Matters of Moxie

The famous actor Errol Flynn was the king of swagger during the Golden Age of Film. His on-screen persona was the poster child for, "Hold my beer and watch this,” and his antics always succeeded.

For readers not old enough to know his name, you know him nonetheless. Somewhere in your travels, you have met a pilot who leans into risk and hears nothing of warnings. He's the pilot who flies under bridges, barrel rolls a Cessna 172 just because he's pretty sure he can, and departs the pattern at low altitude and high airspeeds — pulling as vertical as he dares, then pushing his plane over to feel the exhilaration. 

This swashbuckling pilot is attractive to some but rightfully avoided by others who know that time will eventually see him deliver a fatal performance. As the old adage goes, "There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots." 

Taking to the skies should humble you with every flight, helping ensure your actions are always in the interest of safety. 

However, you can only control your actions. Despite making good decisions about your own flying, you're subject to more risk when a rogue Errol Flynn joins the skies. 

There’s good news, though. You can do something about it  — four things, actually. 

Avoid
Don’t be in the same airspace with someone you know or suspect is reckless, either through bravado or negligence. And definitely don’t climb into the same aircraft with them.

Warn
This one’s more difficult to accomplish, not because the action is difficult to execute, but because it’s socially awkward. Tell other pilots to be on the lookout for any pilot you see creating hazards. 

Imagine how you’d feel if you didn’t speak up and Captain Macho harmed someone you could have warned. That’ll help push you past any social anxiety you have.

Confront
Swagger can be good, and this is exactly the right time to have some of your own, albeit diplomatically. Given the high stakes of flying, pilots must hold each other accountable. 

Politely but directly inform unsafe pilots that they are putting themselves and others at risk. Be specific about their unsafe actions and ask them to stop.

Report
If you witness the risky operation of an aircraft:

• First, make sure you’re not in immediate danger.
• Then contact ATC or the nearest FSDO as soon as you can do it safely. Risky operations probably involve FAR violations.

If Captain Macho won’t listen to you, he’ll have no choice but to listen to the FAA.