Since the very first instance we boarded an airplane, our instructor has earnestly pleaded with us to “stay ahead of the airplane!” Back some 50 years ago, it was far simpler to shut out the outside world and concentrate solely on our flying endeavors. Nevertheless, the present scenario is starkly different. Let’s confront the truth: many of us exist in a realm rife with ceaseless interruptions, distractions, and intrusions. Our occupations have morphed from the conventional 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., five days a week, into what seems like a never-ending parade of Zoom meetings, emails, and text messages. Our smartphones, that remarkable source of weather, NOTAMs, and flight information, have also emerged as the prime culprit in numerous distracted driving and potentially flying incidents. So, why should we even bother about all this? Well, aviation presents us with the golden opportunity to switch off all these distractions and simply soar through the skies. However, even at the professional echelon, this is easier said than done.
The headlines on October 23, 2009, blared, “Airline Pilots Miss Airport by 150 Miles.” As it transpired, the pilots of an Airbus A 320 bound for Minneapolis unwittingly flew right past their scheduled destination. When finally contacted by ATC, they sheepishly turned around and touched down. As one might anticipate, this incident caught the attention of the TSA, federal and local authorities, and the international news media. By all accounts, it was undoubtedly not the pilots’ finest day.
