Children and Pet Planning - Tips for You
The cockpit is no place for unnecessary distractions. During these summer months a collection of pets, children and relatives who have never flown before are pitched into aircraft. The smell of are everywhere. How can you avoid, to some extent, these distractions?
- First, decide where each person is going to sit. Don't forget to place yourself in the left front seat! If you can, have another adult in the right front seat. Each child, except an infant, should have their own seat belt or restraining device that you can purchase at aviation speciality stores. A supportive pillow under a restraining device for small children allows them to see out preventing boredom.
- Sunglasses are a good idea to prevent eye damage.
- Don't let the passengers drink carbonated beverages before the flight. Air bubbles, in the drink, expand as you climb to cruise level and cause discomfort in little tummies.
- Take along a favorite toy. When interest wanes become a talking travelogue pointing out the sights below.
- If " bumpy" conditions are expected "up-chuck" bags, paper towels and an air disinfectant are wonderful tools that need no explanation.
- Pets should be on an attached short leash to prevent panic.
- A hungry dog is better than a fed dog before a flight. Nothing worse than a dog or cat getting sick on the kids!
- If airsickness is a continual problem consult a physician about appropriate anti-nausea medication.
- If you are on a long flight, break it up into two hour segments to give everybody stretch and potty time.
- Finally, keep your hops short, keep out of bad weather or critical flying conditions and land before nightfall.
Fatigue and Flying
FAA Report on Fatigue - Read First
I experienced this when I attempted to take off from Denver Stapelton Airport, a number of years ago, in a Beechcraft Bonanza after a "trying day" filled with traffic delays, missed appointments and general disappointment with the tremendous growth in the Colorado Springs - Denver corridor. My plane just seemed very under-powered as it sluggishly plowed down the runway. Opps! I came from Michigan to Colorado. Altitude change - and I forgot to properly lean out the mixtureon the engine before takeoff. Fatigue! You better believe it!
Fatigue is a slippery trouble-maker that is disquised and is caused by a variety of factors listed above. Trying day, traffic delay, missed appointments - these are all psychological fatigue factors that are just as important as physical fatigue. A pilot must be aware of these issues and how it could impair his flying performance. Thankfully, I came awake a few seconds after take-off roll began and slowly leaned the engine out for a normal high altitude tak-off.
It could have been far worse. Fear, anxiety, emotional strain, noise, high altitude, boredom and immobility can all cause a decrease in standards of performance, faulty memory, impaired judgement, slower reaction time and an increased susceptibility to visual illusions and hallucinations.
Even while driving long distances, in a car, a break now and then, can ward off fatigue. Other things a pilot can do to prevent fatigue is get a good night's sleep or plenty of rest before flying. Don't use alcohol, medication or drugs within 24 hours of a flight. Yes, I am a 24 hour man! I drink Joe, as you know, and it helps increase your attention. Wearing earplugs can reduce fatigue from noise.
You need, as a pilot, to recognize that a wandering mind, snappish attitude and loss of your sense of humor are symptoms of fatigue. Difficulty concentrating, inattentive to small details or you skip routine pre-flight or inflight checks are also signs of fatique.
Coffee, cold air, stretching or eating a candy bar to raise blood sugar can help. Fatigue can creep up on you. If you can't shake fatigue - land! Common sense about the dangers of fatigue carry over from the Highway to the Skyway. Don't become a fatality statistic.
