11 for 11! As a retired school administrator, I can tell that you’d be rated as a “Distinguished Educator “! Your teaching style compliments your depth of knowledge resulting in enhanced learning for your students! That’s what we call, “The Art of Teaching!” Making sense out of a content laden topic! Excellent work Jason and thank you! 👍🏼
11 for 11! Here's one many of us can probably relate to. When going on a short hamburger run or other short outing, how many people preflight the plane for the return flight, as opposed to just hopping in the plane and flying home? A CFI friend of mine once told me to ALWAYS preflight your plane for EVERY flight. He went on to explain how he had flown a Beech Baron on a short flight, and prior to the short return flight he did a walk around the airplane and found a loose hinge on one of the control surfaces. That loose hinge was not present earlier that day when he first preflighted the plane. Don't underestimate the probably of something coming loose during your short run.
Great reminder! I preflight our Aircraft in the hanger using the checklist every time. Where I get in trouble, is, the closer I get to takeoff the faster I tend to go through my checklist and most of the time that is where I miss something and start kicking myself! I still get so excited about flying that have to reign myself back in and slow down so that I don’t miss things.
11 for 11: My favorite aviation quote is the following "Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect." Committing this quote to memory and applying the wisdom in it is what I use to combat complacency.
11 for 11!!!!! I've got my wife reminding me to watch the video before I go to bed. I ALWAYS show up at least an hour before a flight so I will have plenty of time to do a preflight. I don't ever want to rush it. Thanks Jason. Loving these videos and don't think they are too long at all so don't apologize.
This is an important video! "Complacency kills" was one of my more experienced friends moto in the Marine Corps. The moment you forget something crucial... It can kill you.
Very thoughtful story. Thank you for sharing. I once had an instructor who showed that he had the check list remembered very well and I was in awe by that skill because I was just a budding student pilot. One time while I was going over my preflight check list, I felt that my my instructor was impatient with me because I was going a little slow through the check list than he'd like and he said he doesn't need to hear each check from me. So for the rest of the flight and every checklist on that one day, I kept silent and went through each checklist in my head (not by memory). When I arrived back home to think about my flight, it sadden me to think that the instructor had enough hearing the checklists over and over again. Which relates to the topic discussed today about letting complacency overtake you. I think it was that day that I realized I could've shown the same expression as my instructor if I had complacency like "I know the checks by heart I don't need to look at the checklist." So I made a promise to myself that I would treat every flight with respect and continue reading aloud the check list to my instructor as if he was my pretend passenger.
Watching as a homework catch-up ( almost there). I always ( try to ) imagine my checks are to find what hidden way my plane is secretly trying to kill me- THAT mindset seemingly slaps the complacency out of routine, boring, repetitive tasks. I pray that I’ll never get used to being stalked by hidden gremlins, and that I’ll consistently mediate, pre, and during flight. Also do a post-flight, checking for any snags left. Enjoy your videos Jason.
11 for 11! Jason, not only are these videos full of great information, but I find you to be very encouraging. I encountered this very topic during a lesson the other day. I'm getting closer to my check ride, and some of this is getting rote. As we were flying to a small airstrip, my instructor started creating some diversions, and then gave me some instructions. As I fumbled around for what to do he admonished me to always rely on my checklists. Also, you'll be glad to know, in our casual debrief afterward, he encouraged me to watch "that MZeroA guy..." 🙂
11 for 11. Leave as much time ahead of time to plan or do the other prep tasks. Book more flight time than necessary to allow for delays. I get rushed mentally with my instructor standing around waiting for me to finish prep knowing he just got back with another student and ( I feel) is mentally wishing I was moving faster to get prep done and get to flying. Reviewing crash reports should knock some complacency out of your routine.
11/11. Great story. When I arrive at the airfield, no matter how late, I enforce a no-earlier-than time on myself. One hour fifteen. Which is way more than enough time for preflight. Keeps me from rushing preflight and brief, etc.
11/11. Another good topic. I find rushing is where I get into trouble. If I'm trying to get somewhere and find the oil is low or other minor issue, I start to rush to "catch up". The two things that have helped my have been 1) having my Dad as my co-pilot working the checklists with me to make sure I'm slow and through (he's was a 30 year private pilot that "retired" but still loves to fly) and 2) remind myself that I will get there when I get there and take a few breaths and focusing on slowing down. I really like the idea of using the 30 minute fuel switch as a good time to review the panel and the situation. I've been adding in practicing one emergency checklist item, and using the fuel switch time is a good timer to do that on long distance flights. See you all tomorrow!
