Episode 87: Safety Pilot
From "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast by AOPA Air Safety Institute
September 16, 2025 · 35 min · Episode 87
About this episode
Bob Thomason shares a harrowing experience as a safety pilot during a tense IMC approach.
Bob Thomason recounts a tense IMC approach as safety pilot for a friend facing a cancer diagnosis. When his friend panics and fights the autopilot, Bob must intervene to stabilize the aircraft.
People in this episode
Guest: Bob Thomason
Topics covered
- aviation safety
- IMC approach
- pilot intervention
- emergency situations
- friendship
- mental health
Keywords
- safety pilot
- IMC approach
- aviation
- cancer diagnosis
- pilot panic
- aircraft stabilization
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: AOPA Air Safety Institute
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