Being a pilot, many people ask questions to compare flying to driving. The question people ask the most "are there any speeding tickets in the sky, or red light cameras?" While there may not be anything exactly like that, there are departure procedures, speed restrictions, and a million other rules to comply with. One airport in the New York area, Teterboro Airport, is the record holder for rule breaking. The RUUDY SIX departure procedure leads the nation in "tickets of the sky" better known as "pilot deviations".

The RUUDY6 departure procedure keeps aircraft out of the Newark approach path. But also keeps aircraft safely spaced apart. This procedure, can be given to all aircraft which meet the requirements of the departure procedure. So use caution. Many highly experienced pilots have received pilot deviations on this departure procedure with well-equipped aircraft. So why is it so challenging?

Around, 2019 the FAA had violated 177 pilots in a span of 6 years. The primary violations are the classic 1,500 feet restriction at WENTZ (for those unfamiliar, WENTZ is a GPS waypoint requiring a specific altitude that is low and unusual for jets.) In addition, this procedure has a speed restriction of 200 Knots (which can be easily busted.) These violations occur because too many pilots rely on improper autopilot operation. While autopilot systems are great tools, the deviations occur because of many factors: over-reliance on systems, complacency, distractions, or over-confidence. Ultimately, those factors lead to forgetting the stop at 1500' when approaching WENTZ. In this departure, complacency is a pilot's public enemy number one. If you read the procedure correctly, you need to hit 1,500' at WENTZ, then, after WENTZ climb to 2,000'. Sounds simple. But it can be confusing to those unfamiliar with departure procedures.

The classic learning lessons here have taught pilots how to read departure procedures in detail. Now many pilots are catching mistakes prior to takeoff because they remind themselves to read the departure and ask questions prior to going airborne. Due to proactive responses from the FAA safety outreach team, many of these pilot deviations have been curved.

It is unknown what the RUUDY6 departure procedure or GPS waypoint WENTZ was named after. There are a lot of Rudy's in New York. Some speculate it was named after the former mayor Rudy Giuliani. Others believe it was named after a famous restaurant called Rudy's diner. Naming GPS waypoints or procedures is still sort of a mystery. We know it comes from a regional FAA office or charting group, but no one really knows who they name them after or why!

The bottom line: read any procedure thoroughly and ask questions. Don't get violated, endanger yourself or others for simply making a mistake. This procedure may be flown by pilots of single engine piston airplanes, jets, turboprops, etc. So ask questions, if you don't understand, call the tower, approach control, or local FSDO for questions. Stay safe and remember "life is worth flying for."