Weekend Warrior

If you have spent more than an hour in or around aviation, you have undoubtedly heard the term “weekend warrior” or “weekend pilot”. It is generally used in a degrading sense in regards to general aviation pilots aka GA Pilots who only come out on the weekends, or every other weekend or so fly.

There is an expectation that the “weekend warrior” will get a free pass for their lack of airmanship, knowledge of the airplane, communication skills etc. The FAA does not define weekend warrior, or pilots who only fly every other week. We are all held to the same standard every time we go fly.

I bring this up because the “weekend warrior” mentality not only effects and jeopardizes that pilot and his or her passengers, but other airplanes that share the same airspace. I cannot tell you the countless times that I have heard controllers working multiple airplanes and without fail there is someone mumbling and stuttering and drawing out a request or read-back on the frequency.

If you find yourself not flying as much as you feel you should for currency and safety, PLEASE, grab a flight instructor or even a fellow pilot to go with you and help you share the workload. There is no shame in asking for help or remedial training.

Remember, “The best safety device in any airplane is a well trained pilot”