scottfromiowa Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I did something very stupid the other day at my home airport. Class C Cedar Rapids, IA (CID). My wife who hadn't flown with me in a while and we were departing for a two hour trip to northern Wisconsin. Winds were out of the south so I was looking forward to a tail wind. We followed a Cirrus out of the FBO hanger area onto the taxiway toward Runway 31/13. I did run-up and prepared to depart. Cirrus elected to use all of the available runway. I chose to depart at the intersection. Cirrus turned left and taxied across the runway to access the taxiway as I was completing the run-up. I told tower I would depart at intersection and was "ready for departure". As I was cleared for departure tower said expedite as traffic was on four mile final. Winds are generally out of north/north west or south west....for whatever reason I turned left and WOULD have departed WITH A TAIL WIND right into the in bound traffic. Tower said abort and make right turn ( I had NOT powered up) and of course realized what I had done...and almost done. My wife said I thought it was wrong...but trusted me and didn't say anything...in her defense the tower did a great job of getting with me quickly. In reflection I becme fixated on the Cirrus and got in a HURRY when tower asked me to expedite...and primarily take off to the north and was heading north...Simply no excuse. I expect better from myself and am sharing in hopes that others might prevent doing something similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
201er Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Good case for taking off at the end of the runway. No way of taking off the wrong direction short of being blind. Thanks for sharing. A learning experience for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Scott: One of the components of "character" is the ability to formally "mea culpa" when things have not gone as planned. Combined with an ability to learn from these things, it becomes a characteristic worthy of respect. You have mine, sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARZ Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Kudos Scott... one of the main reasons I frequent this board - to pick up all the pearls I can find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lahso Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Thanks for sharing that, Scott. Be sure to file your NASA ARC form 277 (http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/report/electronic.html) within 10 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobat95 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 The one thing I love about aviation is the ability to learn something new each and every flight. I tell this to all my students...if you ever have a flight where you don't learn something then its time to find a new job/hobby. I applaud the fact that you are on here and sharing your experience with all of us. We can all learn from others mistakes and hopefully prevent future ones. Like Mike was saying, I always use the full length of the runway as we are single engine and there is always the possibility of an engine failure. Another interesting point you mentioned was that your wife thought it was wrong but didn't say anything. I would brief her that in the future if it doesn't feel right that it is OK to speak up. Who knows when that second set of eyes can save you. So on a brighter note....how was the flight? I was very happy to get my Mooney in the air over the weekend.....not so happy about the 100 degree temps without an A/C. Thanks again Scott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottfromiowa Posted July 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 I really was expecting some "get your $#*% together" comments as I definitely berated myself pretty hard on this. Thanks for showing restraint. Especially with the recent spate of take-off accidents. I try to maintain focus and failed miserably. A reminder to me to REALLY by focused approaching an airport as "I" might be taking off... Two times Up North (our cabins are directly on final just south of airport) a nice Beech flew at about 150 knots just above trees and pulled a 60 degree bank over airport. Second time (separate day) was when an outdoor carnival on park adjacent to airport was taking place and airplane rides were being provided... What do others think of this type of buzzing? A part of me said "pretty cool" and the pilot in me said why take the chance...I don't feel this is good airmanship and taking unnessary risk in the pattern by a busy "that day" airport. My blunder was "mental error". This is in a different category, right? Or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M016576 Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Quote: scottfromiowa I really was expecting some "get your $#*% together" comments as I definitely berated myself pretty hard on this. Thanks for showing restraint. Especially with the recent spate of take-off accidents. I try to maintain focus and failed miserably. A reminder to me to REALLY by focused approaching an airport as "I" might be taking off... Two times Up North (our cabins are directly on final just south of airport) a nice Beech flew at about 150 knots just above trees and pulled a 60 degree bank over airport. Second time (separate day) was when an outdoor carnival on park adjacent to airport was taking place and airplane rides were being provided... What do others think of this type of buzzing? A part of me said "pretty cool" and the pilot in me said why take the chance...I don't feel this is good airmanship and taking unnessary risk in the pattern by a busy "that day" airport. My blunder was "mental error". This is in a different category, right? Or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantom Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 As flying hours pile up, and years tick away, I observe a level of complacency and casualness about the serious business of flying easily sets in for most of us. I try to constantly remind myself of this fact....not always successfully. Fly safe out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff_S Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Geez Scott...what an idiot! Ha, just kidding. I too will file this little experience away in the memory banks and hopefully draw on it some day in a time of need. What Gary posted reminded me of something a very wizened aviator, with military and civilian experience up the wazoo, shared at an FAA safety session I went to this Spring. He said that whenever you transition into a new plane you go through stages of the Four C's: Competence, Confidence, Comfortableness, and Complacency. It's that last one you always have to watch out for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wistarmo Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 With regards to Scott's story, the part about his wife was notable: "My wife said I thought it was wrong...but trusted me and didn't say anything." Although my M20J MSE has a Garmin 530W/430W GPS combination, my wife provides GPMS alerts and is an invaluable safety addtion to my flying. The GPMS gain, sensitivity, and volume are always automatically set at maximum. GPMS