VFR Scenario Essay
AVIA 211 –D01
Gideon Taylor
Introduction
Realizing that we have all been at the same place as the student pilot in the example VFR
Scenario #1, it is quite easy to relate not only to the scenario, but the stressors that the pilot is
facing. The added stress and emotional strife that go along with the job, having to reschedule,
having been delayed all really initially set the pilot up behind the power curve on coping. So, we
will try and break down how to mitigate the stressors and practice some Aeronautical Decision
Management by using the P.A.V.E. mnemonic.
Pilot: As the Pilot-In-Command, it is always imperative to look at yourself as the primary
point of potential failure for any flight. Utilizing the I.M.S.A.F.E. acronym helps each of us to
remember some of the more important aspects to keep in mind when doing our personal pre-
flight before we even leave for the airport. We see that several factors are indeed affecting the
pilot in this scenario, including stress, emotion, and fatigue.
•
Illness – Are you experiencing any symptoms for any illness that might
affect you inflight? (Ear infection, sinus infection, congestion, cold, flu)
•
Medication – Are you taking any medications that might affect you? Even
normal over the counter medications can have altered effects at altitude.
•
Stress – “Get-there-it is”, scheduling, finances all play a part here. How
are you dealing with any stressors, and are you overstressed?
•
Alcohol – Have you had ANY alcohol within the last 24 hours?
•
Fatigue – Have you had appropriate rest? Are you feeling tired?
•
Emotion / Eating – Have you recovered from any significant emotional
events? Are you adequately nourished?
Aircraft: Is the aircraft appropriately equipped? Is it equipped for this flight? Is the load
appropriate? Weight and Balance, Fuel, GPS database updated…etc. In this scenario, we don’t
have any indications that the aircraft is an issue, other than the primary aircraft was not
available, forcing the pilot to take their second-choice aircraft. While most likely similar, each
aircraft has its own personality, and quirks that help a new pilot gain a sense of confidence.
Environment: Weather, terrain, airport, nighttime flying, and airspace all apply in this
area. Worsening or just changing weather conditions are often unnerving, and can be
potentially dangerous if not taken into account. Winds are constantly shifting, and the preferred
runway and METAR for the destination before taking off are almost always different at the time
of arrival. In this scenario, we see that this is indeed the case, as the winds have put the pilot in
a touch of a predicament, with winds from 055* at a speed of 10 knots, with gusts to 17 knots.
The fact that the pilot is lined up on runway 1 shows us that the crosswind component is right at
9 knots, with a 6-knot headwind, by using Figure 36, the Crosswind Component Chart from the
FAA’s Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, and Private
Pilot. These are indeed challenging conditions, but had the pilot tuned the AWOS for the
destination well in advance, the time to react would have been greater, and given the pilot an
opportunity to turn around before finding out that the winds were in excess of their capabilities.
The Nall Report shows that the number 1 reason for Pilot related accidents is during the landing
sequence.
External Pressures: ATC communications, ‘Get-there-it is’, having to be at work, previous
delays, short notice, and having to pay for another trip, fuel expenses, childcare… all of these
items are heavy weights which can add up and provide a large amount of pressure to complete
the mission. All of these factors play a part in adding stressors to an already stressful event.
Conclusion
Looking at all of the information above, and the fact that the pilot has already attempted one
landing which resulted in a go-around, is already proof that the ADM process and standard
procedures work, as the first attempt resulted in a go-around instead of an FAA/NTSB incident
report. There are many other options that could have been taken, but with the information
provided, everything has turned out ok, but could have been much different.
