Caution, another rant.

BravoHotel

BravoHotel

Well-Known Member
So, today descending back into the airport, there is a dark celing at maybe 12,000 feet, and scattered clouds down to 7000 feet. There is a lot of radio chatter, a lot of glider activity, students etc. I decide to turn on my landing light for higher visibility... not thinking any thing of this action, like driving with your head lights on...

So I taxi over to get fuel, performing my shutdown procedures...Here comes bossman making a B-line for me...Thinking to my self, what did I do THIS time??? Apparently landing with the light on is a big no no in his book. That lamp is 12 bucks...I told him what I had it on for, he didn't buy it, said make radio calls...What the heck do you think I do? I said why do always challenge my PIC decision making? Citing other operators who have lights on when they fly out of that airport. Then he kind of became a little quieter after that.

Before you guys break out the flame throwers...this is a constant battle I have with this guy, not an isolated incident. My decision making is usually based on a safety stand point... I could go on and on, but I won't.

Fly safe.
 
Man...after reading a couple of your threads and now this. I would seriously try and find another job and quit ASAP. This guy sounds like an asshat.
 
Wonder what he says when you are landing at night?

Tell him to put it into his FAA-approved Ops Manual. Then you'll be happy to comply.
 
Is/was SOP in places not to use the landing light for daytime operations (use the taxi light)...

ERAU West did this until it got those high intensity lights so they can now fly around with those puppies on to their hearts content.
 
jhugz said:
Man...after reading a couple of your threads and now this. I would seriously try and find another job and quit ASAP. This guy sounds like an asshat.
Click to expand...

Interview Tuesday. I am looking...can't tell Mr. Bossman I am going out of town for an interview otherwise I would be with out a job...So I am going to "see a girl" which is true, but I omit the other detail.
 
Hawks said:
Interview Tuesday. I am looking...can't tell Mr. Bossman I am going out of town for an interview otherwise I would be with a job...So I am going to "see a girl" which is true, but I omit the other detail.
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Good...get it and bail.
 
cencal83406 said:
Is/was SOP in places not to use the landing light for daytime operations (use the taxi light)...

ERAU West did this until it got those high intensity lights so they can now fly around with those puppies on to their hearts content.
Click to expand...

I should have specifically stated I had the taxi light on, which I did.
 
Single pistons that have the landing light on the cowling are prone to burning out quickly due to the vibration and ends up being pretty costly to replace them ALL the time.

With that said I would have done the same thing in your situation. The landing light is there for safety as well as night ops. I'm pretty sure there is an AC that says the light should be on AT ALL TIMES within 10 miles of an airport you are landing or departing.
 
jhugz said:
Man...after reading a couple of your threads and now this. I would seriously try and find another job and quit ASAP. This guy sounds like an asshat.
Click to expand...


Easy to say for Mr. Employed by a new company!:D

Edit to add: Hawks when your done, you should go and "water down" his desk when you tell him you are quiting....
 
First off, you did the right thing by turning the light on in the first place, and I might have asked him which he would rather replace, the light, or the airframe after the mid-air.

But...did you taxi in with the light on? Where were you when he saw the light on? Did he see you on final or after you rolled into the parking area? You didn't say if you had shut it off asap after landing, which is what you might want to do in the future, or even shut it off on short final if you think he's going to throw another hissy fit.

And find a new bossman, this guy's obviously a jackass.
 
js0305 said:
With that said I would have done the same thing in your situation. The landing light is there for safety as well as night ops. I'm pretty sure there is an AC that says the light should be on AT ALL TIMES within 10 miles of an airport you are landing or departing.
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I've heard this too, and I tend to follow it. But, my question is this. How many times, during the day, has another plane's landing light helped you find them while scanning for traffic?
 
Hawks said:
I told him what I had it on for, he didn't buy it, said make radio calls...What the heck do you think I do? I said why do always challenge my PIC decision making? Citing other operators who have lights on when they fly out of that airport. Then he kind of became a little quieter after that.
Click to expand...

You are right. Perhaps "he" is the one who needs another job. I have seen managers like him myself. Here is some info for you (him).


Use all aircraft lighting to help other pilots see your aircraft.
Be a part of the FAA’s “Operation Lights On” safety program
by using your landing light on approach, departure, and​

climbout – especially within 10 miles of any airport.
http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/sa15.pdf


js0305 said:
Single pistons that have the landing light on the cowling are prone to burning out quickly due to the vibration and ends up being pretty costly to replace them ALL the time.
Click to expand...
FWIW.....Mounting the bulb with the filament vertical instead of horizontal "may" help extend the bulb's life.
 
SIUav8er said:
Just tell him that landing lights are cheaper than mid airs
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You know what though?


I'd bet $100 that this manager sounds like the type of guy who, if there were ever a midair and the OP didn't survive it, this manager would be the one telling the NTSB/FAA/media "....I dont know HOW MANY times I've told that pilot of mine to make sure he flies with his landing light on, for JUST this reason! I have no idea why he had it turned off...."
 
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