01.20.2012 | Share
I have had the privilege of working and participating in two Safety Standdowns in 2011. As a pilot I have always been aware of the importance of safety in flying. Even with twelve years experience as a professional pilot I walked away with a great deal to think about. When I am in the cockpit now I think back to some of the seminars, particularly Pat Daily’s talk in China about events that, while seemingly unimportant at the time, will lead to accidents down the road.
Aside from flying airplanes, I participate in activities where safety is a big factor. I began working with a few wild mustangs this past summer to get them able to be ridden. This takes a lot of patience and time. It also has the potential to be very dangerous, with a 1000 pound horse that may not want to cooperate.
As I began this I kept what I’ve learned about SMS and safety in the forefront of my planning. I set up procedures to execute each exercise the horses and I are going to work, and I always have a contingency plan that will get me out of harms way when things get sideways. Safety Standdown, and Pat’s talk in particular have really given me a good place to start planning each day out there in the ring.
I’ve also started to teach my teenage son to drive…. You can image how much we talk about safety in that “cockpit.”
I look forward to participating in future Safety Standdown events and spreading the word to promote safety within our fine industry.
Fly safely,
Jason Karadimas
Bombardier Flight Operations
Demonstration Pilot and Safety Standdown Ambassador
