Risk Management Magazine

For those unfamiliar with the term, a sucker hole refers to an opening in a cloud layer through which an aviator may descend. I’ve heard of sucker holes throughout my time in Army aviation and always wondered why someone would fall for it. But on one flight, I nearly ended up falling for one myself.

When the commander needs an aircraft, you can bet a Soldier from the maintenance shop will be eagerly standing by to ensure he or she gets it. Unfortunately, sometimes this on-demand convenience leads to Soldiers moving around aircraft quicker than they usually would.

Shortly after the co-pilot told me he sometimes got airsick, he went from bad to worse. He had to vomit, so I told him to go to the back of the airplane.