Pilots have to undergo rigorous and extensive training in order to be licensed to fly. And pilots of all aircraft are held to the highest safety standards. This is because during the flight, pilots must take every precaution to ensure they are executing all tasks correctly. Not doing so could have fatal consequences.
When a pilot makes a mistake and fails to operate the plane or helicopter with the highest degree of care, that pilot puts not just him or herself in grave danger, but also any passengers and anyone on the ground below.
For example, in addition to operating the aircraft properly and in a proper condition (as in, not intoxicated or overtired), pilots must also evaluate their situations with the highest degree of care:
- Pilots must accurately evaluate the weather conditions in order to take necessary steps and precautions, such as in-flight de-icing
- Pilots must accurately calculate the weight and load of the plane to ensure the aircraft remains balanced, upon takeoff and as fuel is burned and the weight of the load shifts
- Pilots must accurately assess the distance from objects or the ground – particularly during a landing, as a miscalculation could mean a serious crash
This means that they cannot make a mistake – no lights can be overlooked, no knobs can be left unturned, no warning signs can be ignored – the smallest misstep can mean an airborne vehicle can be grounded without warning or ability to stop it.