Guarding against complacency is a lifestyle. Operating power tools that can cut your arm off, driving a car where you're often only a small mistake away from death. Home security..... Fire prevention etc. etc. Anybody can think of things they do every single day that could get them severely injured or dead. If you do it in the rest of your life it'll naturally follow you into the cockpit.
11/11. Great story. Thanks for sharing. I go over the procedures in a loud voice even when I’m flying solo, and imagine myself being recorded my a black box
Hello Jason, simply put ; “ your honesty” in revealing your complacency inadequacies has just cemented the defence program in this pilots preflight not to mention many of the other procedures before we get airborne and many more once we become airborne. I will admit that I have caught myself with those unsettling “ oops” moments while airborne. And when I land and put away the aircraft I take a moment or two to debrief myself on my flight and those “ oops” moments were all contributed to complacency . A big thank you goes out to you and all your team members and providing such a great platform so that we may always continue to learn and make us just that more of a safer pilot 🙏🏻✈
11 for 11. It's amazing how complacency does sneak in. In the time that I do have in dual instruction as a student, treating each flight as if it were my first was drilled in to me. Most of the time, I'd have a different aircraft out of the fleet, and each one handled just differently enough to keep that "first flight" feeling right up front. I hope I never become complacent, but it's bound to happen. Now I'm armed with some great tips on what to watch for. Thanks for the great videos. I look forward to Day 12.
One good way to combat complacency is to go flying with an instructor you haven't flown with before. My first instructor was VERY complacent, would go to sleep while we did our cross country training. Ended up having a fuel exhaustion problem, landed in a field with no injuries but destroyed the airplane and stopped instructing at my flight school. Started with a new instructor and holy crap....I realized how much safer my new instructor is.
11/11 Thank you Jason. Always a good reminder for me is as confidence builds, humility can take a backseat and allow Invulnerability to sneak in along with complacency. Keep up the good work.
11 for 11: Check 2 times to make sure I have everything before going to the airport especially check to make sure I have the equipment for passengers equipment who are riding with me. Pack the day before.
👍11 for 11. Excellent video. Preflight ourselves. Complacency is very dangerous. We can see it in other aspects of our lives. After a trip in the car, look back on where we were complacent, cooking breakfast, tasks at work…. Catching complacency in other routines of our lives will help to catch it before it creeps in flying. 👍
11/11. When you're flying alone do the same briefings you would do when flying with others. Include takeoff procedures, dangers, weather, NOTAM's, landing procedures and do them out loud. That way you don't forget stuff like checking you have takeoff power set and your air speed becomes alive. Or your after takeoff checks. Or anything else. At my flight school the briefings are part of the checklists and I intend to keep doing them when I have my PPL.
When I worked for a tech company we had a saying. Day one. If you act like a startup rather than a crusty enterprise you’re less likely to be caught by compliancy. I guess that applies in this case too. Day one being the new student pilot at least in attitude.
11/11 today. Thanks for these. They're super helpful. My flying skills are geriatric, but I'm trying get back onto the flight deck and these videos are so valuable.
11-4-11. This is a good one. I feel like complacency comes with experience and frequency. I only get to fly once or twice a month, so I live in near paranoia that I'll miss something. If I flew every day ... maybe doing traffic ;-) ... I'd be much more confident and much less paranoid.
Brilliant, Jason. Thanks for sharing your humanity. The more rural the place, the more it seems complacency goes unchecked. Thanks for your meaningful 31 day challenges. This is my second year. Tim
11411.. in addition to the muscle memory, I need to practice visual verification more as well. Jason’s content covers some topics I hadn’t considered before . Thank you sir 💯
Few months ago I almost had an engine failure (turns out I moved the fuel to off) but a day or two before I watched a video on engine failures and I was mentally ready for one and it turned out to be a good thing. Engine started running rough and started my trouble shoot (minus that fuel valve which i will never forget now) but I kept my head, called ATC and got the plane on the ground safely. Now I am mentally ready for any emergency. I think “if a fire starts what will I do?” I also read through all the emergency procedures in the check list.
Jason, thanks for this. This is the MOST IMPORTANT LESSON. Correct mental attitude is absolutely essential to your survival as a private pilot. If you think you are so great and nothing will go wrong fate will teach you the opposite one day soon. I speak as someone with 53 years flying and plenty of lessons learned about complacency and survivor of a low level engine failure forced landing with 64 hours total time when I was taking a friend for his first trip in a light plane.
