Freight Dog
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 2,232
I read somewhere how "a pilot did not want to declare an emergency to avoid the paperwork." Supposedly, this guy lost an engine in a Cessna and was high enough to make the field, and "not wanting to deal with paperwork" was his reason for not declaring an emergency. I heard this from many other people, and I'm wondering what the hell are the CFI's teaching these days??
My CFI taught me that if in doubt... declare an emergency. At all of my 135 jobs, if in problem, declare emergency.
A few months ago, I was an FO on the flight where we declared an emergency as a precautionary measure and diverted. The only "paperwork" was an irregularity report which was complete in 5 minutes, which was company-required and FAA gets a copy of it. In the aftermath, we didn't hear a thing about it. No additional paperwork, no hassles, etc.
So the question is....
Why are people hesitant to declare an emergency due to misconception of paperwork, especially given the fact that by declaring emergency you also cover your butt in case you bust an FAR??
My CFI taught me that if in doubt... declare an emergency. At all of my 135 jobs, if in problem, declare emergency.
A few months ago, I was an FO on the flight where we declared an emergency as a precautionary measure and diverted. The only "paperwork" was an irregularity report which was complete in 5 minutes, which was company-required and FAA gets a copy of it. In the aftermath, we didn't hear a thing about it. No additional paperwork, no hassles, etc.
So the question is....
Why are people hesitant to declare an emergency due to misconception of paperwork, especially given the fact that by declaring emergency you also cover your butt in case you bust an FAR??