Originally Posted by
Adlerdriver
Yes, I get it. Spelling is hard
You want to get your message across with a minimum of distractions, then work a little harder at it. Kind of tough to blame an iPad or typing difficulties when you're consistently typing an extra "o" on purpose.
But, whatever... moving on.
So, you're talking about the "idea" a few posts ago where you sound like the Tony Robbins of aviation with the power of a positive attitude? Okay, let's talk about that idea.
The whole reason we're on this tangent is some guy in a Saratoga decided to fly an approach with the wx at 500 RVR. That's what everyone's discussing with respect to single engine IFR.
You get on here with the "do that pilot #%!" speech along with "If I think happy thoughts and don't give up all will be ok because I'm the PIC with the final say on my flight"
You post contradicts itself. On the one hand, you acknowledge losing an engine in IMC is a pretty big problem:
"Unfortunately if you loose your engine in IMC (day or night) you will likely not be able to see your best option until it is too late." (yikes! sound like "a world of hurt")
But then there's this:
"If you following procedures, utilizing resources, relying on your training, and utilizing your brain- then there is no reason you should be in a world of hurt."
No reason? Other than that stuff you said earlier about glide distance, only so many landing spots, not much choice and not being able to see your best option until it's
too late. So, which is it?
It also sounds like you're picturing losing your engine at cruise in IMC, setting up a proper glide, getting help from your passenger (who may also be a pilot), using ATC to help while you peruse your weather brief for the best options and save the day. Sure... it could happen.
Everyone
else is talking about being on a 2 mile final to the 500 RVR airport or worse, maybe on the missed approach and the spinner stops spinning. Your passenger is looking out at the same clouds you are, what is he going to do for you? I guess he could help tighten your seat belt for the impact and punch you in the face out of principle for being there in the first place. ATC is the tower at that point. Other than confirming the vis is indeed 500 RVR, telling you the tower is physically in the tops as well and they can't see sh!t and asking nicely if you'd check 10 left or right and not wreck their approach lights, what are they going to do? Reaching over and picking up your weather brief for some quick reading at that point is probably going to earn you another punch from your passenger because even he knows that's not going to help at that point.
I can see that I have struck a chord with you
So I guess I will respond to your post bit by bit.
1. You are correct that I would like to get my point across with a minimal amount of distractions. No argument there. However in a cost vs. reward approach, I have absolutely no reason to try harder. I'm not on here to impress anybody with spelling (or really anything else for that matter). I just don't see a ROI for trying harder to spell correctly on an internet forum.
2. Honestly your Tony Robbins comment was funny. I can see how it would sound that way. So yes I will ride with it.
3. Now to the meat and potatoes of this whole thing. Do you not agree with the fact that the PIC is the final authority, and ultimately responsible for the outcome of the flight? I never said all would be OKAY, rather that you as the PIC have options and do not have to be in a world of pain. Is it entirely possible that things will end with fatalities. Certainly, but that is absolutely no reason not to work towards a safe successful outcome.
Lets talk about those resources I mentioned previously. ATC is a huge help in an emergency. In cruise they can point you in the direction of an airfield, a field, somewhere that may have post accident resources. That sort of thing. Oh yes and in a pinch they may be able to give you localizer frequencies and courses. Your passenger can hold and read a checklist, not rocket science. Even a non pilot passenger can assist in this area.
Now the weather/ pilot briefing. Will you be pulling this out when your engine quits? Nope, you should have received and familiarized yourself with this document before you ever took off. Prior planning prevents **** poor performance. It sounds as though you may be advocating waiting until something catastrophic happens to do what should have been done a long time ago. Surely you don't mean that.
Lets talk about the 500RVR 2 mile final and the engine quits. What can ATC do for you? Send those trucks rolling! Yes turn you so you don't hit the approach lights (that may hurt, we want to avoid pain, remember?). That passenger can open a door (egress after the crash). Oh and lets not forget those procedures. Time willing, you may be able to either A) get the engine restarted, or B) secure the systems to prevent a fire. Both have value.
I must say, I am actually quite surprised that there is such a resigned attitude here. Is it possible that you may not survive such an unfortunate incident? Yes. Given that possibility, you owe it to yourself and your passengers to do EVERYTHING possible to avoid that possibility. That starts long before you ever take off. Moral of the story, just because you cannot see your landing spot until the last second does not mean that you are dead. Rather given that possibility, doing everything I have discussed here, before you get to that point, will improve your odds.
Now I'm going to own my Tony Robbins title: Only YOU can increase your odds of survival in the worst of situations. You do this by proficiency, planning, resource utilization, and by NOT GIVING UP!
Oh yes I almost forgot, Adlerdriver you did not answer my question about what kind of person that makes you. Don't worry you do not have to answer. Keep this in mind though, my Tony Robbins approach may have real value (or none at all). We wont get to discovery the truth if all we ever do is nitpick grammer and spelin.