Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihnp4.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!cfiaime
From: cfiaime@ihnp4.UUCP (Jeff Williams)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Employee flying on company business
Message-ID: <799@ihnp4.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 7-Jun-85 10:03:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihnp4.799
Posted: Fri Jun  7 10:03:36 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 8-Jun-85 03:43:31 EDT
References: <574@terak.UUCP> <3775@alice.UUCP> <104@ulose.UUCP> <589@terak.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 44

> > Restricting an employee's mode of transport does not generate a good
> > atmosphere. Generally, if someone is a pilot they would be more likely
> > to kill themselves while flying for their own enjoyment...
> 
> I disagree strongly.  Pilots do not fly in thunderstorms "for their
> own enjoyment."  Pilots do not fly planes with known problems in the
> landing gear "for their own enjoyment".
> 
> The FAA and the press muddy the waters considerably when they refer to
> "personal pleasure" flying.  In most cases, this does *not* mean flying
> "for their own enjoyment".  It usually means "making a vacation trip by
> plane."  There is a huge difference, because vacation trips are often
> accompanied by the same pressures of having schedules to meet that
> business trips are.

I wish to disagree with Doug.  Most of the accidents in general aviation
are cause by people flying into weather that they can't handle.  If the
pilot is properly qualified (instrument rated, current), keeps up with
weather information in flight, and does not fly junk aircraft, the 
possiblity of completing the flight safely is quite high.  

This is why I advocate the following criteria for flying on company
business:
	1.  Instrument rating - self evident

	2.  Six month instrument competency check - maintain instrument
		currency, keep from developing bad habits

	3.  Instrument equipped airplane (a single radio Cessna 150
		could probably qualify) - use the rating, schedule
		reliability

	4.  Annual participation in the Pilot Proficiency Program -
		the record speaks for itself as to the decrease in
		accidents for pilots who participate

Notice, I don't advocate the 30 hour per year Private Pilot with
no instrument rating flying on company business.  If you want to fly on
company business, give yourself the best chance of doing so safely and
with reliability.

				Jeff Williams
				AT&T Bell Laboratories
				ihnp4!cfiaime