30am-Noon. Info: 847-888-2119 SEPTEMBER 30—Hanover, IN—Lee Bottom Flying Field (64I). 10th Annual Wood, Fabric, & Tailwheels Fly-In. Come see what everyone is talking about. If you love the good old says, then you’ll love this event. Info: www. LeeBottom.com SEPTEMBER 30—Topping, VA—Hummel Air Field. The 11th Annual Car & Air Event. Featuring Antique Cars & Planes. Plus Fire Apparatus, Tractors & Engines, and Arts & Crafts of all types. Info: 804-758-4330 or 804694-5995, info@wingsandwheel.us, www. wingsandwheels.us SEPTEMBER 30 - Temple TX, (KTPL)-GATerminal Fly-In Breakfast, 0800-1100, Program 1100-1200. All airplanes
and pilots welcome. Gourmet Pancake Breakfast, Banana Pecan Pancakes, Spiral Cut Glazed Ham, Coffee/Beverage, Exxon Fuel Discount for Fly-Ins/Taxi-Outs(Even), LtCol Rayford Brown, 254 718 4910/ ltcrkbrown@hot.rr.com mail to:4910/ ltcrkbrown@hot.rr.com OCTOBER 6-8—Camden, SC—Woodward Field (KCDN). VAA Chapter 3 Fall Fly-In. BBQ Friday evening, EAA judging Saturday, Banquet and Speaker Saturday night. All classes welcome. Info: Jim Wilson 843-753-7138 or eiwilson@ homexpressway.net OCTOBER 11-15—Tullahoma, TN—Beech Party 2006. Staggerwing/Twin Beech 18/Bonanza/ Baron/Beech owners & enthusiasts are welcome. Sponsored by the Staggerwing Museum Foundation, Staggerwing Club, Twin Beech 18 Society, Bonanza/Baron Museum, & Travel Air Division. Info: 931-455-1794 OCTOBER 14—Georgetown, DE—Sussex County Airport (GED). Delaware Aviation Museum 3rd Annual Wings and Wheels Fly-In. Vintage, Classic and Warbirds judging and awards. Fun flying activities during the day. Rides available for purchase in a B-25 and PT-17. Antique and vintage cars as well as street rods. Judging and awards for cars also. Free admission to the public. Donations appreciated. Info: 302-855-2355OCTOBER 29—Jean, NV—Jean Airport. 18th Annual North Las Vegas International Ercoupe Fly In and Halloween party (EOC Region 8). Info: http://www.airnav.com/airport/0L7
2006
Major Fly-Ins For details on EAA Chapter fly-ins and other local aviation events, visit www.eaa.org/events
Virginia Regional EAA Fly-In Dinwiddie County Airport (PTB) Petersburg, VA September 30-October 1, 2006 www.vaeaa.org
EAA Southeast Regional Fly-In Middleton Field Airport (GZH) Evergreen, AL October 6-8, 2006 www.serfi.org
Copperstate Regional EAA Fly-In Casa Grande (AR) Municipal Airport (CGZ) October 26-29, 2006 www.copperstate.org For details on EAA Chapter fly-ins and other local aviation events, visit www.eaa.org/events