Buy the 3rd edition here: https://asa2fly.com/the-killing-zone/

This episode of Behind the Prop takes a deep, practical look at aviation safety culture, pilot decision-making, and the human factors that continue to drive accidents across all experience levels. Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern are joined by Paul Craig, author of The Killing Zone, to discuss why judgment—not just skill or legal minimums—is the foundation of safe flying.

The conversation begins with real-world examples of pilots choosing to delay or cancel flights despite external pressure, reinforcing that many of the best safety decisions never show up in accident statistics because nothing went wrong. Paul Craig shares data showing that from 2012 to 2023, approximately 82% of aviation accidents were survivable, shifting the focus toward preventing all accidents, not just fatal ones. Survivable accidents still represent breakdowns in judgment, awareness, or risk management, and often occur when pilots adopt an “it won’t happen to me” mindset.

A major theme of the episode is complacency, particularly as pilots gain experience. Wally and Bobby discuss how overconfidence can peak around key experience milestones, such as the first several hundred flight hours for pilots and around 1,000 hours for instructors. This complacency can quietly erode discipline in areas like preflight planning, fuel management, and risk assessment. The hosts emphasize that vigilance must be continuous, regardless of total time or aircraft type.

The discussion also explores the evolution of The Killing Zone and the decision to move its third edition to an aviation-focused publisher. The book’s continued relevance lies in its ability to wake pilots up to the statistically dangerous transition periods in their flying careers and encourage humility, preparation, and sound decision-making.

Throughout the episode, the group stresses the importance of practical understanding over memorization. Real safety comes from applying knowledge in dynamic, imperfect situations—whether navigating unusual airspace, managing fatigue, or making conservative go/no-go decisions. The episode closes with a strong reminder that aviation safety is a shared responsibility built through mentorship, education, and a commitment to putting life ahead of ego, schedule, or expectation.