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Climbing Blind: The Fatal Failure to Maintain Positive Rate

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The Schiff Show logoMore from The Schiff Show · Episode 18

Proudly sponsored by Avemco Insurance Company

A Cirrus SR22 departed into total darkness, failed to maintain a positive climb rate and descended into terrain, killing the pilot and his young daughter. Captain Brian Schiff and Bob Meder turn the tragedy into lessons on establishing a positive climb, night departures and instrument scan discipline.

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Read more in About this course ↓

Chapters & program details from theschiffshow.tv

Chapters 15
  1. 0:00 Avemco message and WINGS credit
  2. 5:00 Meet guest Bob Meder
  3. 9:20 Accident review: Cirrus SR22 night takeoff, Chesterfield
  4. 15:00 Departure, TRACON and the steep descent
  5. 21:20 Night IMC initial climbs: similar accidents
  6. 26:20 Did the autopilot play a role?
  7. 33:20 Dark terrain and the somatogravic illusion
  8. 39:40 Personal minimums as a moving target
  9. 46:20 Partial panel: turning on the instruments
  10. 51:00 Ignore what you feel; trust the instruments
  11. 1:02:00 Tech tips: backup tools and simulators
  12. 1:10:20 Why he needed to go, and why we study it
  13. 1:14:40 Game show: how to play and first questions
  14. 1:22:40 Next month and the hangar-rash story
  15. 1:25:40 Final thoughts and WINGS reminder

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About This Course

THE SCHIFF SHOW Episode 18 – "Climbing Blind: The Fatal Failure to Maintain Positive Rate"

Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF

On an early morning flight, a Cirrus SR22 departed the airport into total darkness. The pilot failed to establish and maintain a positive climb rate, resulting in a shallow descent into terrain — claiming two lives, including the pilot’s young daughter.

This episode transforms that tragedy into practical, flight-saving education. There’s something in this for all pilots — from students to seasoned veterans.

Key Learning Objectives

  • Positive Climb Rate Mastery - How to guarantee and maintain a solid climb after takeoff, especially when visual references are limited
  • Night Departures - Understanding the unique challenges and dangers of nighttime takeoffs
  • Instrument Scan Discipline - Building a reliable cross-check to prevent spatial disorientation
  • Go/No-Go Decision Making - Recognizing when conditions should keep you on the ground
  • Human Factors and Traps - Expectation bias, subtle altitude loss, and loss of situational awareness, pressures of completing a mission (real or perceived)

This episode promises to be an engaging look into avoiding the traps of routine flight planning. No flight is routine, each differs in its’ demand for planning and safe execution.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Schiff Show is a monthly aviation education variety show hosted by Brian Schiff and sponsored by AVEMCO. It is offered for FAA WINGS credit. Brian will discuss a specific theme across five program segments on the second Thursday of each month. The themes will be chosen from a hit list of common accident causes. Each episode will be one hour long and focus on a particular causal accident factor, and will include the following segments:

  • Accident Review
  • Procedures
  • Techniques
  • Technology Tips and Tricks
  • Game Time - WIN PRIZES!

Registration is not required. Go to TheSchiffShow.tv at 7:00 PM Central Time on the second Thursday of the month and join the show. All episodes are archived on TheSchiffShow.tv and available to watch (for WINGS credit) anytime after the original air time. (NOTE: you must be watching live to participate in the game show portion.)

The Schiff Show promises to be an hour well spent, which will fly by while you have fun and learn to be a safer pilot.

Course Resources 15

COURSE RESOURCES for "Climbing Blind - The Fatal Failure to Maintain Positive Rate"

TO ACCESS EACH RESOURCE - CLICK ON THE RELATED LINK BELOW

Presenter

Captain Brian Schiff

Presenter and Instructor

Brian Schiff is a captain for a major US airline and is type-rated on the Airbus A320, Boeing 727, 757, 767, DC-9 (MD-80), CL-65, LR-JET, and G-V. Schiff’s roots are deeply planted in general aviation where he has flown a wide variety of aircraft. His total flying time is over 21,000 hours.