provides automatic scanning of my annunciator panel and JPI engine monitor, and if any light is on I am automatically alerted. Had I been in Scott's situation, my GPMS would have immediately alerted me to my error with an audible warning, "Are you crazy? What are you doing turning the wrong way? We're going to get killed." The GPMS alert system cannot be suspended, and there is no circuit breaker to disable it. I note that a jury last month found Cirrus not liable for the Cory Lidle crash where he struck an apartment building in NYC. This would never had happened if he had GPMS in his Cirrus. The GPMS system would have started alerting him well in advance: "HONEY, what are you doing? There's a builiding over there. Turn around, you're going to hit the building. Are you out of your mind?" On approach, GPMS insures that the gear is down as soon as the airplane is pointed at the runway, but even better than that, provides immediate feedback on your landing. The only drawback to GPMS is its cost; ongoing maintenance costs far exceed the operating costs of the plane, and to uninstall it costs 50% of everything you own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottfromiowa Posted July 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 I will work on getting my GPMS "wired for sound"...I have a great model too...I have always tried to have it off mute welcoming feedback...goood and other. Great post, had me chuckling in my motel in Sioux City, IA. Have a good night, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadrach Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Scott, Great post! I truly appreciate admissions like these. We've all had some "doh" moments, but it takes a real mensch to out himself publicly. Thank you! Since we're sharing... I made a total idiot move the other day on a short return flight. I'd decided to run the rt tank dry in preparation for patching small leak. Cockpit and wing gauges were showing near empty. I told myself that if it hadn't run dry in route that I'd switch tanks before entering the pattern. Well, I got distracted by the scenery and tower gave me a straight in... no pattern entry, no reminder. 3nm out and I had the throttle closed for maximum descent when I noticed light popping sounds from the exhaust. I looked over at the fuel pressure gauge and it was dropping. Switch tanks, boost pump on and opened throttle...engine is windmilling for ~2 sec before coming back. Was it really close??? Too close for me and it was also really stupid... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadrach Posted July 21, 2011 Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Quote: M016576 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyDave Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Great posts all - I really like the GPMS system! One time when I still had my Cherokee, I was departing Livermore (KLVK) and the wind was howling from the south. I was so focussed on the wind and the airplane bouncing around, I pulled right up to the hold bars and my GPMS system asked if I was going to do a run-up....Doh!! Funny things these GPMS systems. Mine states that she it does not want to learn about the IFR environment but still keeps a pretty close eye on me (frequencies, altitude, heading, check-in). A second set of eyes is a GREAT THING in the cockpit. Scott - Glad you got back off the runway without incident. But do have the audible alert on your GPMS system adjusted . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARZ Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 OK - I'll bite - what does GPMS stand for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jax88 Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 My GPMS is equpped with music output (though it is random and includes vocals only) and reminders for travel times, thirst, and hunger. I'm beginning to think mine has a loose wire, as not only is the music output random, the automatic switching of radio and transponder frequencies is often random as well. I suspect a fully functioning GPMS is a wonderful tool to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywarrior Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 The Bob & Tom radio show once did a bit abut a GPS Navigation system for autos that was very similar to a GPMS. It was called the "Nagigator". "Why didn't you take that last exit?" Etc. Chuck M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooneyMitch Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 I have a fully functioning GPMS system in my aircraft. However, there is no way to disable it or mute it. Her name is Jolie Lucas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooney65E Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 I love my GPMS unit as it is IFR capable providing a wealth of knowledge and also has a blattery life of 6 hours for those long cross country flights. As with most cockpit gadgets we often want to upgrade to a unit with more memory as technology progresses. NOT ME! My GPMS unit has too much memory and tends to remind me of the times I taxied on to an active rwy prior to receiving clearance...blew an airspace when not paying attention...etc. etc. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlunseth Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Oh, heck, you can always disable the GPMS. Switch your comm to ISO. Most of us just never think to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 My [unrated] GPMS sometimes thinks she it is a flight instructor and tries to "correct" my landings. At other times, I find destinations pre-programmed into the GPS. Traffic is often pointed out on the intercom before the same traffic is pointed out over the radio, a very nice function! I am also upbraided for putting the one bag [of many that I loaded] with food back in the cargo area instead of within arms' reach, but I don't mind having my flight bag there instead. Maybe someday my GPMS system can be upgraded to IFR-capable, but right now the VFR-only system seems to function quite well. In IFR, it shuts down competely, eyes closed, head lolling . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlunseth Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Quote: Mooney65E I love my GPMS unit as it is IFR capable providing a wealth of knowledge and also has a blattery life of 6 hours for those long cross country flights. As with most cockpit gadgets we often want to upgrade to a unit with more memory as technology progresses. NOT ME! My GPMS unit has too much memory and tends to remind me of the times I taxied on to an active rwy prior to receiving clearance...blew an airspace when not paying attention...etc. etc. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantom Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 I know of somebody in dire need of a GPMS, but he's holding out until the Garmin "bulletproof" version is released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex Posted July 22, 2011 Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 Quote: fantom I know of somebody in dire need of a GPMS, but he's holding out until the Garmin "bulletproof" version is released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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