OPERATION CAPSafe
April 2008
Air Safety Suggestions
Personal Judgment
As a professional, full-time pilot and a CAP check pilot and flight instructor, I often have to make tough decisions regarding a flight. To help make the correct choice, I ask myself "how would I explain this course of action to an accident investigation board?" If you don't like your answer then don't do it. If it doesn't sound like you can justify your actions to a board of inquiry, then you probably shouldn't be doing it.
If, on the other hand, you're within rules and would happy to discuss your decision to the NTSB or whomever, then you're probably ok. Just imagine yourself sitting in the center of a large empty room on a cold hard wooden chair alone in front of a table of inquisitors second-guessing your decision. Can you describe to them that you made the best choice at the time. Or if you could turn the clock back would you do something differently. If you wish you could turn the clock back, you probably
shouldn't be doing it.
Capt Robert Willard, PCR-NV-064
Ground Safety Suggestions
Personal Limitations
We are always focusing on what our qualifications are and if we are up to date
with training. And this is a very necessary activity. One area I think we fail to
recognize is to be aware of our personal limitations.
Not looking at our limitations as a weakness or failure but be aware of any areas
in which we may cause an unsafe situation for others. It may be a temporary
limitation due to illness or fatigue, but we may have permanent limitations in certain areas.
Owning our personal limitations, knowing what our limitations are and not being
afraid to say NO I CAN'T DO THAT. This could be seen as a great strength and if
one person says "Hey, I can't do that" or "Maybe you should get someone else"
others may not be afraid or embarrassed to admit a limitation. Personally, I am mildly autistic. (VERY MILD) But after a full day of being around people during a SAREX or RED CAP, I need to retreat to my room by myself to settle after a full day of stimulation. I'm not afraid to say "No, I don't think I'll go out to dinner tonight, I just need to be alone and rest." I want to be fresh and ready for the next day.
1Lt Amanda Ellison, SWR-OK-024
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