TOP REAL PILOT STORY TRAPPED BY MACHTELD SMITH ON TIME TO REACH FOR HELP AVIATION MISHAPS INCLUDE MANY INSTANCES OF SITUATIONS WHERE PILOTS WERE RELUCTANT TO CONFESS THEY WERE IN TROUBLE AND DIDN'T ASK FOR HELP. AS A RESULT, LIVES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED WERE LOST. SO AS PILOTS AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE WHEN IT'S TIME TO ASK FOR HELP AND BE CLEAR THAT IT'S OK TO FESS UP.