EXERCISING YOUR PIC AUTHORITY

A Piper PA-28-161 was approaching it’s home airport KMLB in Florida. ATC instructed the pilot to expect runway 9R even though winds were from the west at 4 kts (a tailwind). The pilot transmitted “we cannot accept a tailwind—request runway 27 or 23”. The controller replied “you can’t take a 4 kt tailwind with a 10,000 foot runway?—I will have to turn the entire operation around for you”. The pilot replied “no, our flight school’s SOPs forbid us from taking off and landing with a tailwind”.

Apparently this message struck a chord with the controller and he instructed the pilot to expect runway 27L and that he was changing the entire airport to west operations after a jet on final approach lands. The controller stated “we really don’t know what is actually happening with the wind until somebody says something”.

Takeaway: FAR 91.3 states “the pilot in command of an aircraft is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft”. This means you, the PIC, decide which runway you takeoff and land on, not ATC. It is our responsibility to advise ATC that their operations pose a risk to aviation. The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook warns us that accepting a tailwind during takeoff or landing could result in a very bad day. As a matter of fact most small and large jet aircraft are limited to a maximum 10kt tailwind per their airplane flight manual (AFM).

If something doesn’t look safe, tell the controller. They just might take your advice!

Fly safe friends