THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, and it’s one of the best times to fly. Gather your family and friends, hop into an airplane, and set off on an adventure during the most joyous time of the year.
Remember though, there’s more to flying during the holidays than just taking off into the sky. Your excitement for flying can sometimes overshadow essential preparation, leading to unexpected challenges. With all of the joy and anticipation of the season, it’s easy to overlook some of the key aspects of flight.
As we embrace the holidays, weather conditions can change without notice. If you’re unprepared, you may realize too late. To avoid surprises, make sure to complete your flight review before takeoff. Conduct thorough preflight planning, including a weather briefing, and refresh your currency and proficiency to minimize any risks.
We all know the importance of checking the weather, but sometimes we fall into the habit of just going through the motions. When planning a cross-country trip, always gather detailed information not only about your immediate journey but also your return home. While it’s tempting to take off when the weather is perfect, it can be dangerous if you don’t know what conditions lie ahead in the coming days or weeks.
Heading out for the holidays often means a longer stay at your destination, and while you can’t predict the weather for your return, you can prepare for the unexpected. Plan to stay a little longer if necessary and have an alternate route planned in case conditions change on your departure date or along the way. Be flexible, and don’t hesitate to say, “It’s a no-go.” It’s always better to delay a flight than face weather-related issues midair.
Currency and proficiency are other factors crucial for safe flying in any season, including the holidays. The reality is that your currency and proficiency start to diminish the day after your checkride. If you don’t actively maintain them, you could find yourself in a situation that could have been easily avoided with more practice and up-to-date training.
Much carelessness stems from what’s known as “armchair flying syndrome.” How many times have we, as a group, speculated on the cause of an incident from the comfort of our chairs, moments after hearing the first report, without giving it further thought—even though we may not have flown in months?
We convince ourselves that such an incident could never happen to us, believing we wouldn’t make the same mistakes. It’s easy to think, “I’m current, I’m proficient,” but overconfidence can lead to complacency.
I once rode along on a biennial flight review (BFR) in a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle. The pilot flew the airplane at least once a week, sometimes more. As expected, everything was perfect: maneuvers, engine outs, stalls, and approaches. That is, until we reached short final. The pilot had just completed a flawless, single-engine NDB approach under the hood. As he pulled the power back, an ear-splitting horn blared, but he showed no reaction. The instructor conducting the review asked him if he was ready to land, to which the pilot confidently replied, “Pre-landing check complete,” without acknowledging the horn or checking his panel.
The instructor took over the controls and calmly asked the pilot to relax, take a look around, and assess whether they were indeed ready to land. With the responsibility of flying off his shoulders, the pilot noticed the three dead gear lights and finally registered the blaring horn. After safely landing, the pilot admitted he hadn’t fully completed the pre-landing checklist. What shocked him most was that he hadn’t even heard the warning horn. He couldn’t believe he had been so unaware of such a critical alert.
The key to making every season a great time to fly is to think and act like a professional. Stick to a regular currency schedule and integrate it into your flying routine year-round.
Professionalism as a pilot, regardless of the certificate you hold, requires an ongoing commitment to training and staying current. It’s not just about flying the plane—it also means staying up-to-date with rules and regulations, which are always evolving, and fully understanding weather reports. This level of preparation will give you the confidence to make the right decisions. Without it, flying becomes guesswork.
So, avoid the rush and make every season a great time to fly. Schedule some time with your instructor, take a refresher course, review the FARs, and seek guidance from a professional on any lingering questions. With proper preparation, you’ll be ready to truly enjoy a holiday adventure with friends and family.
Wishing you blue skies and light winds! Have a wonderful holiday season.