He is a Gold Seal flight instructor and FAASTeam Representative and holds several flight instructor ratings. He is recognized for his enthusiasm and ability to teach in a way that simplifies complex procedures and concepts. He has been actively instructing since earning his flight and ground instructor certificates in 1985. Schiff also has been an FAA-designated examiner.

He attended San Jose State University, and earned his B.S. degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his M.S. Degree in Aviation Safety from the University of Central Missouri. He regularly teaches and conducts seminars about aviation safety and techniques to student and professional pilots.

Bob Meder

Presenter and Instructor

Robert “Bob” Meder earned his CFI in 2001 and has since added single-engine and multi-engine instrument certificates. Recently retired from 40+year career with a major western railroad as a director in the Safety Department. In that role, he established the company’s drone program, working with the FAA on drone regulations while continuing to instruct. With 6,000+ hours of dual instruction, Bob specializes in training new flight instructors, emphasizing risk management and critical thinking.

A FAASTeam Lead Rep, Bob was named District and Regional Flight Instructor of the Year in 2009 and 2010. After nearly a decade as NAFI Chair, Bob continues to serve on NAFI’s board. At the time of the NAFI Professional Development Program and PDC Live @ OSH broadcasts, Bob Meder was NAFI Chairman of the Board.

WINGS Credit Details / Flight Review
Earn WINGS Credit FAASafety.gov course ID: 1601Flight review / Phase of WINGS guide (PDF)

SINGLE WINGS CREDIT

Click below to access the course quiz and earn immediate WINGS Credit

CLICK HERE to go to the WINGS Quiz

Step 1 - Login to your FAASafety WINGS account

Step 2- Take Quiz - Receive Immediate WINGS Credit

If you are not registered on the FAASafety website you may do so below

CLICK HERE to register on the FAA Safety website

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FLIGHT REVIEW / PHASE OF WINGS

The contents of this program can be used to complete a flight review.

A WINGS based flight review helps assure both student and instructor that a complete and well documented flight review in category and class of aircraft has been accomplished.

CLICK HERE to access a copy of the Theme Based TSS #18 Flight Review and Phase of WINGS Guide

About Avemco

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Not all aircraft insurance policies and premiums are the same. As the only direct writer in the market, Avemco never uses third-party insurance agents and instead, connects you directly with an aviation underwriter in their Frederick, Maryland office ready to solve problems and approve coverage based on what you fly and how you fly it. Avemco provides lightning-fast quotes, competitive rates, and personalized policies that are easy to read and tailored to you. Call 800-276-5199 for your free quote or visit avemco.com/theschiffshow. Don’t forget to tell them you’re a Schiff Show subscriber and save 5%!

Avemco Insurance Company never works with third-party insurance agents or brokers and believes you’re better off going right to the source instead of through a middleman. We connect you with an aviation underwriter ready to answer your questions and personalize coverage based on what you fly and how you fly it. So, unless you reach out to them yourself, you’ll never experience the Avemco advantage of going direct. Listeners of The Schiff Show save 5% and are eligible for even more savings through the Avemco Safety Rewards Program. Call 800-276-5199 for a free quote or visit avemco.com/schiffshow today.

For decades, Avemco Insurance Company has been an advocate for pilot safety by promoting and sponsoring continuous pilot training and learning. One of their initiatives has been to reward pilots who actively participate in being more proficient with savings on their insurance premium through the Avemco Safety Rewards Program. Safe pilots save by earning new ratings, getting recurrent training, participating in the FAASTeam WINGS Program, and listening to safety podcasts like ours and other Avemco-recognized courses and training. Call 800-276-5199 for a free quote or visit here today - OWNERS / NON-OWNERS Don’t forget to tell them The Schiff Show sent you for an automatic 5% off!

The Schiff Show Archives

CLICK HERE to view past presentations and earn WINGS Credit!

Content above is from the original episode page: https://www.theschiffshow.tv/18/

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