Please don't judge another pilot until you do all your homework. Just because it makes you nervous to depart over water, don't say that pilots who live along the coast and have no choice are not using good judgment. Anyway, I would prefer to ditch in the water rather than land in a residential area and take a chance of injuring innocent people.
If someone is that concerned about only departing from runways where a safe emergency landing can be made, they should just stay home where it's safe and watch Brady Bunch reruns. But don't eat any popcorn. You might bite into a kernel and break a molar.
Jim P. Sandras
Pass Christian, Mississippi
Throwing Darts
Regarding Ralph Butcher's article about professionalism ("Insights: Professionalism," November 2000), I would like to take exception to a potentially disparaging remark. He states that certain attitudes that cause a pilot to "retreat" into training departments, standardization departments, safety departments, and management as "hiding places," label a pilot as less than professional. Granted, there are some who do realize the career they have chosen is not the leather jacket, silk scarf, and goggles glamour job that they might have thought it was, and they choose not to leave the job for personal reasons. It has been my experience that these are the exceptions rather than the rule in these departments. I consider almost all of the pilots in these departments at my airline to be competent, professional, and zealous in all aspects of their proficiency and general airmanship.
I also find it deplorable that aviators would not continually strive to broaden their experience base and proficiency. However, some pilots, who might not seem professional to us, might be performing at a level that is appropriate for their experience and ability. Instead of casting these persons into damnation for their seeming lack of the right stuff, maybe we would do right to use the situation as a teaching opportunity.
It is, in my opinion, offensive for Butcher to imply that these departments are the haven of the incompetent and unprofessional aviator. Perhaps professionalism might be better served by including in its definition, "one who does not blindly throw darts at their peers."
Bill Krieger
Memphis, Tennessee
Runway Stop Lights
I have a suggestion to prevent runway incursions: Put red and green lights at every taxiway entrance to every runway. The red lights would always be on, except when a controller wanted to allow an airplane access to a runway.
By pushing a button for a particular intersection, the controller would shut the red light off and turn the green light on for 15 to 20 seconds. When the button was released, the light would automatically revert to red until the next plane was to be allowed onto the runway. It might sound complicated and expensive but it would be simpler and cheaper than ground radar systems.
Pilots want to do what's right. This system would reduce the number of misunderstandings and prevent pilots from accidentally crossing hold-short lines and signs that are hard to see.
Ronald T. Robbins
Via the Internet
We welcome your comments. Address letters to Editor, AOPA Flight Training, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Send e-mail to [email protected] . Letters will be edited for length and style.
