Pressure To Perform Regardless The Cost

There is nothing more stressful than being pressured to do something you do not want to do. And no where is that more evident than in Aviation. Flight crews are in a constant state of training, whether it be studying and understanding the many rules and regulations that make up the flying world, and there are many, or practicing the hands on applications of those rules and regulations. The majority of flight crews are also fairly intelligent and level headed, most know their limitations, when to say a particular maneuver or situation is more than they feel comfortable performing. Inevitably a flight crew will be confronted with the old “wrench thrown into the gears” of their safety zone. Seldom is it self inflicted but unfortunately there are exceptions. Typically though, pressure to aviate outside the safe environment of what you know you can do and into the fog of the unknown can be overpowering. Ego, fear of losing your job, loss of respect, the list is long in the reasoning to go where you know you shouldn’t. If you pull it off you get the nod of approval or the pat on your back. On the other hand should luck not be with you the only nod is that of the funeral director to lower your remains in to everlasting solitude There have been numerous occasions in my many years of flight experience where I personally saved the life or potential injury of an individual, their family, friends and coworkers by simply saying “no can do” or more appropriately “no will do”.

A very high ranking officer in the military once told me he wanted to get somewhere but I would have to fly close to the ground at a high rate of speed so as not to be observed by the opposition training forces. Training, regulations, and protocol required me to reduce airspeed when flying close to the ground. I conveyed to the General the requirements adding my concern about placing ourselves in a dangerous situation should we experienced a mechanical failure. His anecdote was he survived three crashes and to do as I was told. The pressure in the aircraft was tremendous. Two short months later we buried two of my aviator brethren for practicing exactly what caused my confrontation with someone who was not a pilot nor understood aircraft and crew capabilities. Sometimes saying “Sorry Charlie” could be the safest thing a flight crew could do. Don’t let pressure kill you.
An excellent video of the area my confrontational incident took place is available for viewing at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX-MQ9SDEtA My aircraft was larger and not as agile as the aircraft in the video. An example of the exhileration and speed of earth skimming flight can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SloCREJoV6o&NR=1