Reality Check:
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 563
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From: USA
Reality Check:
hi
I will conduct a simple poll. answer these questions. we will assume anyone answering the question holds an ATP. (unless you mention otherwise)
In your career have you ever seen:
pilots, on duty, reading non aviation required books or magazines?
pilots sleeping on duty in the cockpit?
pilots not doing checklists, or hurrying checklists, or answering checklists without really checking things?
someone pencil whip a write up?
good pilots get blamed for something they didn't do?
bad pilots getting away with something they shouldn't have gotten away with?
and:
In flying, is it better to be good or lucky?
regards
jon
I will conduct a simple poll. answer these questions. we will assume anyone answering the question holds an ATP. (unless you mention otherwise)
In your career have you ever seen:
pilots, on duty, reading non aviation required books or magazines?
pilots sleeping on duty in the cockpit?
pilots not doing checklists, or hurrying checklists, or answering checklists without really checking things?
someone pencil whip a write up?
good pilots get blamed for something they didn't do?
bad pilots getting away with something they shouldn't have gotten away with?
and:
In flying, is it better to be good or lucky?
regards
jon
Gender Faculty Specialist
Joined: Mar 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 432
From: In your head.
Yes - Every day...
Yes - Every week...
Yes - Every sector...
Dunno what pencil whiping means!
Yes - Occasionally...
Yes - Far too often...
You can have all the luck in the world but it doesn't matter if you don't know what to do with it. GOOD.
CM
Yes - Every week...
Yes - Every sector...
Dunno what pencil whiping means!
Yes - Occasionally...
Yes - Far too often...
You can have all the luck in the world but it doesn't matter if you don't know what to do with it. GOOD.
CM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Yes (Common)
Yes (Common on long haul)
Yes (Part 1 Rarely, Part 2 occasionally, Part 3 Frequently)
Yes (Common amongst the "Mustang" engineers, they fix it with their P51 (Parker 51) pen)
Rarely (Except in the neanderthal management era when it was common)
Rarely (Except in the neanderthal management era when it was common)
and :
Much better to TRY to be good. If anyone ever achieves perfection, please let us know.
Regards,
Old Smokey
Yes (Common on long haul)
Yes (Part 1 Rarely, Part 2 occasionally, Part 3 Frequently)
Yes (Common amongst the "Mustang" engineers, they fix it with their P51 (Parker 51) pen)
Rarely (Except in the neanderthal management era when it was common)
Rarely (Except in the neanderthal management era when it was common)
and :
Much better to TRY to be good. If anyone ever achieves perfection, please let us know.
Regards,
Old Smokey
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 0
From: fairly close to the colonial capitol
1. All of the time
2. Does dozing count ?
3. Usually not intentional, but yes
4. Not directly observed on a critical item (yet), but have seen it on little stuff many times
5. More than once, sadly enough
6. See #5
I have always heard that 'good luck' is the residue of skill. 
2. Does dozing count ?
3. Usually not intentional, but yes
4. Not directly observed on a critical item (yet), but have seen it on little stuff many times
5. More than once, sadly enough
6. See #5
In flying, is it better to be good or lucky?
Only half a speed-brake
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 136
From: Commuting not home
only CPL/jet
Yes, almost on daily basis.
Yes, rarely. Only few occasions were "the controlled rest".
Yes, now and then.
Yes. Although I believe those were mis-informed pushes for simple solutions rather than intentional "workarounds"-
Not yet.
Not yet.
Yes, rarely. Only few occasions were "the controlled rest".
Yes, now and then.
Yes. Although I believe those were mis-informed pushes for simple solutions rather than intentional "workarounds"-
Not yet.
Not yet.
PPRuNeaholic
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 0
From: Cairns FNQ
I'm with OS on the first 4, viz...
For the others...
Yes, and
Yes!!!!
Finally, there are times in every career when being "good" isn't enough. You DO need an element of luck at other times. However, if you aren't "good" the chances of "luck" seeing you through will be GREATLY diminished. Thus, being "good" is a really good start!
Yes (Common)
Yes (Common on long haul)
Yes (Part 1 Rarely, Part 2 occasionally, Part 3 Frequently)
Yes (Common amongst the "Mustang" engineers, they fix it with their P51 (Parker 51) pen)
Yes (Common on long haul)
Yes (Part 1 Rarely, Part 2 occasionally, Part 3 Frequently)
Yes (Common amongst the "Mustang" engineers, they fix it with their P51 (Parker 51) pen)
Yes, and
Yes!!!!
