Comments on: Physical limitations

By: KiwiRob

KiwiRob — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 05:56:17 +0000

Aviatrix, hang in there, please. Like many pilots around the world, you’ve left me in no doubt that you’re a consumate professional. Sure, you’ve had a scare, but you’ve also clearly demonstrated that you care enough to have learnt from it. How many other pilots would have laughed it off as just a bad day in the office? You have become something of a role model to aviators, and its only because you’ve shown that you have such high standards. Truth be told, I read your blog not only because its bloody interesting, but more importantly, I learn from it. Get back on that horse.

By: Niss Feiner

Niss Feiner — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 16:55:25 +0000

That is a very unfortunate and regretable incident. Physical limitations are uncontrollable as you have stated in your post, I can not understand how someone can justify “asking for a resignation” from one of your pilots because of how they reacted after submitting to a potentially hypoxic environment.

Aviatrix, remember why you got into flying in the first place, the same reason we all got into it…..keep living the dream. You can not blame yourself for what happened. It did not seem to me like you simply forgot what you were doing, it seemed like you despite your best efforts had no control, if your ex-boss could not recognise that you were phsically incapable then nuts to him…..there must be a better place outthere and up there for you…..

When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.
Leonardo da Vinci

You dont belong on the ground….

By: Frank Ch. Eigler

Frank Ch. Eigler — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:43:38 +0000

When we’re talking about smoke far downwind from an actual fire, is there any particular reason to believe that hypoxia would be a concern? Particulate matter, sure. Lack of oxygen? Seems unlikely to me.

By: Sq

Sq — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 21:26:57 +0000

I *do* know Aviatrix (I’d be leaving this comment on her blog if she hadn’t disabled comments), and I think you’re right about her blaming herself. Trix, if you’re reading this, I’ve seen you melt down before; you give yourself a roaring case of imposter syndrome. The only thing worse than being bad at what you do is being good, because you can never be perfect and you can never forgive yourself (a) for imperfection and (b) for the “undeserved” approval you get from your peers for your almost-but-not-quite-flawless work.

I didn’t think of the hypoxia effect, and I’m not a pilot, but my reading of the incident didn’t make it look quite so disastrous. Obviously it’s pretty bad if you get fired, but in sum, what happened was you took off in bad conditions, tried to make the run anyway, couldn’t manage it, and successfully turned around and aborted the mission with no damage except for fuel and pride. That’s more of a success than a failure.

By: Dave Starr

Dave Starr — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 20:49:38 +0000

I’d like to echo Kevin’s comments. I’ve very much enjoyed Axatrix’s writings and I have learned more than a few things about flaws in my own judgement as she openly shared her thoughts and judgement process. Among other things I have been impressed with her dedication to precision and “doing the right thing”, even when no one is looking.

I must admit, though, I hadn’t thought it through as David did vis-a-vis the actual effects of the smoke itself. Excellent analysis there. SR-111 certainly comes to mind.

Yes, I see she seemingly has the comments disabled, so David will have to bear the brunt as the first of my aviation-related bloggers to take note. What actually happened in a dispassionate view is, that she undertook a mission with perhaps inadequate rest, with certainly inadequate weather and operational support, and failed to recognize as soon as she should have that she was crossing safe VFR limits. However, she then recognized the fact, used her FO properly (isn’t that why we have FO’s in the top echelon of commercial aviation?), recovered safely and dutifully reported the incident to her boss.

To render a judgement as to whether or not she did the right thing or the wrong thing in pulling the plug would be wrong for any of us, because, like many PIC decisions, it was hers to make and she made it.

I do wish her the absolute best at whatever she chooses to do next (and I certainly hope her next move includes writing, because she truly has a gift there)… and I color those wishes with a hope that she not, at least forever, remove piloting from consideration. It’s impossible to tell for certainty from just a written word, but I believe her dedication and skill level are far above average and her ability to process and learn from mistakes, exceptional.

God speed, Trixie, and save me the seat next to David’s, I’d ride with you any day.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 19:19:11 +0000

Wow. I checked this blog first but didn’t see an update since the Gaspe entry. Then I read Avatrix’s latest posting and I’m somewhat in shock. I never would have seen this coming.
I’ve been reading her blog for a while and it is highly enjoyable – she’s a great writer. Hopefully she just needs a little time and she’ll be able to get back into aviation as a pilot and not just someone working in the aviation industry. She seems to be very talented and it would be an incredible shame if she never flew again. I’m sure she doesn’t even realize it but she is probably a role model for a great many people. I figured I’d post this here as it was through this blog that I found hers and it would seem she has disabled comments on the newest entry.

Aviatrix if you read this blog best of luck to you – we’re all human and nobody expects you to be perfect. I look forward to the day when you’ll continue your educational and entertaining blog.