Follow the appropriate pattern procedures. As you ve heard many times, the midair collision threat is the greatest around airports, so keep a sharp lookout. That time when the pilot is most distracted takeoff and landing is precisely when the aircraft seems to demand the most. Configuration, power setting, navigation equipment there s always something to divert the attention. If you keep in your mind the image of two aircraft colliding, there will be no difficulty in setting priorities.
Accidents occurring during a type of flight are also predictable from a statistical sense.
Personal flying, the kind most of us do, is the greatest risk because pilots seem less likely to exercise good judgment than when they are flying on business or receiving flight instruction. The experience is controlled and usually with a good risk-management approach. Instructors don t like to be put in compromising situations. We suspect that pilots flying on business are more experienced and may have aircraft that are more capable. The emotional aspect may be less of a factor as well getting to a business meeting may exert less emotional pressure than getting the family to or from a holiday location.