Finally, there are times in every career when being "good" isn't enough. You DO need an element of luck at other times. However, if you aren't "good" the chances of "luck" seeing you through will be GREATLY diminished. Thus, being "good" is a really good start!
Guest
Posts: n/a
1. Yes - rarely as flying shorthaul
2. Yes - rarely, see above
3. Yes - Often
4. Yes - but not often (as i know of
)
5. Yes - it happens, but mostly for F/O's with !!!!ty C/O's
6. Yes - Often
To be a "good" pilot you have to be GOOD. Cannot rely on luck alone, and luck alone will not give you the confidence, attitude and respect with your collegues, hence it is not good for crew morale, leading to others maybe more lazy attitudes to things, leading to reduced crew performance, leading to CRM issues, leading to general decreased safety on board leading to..........
Luck IS good and you need it from time to time, but SKILLS and ATTITUDE (the right one
)is the key to everyday succes on the job
my stolen penny
2. Yes - rarely, see above
3. Yes - Often
4. Yes - but not often (as i know of
)5. Yes - it happens, but mostly for F/O's with !!!!ty C/O's
6. Yes - Often
To be a "good" pilot you have to be GOOD. Cannot rely on luck alone, and luck alone will not give you the confidence, attitude and respect with your collegues, hence it is not good for crew morale, leading to others maybe more lazy attitudes to things, leading to reduced crew performance, leading to CRM issues, leading to general decreased safety on board leading to..........
Luck IS good and you need it from time to time, but SKILLS and ATTITUDE (the right one
)is the key to everyday succes on the job my stolen penny
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 954
Likes: 5
From: USA
More specific reality
pilots, on duty, reading non aviation required books or magazines?
pilots sleeping on duty in the cockpit?
pilots not doing checklists, or hurrying checklists, or answering checklists without really checking things?
someone pencil whip a write up?
good pilots get blamed for something they didn't do?
bad pilots getting away with something they shouldn't have gotten away with?
In flying, is it better to be good or lucky?
Can't wait to see your conclusions, Jon. Don't wait for 100 responses! Do tell.
Best regards,
Westhawk
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: Australia
westhawk,
I smiled at your "could not duplicate on the ground" remark. I once had an engine that ran back to ground idle when the thrust levers were closed in flight. I wrote it up in the Tech Log as described. The engineer's write-off was, as you said, "could not duplicate on the ground".
A personal thought to the "Luck" theme in the thread, is that those pilots who believe that luck is a factor in their lives, are destined to have a lot of the bad type.
Regards,
Old Smokey
I smiled at your "could not duplicate on the ground" remark. I once had an engine that ran back to ground idle when the thrust levers were closed in flight. I wrote it up in the Tech Log as described. The engineer's write-off was, as you said, "could not duplicate on the ground".
A personal thought to the "Luck" theme in the thread, is that those pilots who believe that luck is a factor in their lives, are destined to have a lot of the bad type.
Regards,
Old Smokey
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Sandpit
YES -- If Flight International, Air Classics and the like are "non aviation required magazines"...
YES -- Often in companies where duty time limitations are overlooked (and probably on long haul).
YES -- As had been said, 1 rarely, 2 sometimes, 3 often.
YES -- With most operators I've worked for, unfortunately...
YES -- Sometimes, and
OOOOH YES... too many times!!!
As with being good or lucky... Well, it's better to be both... Too many good pilots out there ran out of luck and bought the farm...
YES -- Often in companies where duty time limitations are overlooked (and probably on long haul).
YES -- As had been said, 1 rarely, 2 sometimes, 3 often.
YES -- With most operators I've worked for, unfortunately...
YES -- Sometimes, and
OOOOH YES... too many times!!!
As with being good or lucky... Well, it's better to be both... Too many good pilots out there ran out of luck and bought the farm...
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 954
Likes: 5
From: USA
I smiled at your "could not duplicate on the ground" remark. I once had an engine that ran back to ground idle when the thrust levers were closed in flight. I wrote it up in the Tech Log as described. The engineer's write-off was, as you said, "could not duplicate on the ground".
I would not find that to be an acceptable signoff either. I hope the engineer in question was embarrassed, rather than indignant when you confronted him!
Best regards,
Westhawk