We talk often about survival gear and communication equipment in case something happens, but those things are all reactionary tools.

I know you experienced guys do it, but how often do our less experienced pilots think about emergencies? Or have our experienced pilots ever let things get in the way, like complacency or get-home-itis?

I heard a great quote yesterday that spurred this train of thought.

"If you haven't thought about the possibility of something happening, you'll be totally unprepared when it does." (Or something to that effect)

For example:
It's a good idea to think about the possibility of an engine failure before you ever push the throttle forward. What if it happens on the runway? (no brainer, right? But how long is your runway?) What if it happens shortly after takeoff? How are your winds/obstacles/traffic? The answer to these questions won't always involve a flyable airplane after the incident, but should involve a breathing you.

Being mentally prepared for an emergency is an excellent way to mitigate risk, allowing you to do something you love in a safer way. Airplanes can be replaced, people can't.

Here's a great quote:

"In flying I have learned that carelessness and overconfidence are usually far more dangerous than deliberately accepted risks."
-Orville Wright


What techniques do you use to visualize or mentally prepare for emergencies?

When I wasn't working as a pilot, I was working as a cop. An absolute rule for both professions is that your brain is constantly engaged with "What if?" dialogue.

It's a lifesaver, and ensures you're always a few steps ahead of what you're doing at the moment.

Gump

The definition of a Pessimist is,
"An Optimist with Experience"…

The most important thing that was ever said to me was "The moment you have to do a forced landing the insurance company owns the plane".

That was an astounding revelation.

Before my accident thought process was "how do I save the plane". Afterwards it became "how do I save the people in the plane".

Gunny is right on with always running "what if" in your head.

Aside from that, the best pre-accident preparation is learning, learning, learning, learning. Never stop learning. Some of this will be with an instructor, but most will be by yourself. Most pilots have absolutely no idea what their plane is capable of, nor how to fly it properly. You can see/hear this everyday just by watching guys land. High or hot, landing long, while bouncing down the runway. Once they have their license they think "I can fly a plane now" and quit learning. In reality they become worse pilots as time goes on, they become complacent, and bad habits set in.

And don't be cheap. Especially when it comes to your engine. Aircraft engines are crap to begin with (blame the FAA and lawyers for this), there is no reason to worsen the situation by having someone overhaul them who does not have a sanitized work area nor the proper testing/measuring equipment (and might be buying the cheapest parts they can find). Hell, in a former life I was one of the top auto mechanics in the country, asked to mechanic for the Lotus Formula One team and there is no way I'm overhauling any of my airplane engines, nor even changing out a jug (under the watchful eye of an A&P IA of course). When that time comes the engine will go to one of the top engine builders.

Airplane owners (in general) are so cheap that it takes a long time (as in many months) for me to train my mechanics that their primary responsibility, EVERY TIME they work/look at my plane, is to find stuff to fix or needs replacing. They are used to being asked to do repairs as cheaply as possible, or not at all. This came about from doing all the upgrade work on the 185 and in the process seeing how much stuff was done incorrectly, was worn out, or already not working properly.

[sorry for the rant]

Oh, and when it comes time for an annual or conditional, do an owner assisted one so you learn what your airplane parts are supposed to look like, and what needs to be checked. And when you clean your plane, use this time to look everything over carefully, such as are the VG's all still in place, are the flying wires taught, is there enough nitrogen in the tires, how do the brake pads look, are any bolts, nuts, or screws coming loose, are there any smoking rivets, etc, etc. If you have someone else clean your plane teach them what to look out for. You can't have too many eyes looking things over.

Learn and maintain. The best pre-accident preparation in my opinion.

Excellent thinking CamTom,

I have flown with and trained a lot of pilots who were so conscientious, so careful, and so prepared they embarrassed me. I really respect those pilots. Dave Trujillo always got scheduled to fly with me because, his "white cloud cancelled out my black cloud." My wife has never had an accident or incident or ticket in an automobile. What worries my convoluted mind is how can such squeaky clean people operate in the failure mode, like has kept me from dying from time to time?

I have flown junk, much of my flying career, that anyone would expect to fail at any moment. And several engines, transmission oil filter gaskets, droop cam compensators, mags, carbs, etc. did fail. I have had huge experience advantages.

What I am asking Cary and MTV and many of you others is, how do you do it. How can you be so prepared and still really believe, it will probably fail? There has got to be an art to that.

Best regards,

Jim

Lots of things to think about with this topic. Barnstormer hit the nail on the head KNOW YOU PLANE!! it will often tell you when there is going to be a problem ahead of time just listen to it when you hear/feel a change. Post flight and in bright light if possible, pop the hood and take a good look at all lines, bolts, screws, wires, and leaks. It is not as easy to do in the spam can but once a year at annual just don't cut it. Find a IA that knows the difference between a good used part and a bad used part. You don't need to replace half your plane at annual, if an older part works fine, but if there is a question replace it. Don't leave the safety gear at home even for a 15 min flight. I have the numbers for my IA, good friends, local helicopter recovery guy, and medivac in laminated card with my sat phone.OK now we have the plane ready how about you.
I used to think that everyone picked on the pilot when they said it was pilot error that caused the crash, it must be the plane. Now I realize it was usually the pilot that was the major factor. How well do you know you plane and what reflex actions can you do without thinking. Most all my flying has been in pipers with the fuel valve in the same spot. If my 0320 coughs my hand switches the fuel before I even think about it. Sit in your plane in a dark hanger or with eyes closed and see if you know where all the controls are by feel because when the motor quits you will be looking out the window trying to find the crash site. Do dry runs on motor out no time for a checklist. Fly the plane, fuel, mags, leaned too much or not enough, carb heat, pick the crash site, Mayday, hit the spot, seatbelt tight, door open, FLY TO THE CRASH SITE.
Keep you head in the game and don't worry about the plane. Most planes can use a fresh paint job anyway. You can really slow down most planes real slow if you work at it. Taking out the gear or a wing is no big deal but breaking you pelvis is.
On normal landings we all know where we want to land. But, do you know where you want to crash? Many off field spots have one side that is better than the other if things go wrong. It might be better to go right to the willows than left to the river. You may get your prop on the rocks to the left but it will be a lot more damage to the trees on the right. On strips that have no go around, if you miss where are you going to set it in. Preplan the ground loop spot (you can ground loop a cub at a pretty good clip and still do ok.
Coffee cup is empty, time to quit.
DENNY

Whether one is sailing, flying, camping, etc.... I will ask people.

" What is the go to Hell plan ? " maybe that's the real alternate flight plan we all ought to have in the back of our head. Elsewhere here is a thread from guy with a popped Continental Cylinder which almost bought him the farm while landing at Johnson Creek.

Things can get scary out there..