That's a pretty scary story. Very interesting, especially since I've in the same area. I fly out of KHEG here in Jacksonville. I actually met you once, might have been Sun-n-Fun, and you did tell me where you were based. I know in one of your previous videos mentioned Williston; I have been there many times. So, 11 for 11 now. When I do a pre-flight I not only have my checklist, but I also tell anyone near me to please hold your questions for later. Similar to when we traveled in a motorhome. Same thing: had a very strict checklist to follow before we pulled out and hit the road. Learned very early on that even the slightest distraction can cause you to miss plugging in a cable or missing a pin on your tow bar.
11 for 11!!! Shout out from a fellow Florida pilot. I’ve been active lately working to find and break complacency in my flying. Definitely flying with an instructor every so often is a good way to find those weak points. I just completed a flight review last month, and I’m always amazed how much more focused I am afterwards. Thanks Jason!!
These are great Jason! As a Private pilot getting back into it after a few years off, these have been a huge value add! Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you do!
11 for 11. Great topic Jason! I recently had to switch to a new CFI, and this switch made me realize there was some complacency on my part, but also on the part of my previous CFI not holding me accountable. During preflight inspections and run up on a recent flight, my new CFI caught me glazing over/rushing through important things. He used this opportunity to teach me to slow down and always ask myself, "why am I doing this?" whenever I'm going through preflight inspections, run up, checklists, etc. He explained that the "why" teaches good decision making skills. On this particular flight, we ended up cancelling because the carb heat didn't seem to be working properly - something I had glazed over. This was a lesson I'm sure I'll always remember. I'm super grateful for this new CFI and his awareness of complacency and being willing to teach me.
11/11 thank you for all the videos and also be willing to put yourself out there to show that we are all humans even the best out there! Hope you guys have an amazing day!!!!
11 for 11: Thank you Jason, great video and yet another gut punch reminder of why flying is not just a walk in the park. I got onto the runway once and just before throttle up realized that I hadn’t changed my altimeter setting, after a stunned second of thinking “what else did I miss” I cleared the runway and finished my preflight! Checklist, checklist, checklist… have it, hold it, use it… Always . Could be the first step to avoid complacency. Keep up the sterling work
Day 11 of 11 here. Excellent presentation. I have been watching other videos. Thanks for the information. Have been watching everyday. But complacency kept me from commenting here.
11 for 11. Middle aged guy here that is looking into getting my private pilot certificate. Really enjoy the videos and learn so much even though I have not even been in a GA aircraft. Figure I can't learn too much and having an understanding of things before starting private pilot training can only help.
11/11. „Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous, but to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving for any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.“
11/11 Such a great video!! Even as a student pilot I see others performing tasks like the preflight so much faster than me. I was starting to think " when I really get good at this then I will be just as fast". Now I wonder who is doing a better job? I kinda like my slow methodical way-Now it seems like the right thing to do.
I require a min of 30 min from the time I get to hanger before I allow myself to fly. This has prevented me from rushing into the air and making sure nothing gets missed. May seem excessive but has never failed me.
11 for 11. Great topic, Jason. In order to guard against complacency, I think trying to treat each flight like a check ride helps to keep us on our toes. Take care Jason. Thank you for producing these awesome videos. 😊
11/11 . I was going to go flying yesterday for fun, but the ceiling was below 3000 ft (my minimum). I thought I would go ahead and fly until I saw four separate flocks of geese fly overhead, just below the cloud layer. I’ll fly another day.
11/11. Biggest drag is pre-flighting a plane i just flew and parked at the FBO while I got quick snack. Plane was out of my sight so check it again. Rules to NEVER break.
Loving this series and your other videos, as a private pilot with instrument that hasn't flown in about 10 years, this has been great to help get me back into flying again. Hope to meet y'all some time around Ocala.
For me it would be my sense of responsibility for my life and potentially the life of others that would help me avoid complacency. If I had an engine failure I would be concerned for people on the ground before my own life, after I know I am not going to cause death to others I would focus on getting my the plane down safely. I would probably fly around a city instead of over the city just in case I lost an engine, especially at low altitude. Where I live the airports are at the edge of the city or town thankfully.
11. Thank you for sharing these moments of your career that helped define where you’re at now. I’m only 16 hours in towards PPL and learning so much from these awesome videos.
11 for 11, it's all too easy in our nature to feel too confident with things and think our memory and skills are good enough to just rely on, and the age old uhh I do this everyday why do I need to check that for... we all need these reminders, threats and errors are all around us all the time.
