"Capt. Wild Bill Kelso, USAAC" wrote in message
...

I can tell you that if you were given that problem on a checkride, sim or
airplane, you prob. wouldn't have passed. Procedures were developed and
tested
by manufacturers. Yes, as PIC you have the authority to decide NOT to
follow
Emergency Procedures, but you will have to explain that to the Check
Airman/Examiner/Fed. In the airlines, we follow the QRH(Quick Reference
Handbook). If it says cycle the gear, we cycle the gear. If it doesn't
lock
down, we retract and hit the Emerg.. Extension Switch and let it
free-fall. If
it still doesn't work, we plan for a one, two, or all-wheels up landing.

What did the Fed say when you told him you didn't follow the checklist?

True enough, however, in an emergency situation, we may deviate from any
procedure, as necessary, to meet the given needs of the emergency.

I'm an airline driver too and page 1 of our AOM-1 (that's our aircraft
flight manual) specifically states that all of the given procedures may not
adequately address each and every problem we may encounter. It goes on to
say that we can utilize experience and judgement if/when we decide to
deviate from a procedure or expand upon one.

In the end, checklists are not all encompassing and sometimes we have to use
some of that 'pilot sh**' to save the day.

-RH