Page 14 - July 2022

FEATURE
Falling on the FAA Sword
by Dennis R. Haber Esq.
My mother would often console me when things weren’t going my way saying, “Into every day, a little rain must fall.” It didn’t really make me feel better, but I remembered her words.
There is a point to quoting my mother’s words that can be found in the life of every aviator who isn’t a “perfect” pilot. After all, we are human and have made mistakes. Most of those mistakes are of no consequence and get corrected quickly; some are judgment errors which can cause us problems, especially if they are flight-oriented. Once again, quoting my mother ... “Everyone makes mistakes; it’s what you do about those mistakes that really makes the difference in your life.”
Mark my words. Someday, somewhere, you will be blissfully flying along and talking to ATC, and you will hear those words that make your hair stand on end. Your chest will tighten, your blood pressure will rise as well as
12 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
your anxiety level when you hear, “Please advise when you are ready to copy our phone number. Because of possible pilot deviations, we would like you to call upon landing.” Or some variation along that theme.
As you scribble down the phone number and contemplate the tragedy that you expect to unfold, you’ll find that you’ll be asking yourself, “What did I do? How could I have been so dumb? I’m sure that ATC is making some terrible mistake.”
Should I or shouldn’t I make the call?
The answer: It all depends. (That’s what lawyers say when there is no right or wrong answer.)
JULY 2022