AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025 - 24

SAFETY SPOTLIGHT
Unforgettable
Improving safety through storytelling
BY MIKE GINTER / Senior Vice President,
AOPA Air Safety Institute
IT WAS A dark, moonless night near the island of Corsica as I
flew the S-3B Viking on a sub-hunting mission in the central
Mediterranean Sea. Flying at 200 knots and 400 feet over the
water with virtually no horizon had become routine during this
six-month deployment of the USS America. On this mission, we
had successfully located our target-a U.S. attack submarine posing
as a Soviet sub-on our forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera.
At that moment, I could not resist leaning across the cockpit
at the FLIR display in front of my co-pilot's seat to watch that
submarine's mast slice through the wavetops. I did not realize that
I had nudged the control stick forward and to the left. Neither
my right seater nor I noticed that the vertical speed indicator had
dipped to an 800-fpm rate of descent in a 20-degree bank to the
left. At that moment, we had 30 seconds to water impact.
Some moments are impossible to forget. Our first solo is
a perfect example-the moment when the wheels leave the
ground and it's just you and the sky; the incredible sensation of
accomplishment, freedom, and mastery of the aerodynamic forces
keeping you aloft. Or perhaps a near-death experience that still
sends a shiver down your spine 35 years later-as if you were right
back there again, experiencing the shock and fear the instant you
realized you made a mistake, and the outcome may not be good.
These memories stick with us forever thanks to the emotions
they elicit-excitement, anxiety, pride, and terror. They are the
foundation of unforgettable stories.
Stories-especially personal, meaningful ones-grab our
attention in ways that plain facts just can't. When we tell the
story of a memorable flight, we're not just telling what happened;
we're reliving the sights, sounds, and emotions. Stories about fear,
danger, or close calls stick with us too, maybe even more. That " this
could happen to me " feeling sinks in, making us pay attention and
learn on a deeper level. That's the magic of storytelling-it taps into
different parts of our brain, making those memories unforgettable.
In aviation, where safety is everything, memorable stories can
literally be lifesaving. The AOPA Air Safety Institute has been in
the safety education business since 1950. We've gained insights
from numerous studies and articles in support of the notion that
storytelling stands among the most powerful learning methods.
A good story transforms complex information into relatable,
memorable insights by deeply engaging learners. By connecting
24
AOPA PILOT / January 2025
emotionally with the audience, storytelling activates multiple parts
of the brain tied to language, sensory experiences, and emotional
processing, which creates a richer, more enduring understanding
of the material. Stories also enable people to visualize and connect
personally with content, building a framework for deeper
comprehension and retention of complex concepts that improve
learning outcomes. We've embraced storytelling to reach pilots
on a personal level with one main goal: to influence thinking or
decision making to prevent accidents. Through our Early Analysis,
Accident Case Study, and Real Pilot Story videos, we tell stories
of real flights gone bad. All three analyze the decision-making
processes and circumstances, but they end differently: Early
Analysis and Accident Case Study videos, sadly, end in tragedy,
while in Real Pilot Story videos, the pilots lived to tell their story.
The general aviation accident record-despite its improvement
over the past three decades and record-low rates-shows that
we're seeing the same tragic accident causes year after year. What
is maddening is that we know exactly how to see and avoid these
accidents. Well, at least most of us do.
On that fateful night over the Mediterranean Sea 35 years ago,
I noticed the descent rate when my altimeter passed 200 feet, and
I abruptly initiated a climb (to the surprise of my crew). I had been
distracted for a full 15 seconds-and we almost paid the ultimate
price. This and other experiences gained over my Navy career are
etched in my memory not only because of the adrenaline, but also
because of the lessons I learned. Below 1,000 feet agl, my scan is
now dedicated to altimeter, lift vector (angle of bank), and VSI-
no exceptions, ever.
It's a good bet that you've watched one or more ASI videos
on YouTube, and it's a good bet that you haven't made the same
mistakes of the pilots in those videos. If only we had reached the
195 pilots who suffered fatal accidents in fiscal year 2024. Whether
it's a flying adventure, lessons learned from the flight deck, or the
experiences of fellow pilots, the articles in this magazine and online
videos are built around stories. Check out our ASI videos. You'll
see how real-life stories turn safety
lessons into something you carry
with you-helping you become a
better, safer pilot.
mike.ginter@aopa.org
MIKE GINTER spent
27 years in the U.S.
Navy, retiring with the
rank of captain.
AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2025

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