Ethics

 

  

Merriam-Webster defines ethics as the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. Ethics applies every day to our decision making. When it comes to aviation profession the term ethics could mean life and death to crewmates and passengers. 

    In the world of aviation profession, ethic and professional conduct comes hand in hand. In the journal "Ethics in Aviation Education" written by Patrick A. Benton, ethics and professional conduct means professionalism that involves a commitment to a set of values and moral principles that are accepted by society. To me it means doing what is right knowing that your decision and action could impact the welfare of others and steadfast of your beliefs despite outside pressure. 

    I am an aviation mechanic for the Navy. Ethics means honor, courage and commitment meaning doing the maintenance "by the book" and refusing to cut corners. There are times when your ethics will be challenged. For example, a maintainer notices the F/A-18 super hornet taxiing to the catapult has a bald spot on its starboard main landing gear tire. Knowing that the tire needs to be examine further, should the maintainer let the pilot take off to complete his/her mission or stop the evolution? Those are the time we as aviation professionals must do the right thing to uphold the standard of safety first. At the end of the day, seeing the pilots and aircrew returning safe and sound is what it’s all about.