Volume 21, No. 3 – March 2004
The March 2004 issue of Flight Lines highlights the camaraderie and mutual support that defines the pilot community. President John Martyny’s message explores the unique bond shared among pilots, drawing on examples from the Tuskegee Airmen and personal experiences in backcountry flying and international operations. He emphasizes how the Colorado Pilots Association embodies this spirit of helping fellow aviators in times of need, whether providing rides, mechanical advice, or emergency assistance.
The newsletter also features a significant tribute to Dr. Otto Senft, a beloved CPA member who passed away in January 2004. Senft had a remarkable career spanning medicine, military service, and aviation, including work as a Flight Surgeon for the Air Force and United Airlines. His contributions to both the medical and aviation fields are celebrated, along with a touching poem about his life journey.
Additionally, the issue begins a new series on Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) by Flight Safety Chairman Vern Foster, addressing the critical role of pilot decision-making in accident prevention. The article notes that 65-75% of general aviation accidents are attributed to faulty pilot decision-making and introduces attitudes that serve as roadblocks to effective CRM.
Key Topics
- Pilot camaraderie and mutual support within the aviation community
- The Colorado Pilots Association’s role in helping members
- Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) for single-pilot operations
- Pilot decision-making and accident prevention
- Attitudes that hinder professional piloting operations
Member News
- Dr. Otto Senft – Beloved CPA member and Flight Surgeon, passed away January 30, 2004, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. Senft had a distinguished career including service in the U.S. Air Force, private medical practice, and as a Flight Surgeon for United Airlines. He was passionate about aviation and was known for building a Lancair IV-P and flying cross-country during retirement. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Chancel Choir of First Lutheran Church in Longmont or the EAA Chapter 648 Scholarship Fund (C/O Earl Bolton, 7448 Crannel Dr., Boulder, CO 80303).
