Jeff's 10 Rules

for Survival

1. Always assume the worst will happen on every flight, i.e.;

a. Think that the engine will fail on takeoff.

b. The tire's will blowout on takeoff or landing.

c. Communications or system failures will occur.

d. The weather will always get worse than you anticipate.

2. Always leave yourself a back door, options or second chance.  Never commit to one single option.

3. Compute all your performance figures on a worse case scenario, then add another ten (10) percent.  This is the 10% that will keep you out of trouble.

4. When you are tired, make sure you recognize your fatigue, and consciously break the chains of events that may be occurring.

5. Learn to say "NO" when you suspect a situation could get out of hand.

6. Don't ever try to accomplish something just because someone else did it before, i.e.;

a. Fly a longer than normal leg.

b. Fly to low minimums.

c. Do aerobatics or low level "fancy" flying.

d. Land or takeoff on short, contaminated runways that, in your judgment, are marginal or suspicious.

7. Believe in yourself and your crew before you believe in anyone else, such as FSS, airport workers, or bartenders.

8. Cover your ass with both your hands.

9. Check, double check, and triple check every single facet of your flight.

DETAILS CAN BE LIFE OR DEATH IN YOUR CHOSEN OCCUPATION.

10. Be the best and safest pilot in the world by maintaining a professionally conservative posture in all your flight operations decisions.

Trust in God . . . He's the best co-pilot you will ever have.