AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 32

FLYWELL

BY DR. JONATHAN M. SACKIER

On cloud nine

H

ow to reach cloud nine? Fly frequently, safely, basking in the glow of recognition of the higher life form you truly are—pilot. The phrase

Preflight of all carbon-based life

forms boarding the aircraft—pilot, passengers, or pets—is critical.

(how to say this politely?) non-fuel-tank gas. Avoid beans, roughage, or carbonated beverages. Take the right food and drink on board. I love taking neophytes flying, hopefully inspiring some to join our ranks. To ensure passengers enjoy positive experiences, pick good flying weather, brief thoroughly, and avoid silly stunts— vomit all over pristine cabins leads to one fewer future pilot and an unpleasant cleaning job. I talk to my passengers the day before to confirm their “cloud nine” is of questionable origin, but because desire to fly, explain the plan, and include them in Jonathan M. I enjoy Bill Bryson’s writing, I’m going with his the preparatory process, simultaneously educatSackier has explanation: In 1806 an English pharmacist named ing and inspiring confidence. practiced Luke Howard developed the cloud classification I also inquire about health issues to uncover medicine in the that is still used today. An 1896 atlas referenced anything that might compromise their enjoyment United States cloud #9 as cumulonimbus, the fluffiest to see— or safety, such as heart or lung problems, a tenfor 20 years. although as we know, not to fly through! dency to vertigo, or risk of venous thrombosis. Prior to ascent, route planning is followed by Will they be able to enjoy the wild blue yonder, or diligent meteorological review and thorough aircraft checks. will supplemental oxygen be needed? Consider that a history Repetition may not “transform a lie into truth,” as Franklin of smoking impairs altitude tolerance. Do they use medicaDelano Roosevelt said, but it may prevent us from messing up tions? If so, ensure a supply is on board. I also proffer the perfectly good airplanes. So let’s repeat: Preflight of all carbon- same preflight food advice. Encourage passengers to use the based life forms boarding the aircraft is critical, too. facilities before takeoff—most of us do not have bathrooms aloft. Dr. Ian Fries, well-known physician and aviator, provided his own excellent mnemonic: BEST OF PLANS. B: Belts—confirm seatbelt knowledge. E: Exits—location, method, and timing of operation. S: Speaking—when passengers can and cannot talk. T: Touching—what not to touch. Keep your minds out of the gutter! O: Oxygen—when and how to use, and avoid smoking; it Acronyms such as IM SAFE are useful and worth reviewing. kills in more ways than you thought. F: Have I forgotten anything? Ask yourself these questions: I: Illness. Am I sick or becoming unwell? P: Plans—flight plan and willingness to terminate the flight M: Medications. Am I taking anything that could either for uncomfortable passengers. interfere with safe flight or upset the FAA should one of its Children’s brains deserve special protection, so please think representatives visit? about hypoxia. This doesn’t apply to teenagers, for as we know, S: Stress. Is anything worrying me? When facing aeronau- they are much smarter than us. Also check that youngsters tical challenges that normally wouldn’t faze you, stress can really want to go flying. They may not express their fears as impair judgment, leading to unpleasant consequences. confidently as adults; have a private word with them. A: Alcohol. Have I consumed adult beverages recently? Eight Ensure pets are have been fed and given an opportunity to hours is oft quoted, but booze effects outlast the time during relieve themselves. Arrange warm, comfortable seating with which alcohol can be detected with blood tests. Dehydration, restraints, providing ear protection and oxygen if necessary. headache, impaired sleep, and other symptoms suggest a lon- A waterproof seat cover is a good idea. ger interval makes sense. I started by mentioning clouds and referencing Bill F: Fatigue. Have I slept enough? Fatigue contributes to Bryson; he described fog as “merely a cloud that lacks the will many aviation accidents. Few of us would write a critical docu- to fly.” Don’t let your passengers be foggy on what is involved ment or drive long distances when tired—why fly if weary? in flight. Clarity of health knowledge is as important as clear E: Eating. Are you well nourished and hydrated? Have you weather. eaten the right foods? Another topic for future coverage, but focusing on one issue here—don’t eat anything liable to create E-mail the author at jonathan.sackier@aopa.org. 32 • FEBRUARY
2011

AOPA PILOT •



AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011

AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011
Contents
President’s Position
Hangar Talk
AOPA Media
AOPA Action
Letters
Waypoints
Proficient Pilot
License to Learn
Pilot Counsel
Fly Well
Pilot Briefing
Compelling Kestrel
Movie and TV Star
Safety Pilot Landmark Accidents: Into Thin Air
Postcards: Trek to Northern Canada
Curious Cargoes
Eyes Above the Forest
The Nation’s Quirkiest Airports
Challenges: Rock ’n Roll
Landing Insights: From the Trenches
Crossover Classic Sweepstakes: Panel Power
Technique: Quick Tips for The G1000
Avionics: Traffic Roundup
Never Again
Fly by Wire
Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - President’s Position
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Hangar Talk
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - AOPA Media
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - AOPA Action
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 14
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 15
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 16
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 18
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Letters
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 21
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 22
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 23
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Waypoints
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 25
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Proficient Pilot
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 27
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - License to Learn
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Pilot Counsel
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 31
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Fly Well
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 33
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Pilot Briefing
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 35
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 36
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 37
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 38
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 39
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 40
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 41
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 42
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 43
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Compelling Kestrel
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 45
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 46
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 47
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 48
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 49
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Movie and TV Star
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 52
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 54
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 55
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Safety Pilot Landmark Accidents: Into Thin Air
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 57
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 58
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 59
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Postcards: Trek to Northern Canada
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 61
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 62
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 63
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 64
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 65
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 66
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 67
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 68
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 69
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Curious Cargoes
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 71
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 72
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 73
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Eyes Above the Forest
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 75
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 76
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 77
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 78
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 79
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 80
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - The Nation’s Quirkiest Airports
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 82
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 83
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 84
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Challenges: Rock ’n Roll
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 86
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 87
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 88
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Landing Insights: From the Trenches
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 90
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 91
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 92
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Crossover Classic Sweepstakes: Panel Power
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 94
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 95
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 96
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Technique: Quick Tips for The G1000
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 98
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 99
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 100
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Avionics: Traffic Roundup
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 102
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 103
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Never Again
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 105
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 106
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 107
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Fly by Wire
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 109
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 110
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - 111
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Pilots
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - February 2011 - Cover4
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