A routine can be comfortable. Whether we acknowledge it or not, as people, we enjoy predictable repetition. Oftentimes, we lean into the familiarity of these activities, surrendering the exhaustive alertness of remaining aware for the practiced ease of routine. But what happens when these lapses in focus cost lives? For a pilot, a role responsible for the safe transportation of dozens at a time, this trend is all the more troubling.
It only takes one slip, one mistake to cost a life. In recently released documents detailing the 2004 crash of a Gulfstream IV-SP, something as innocuous as the gust lock (usually referred to as the “control lock”) was deemed the culprit. The pilot responsible, along with everyone else on the flight perished in the ensuing fire after takeoff.
The result of pilots cutting corners has never been good. The gust control alone, responsible for several air disasters, is an easy to cross-off item from any pilot’s pre-takeoff checklist. The surprising amount of air disasters that could have been prevented by taking the necessary precautions is staggering. Warning lights are designed for a reason, and choosing to ignore them, regardless of their importance, risks the lives of everyone on board.
What is the solution, though? Some have suggested that the answer lies in closely monitoring those behind the “wheel.” Supporters like John Goglia, a former member of the NTSB, feel that pilots need more measures to ensure they’re performing their required duties. However, with the level of observation already staggering, one extra layer can hardly be said to improve things. With cockpit voice recorders, data recorders, radar, ATC, and flight recording software, you’d be hard-pressed to find another way to watch pilots during their work.
What’s the answer? How can you prevent yourself from falling victim to hubris thousands of feet above the ground? Remember your checklists, and above all else, remember your humility. Test pilots with more time in the air than on solid ground have made these simple mistakes, and the only difference between a successful career as a pilot and a sobering reminder is how closely you pay attention.