Personal Minimums and Your Flying Experience
Published on June 2022
Why do otherwise competent pilots with 250 hours in their logbook have the highest risk of serious accidents? In this essay, veteran aviator Mike Jones tackles the deadly illusion of early competence, drawing on lessons from aviation tragedies like JFK Jr.'s fatal flight. Jones outlines a smart, four-stage playbook to help rookie aviators survive their transit through the danger zone. His tips include a ban on carrying passengers for the first 100 hours, limit the weather options, learn by flying new-to-you aircraft, and the great learning that comes from conquering unfamiliar airports. Packed with hard-earned wisdom, this article is a must-read for anyone mentoring new aviators or sharpening their own decision-making skills.
