Jordan Webb Karen Speight ed, amber and green; its a combo that can enrage us on the roads. The infuriating traffic-light system has now crept its way into the world of travel, permitting and restricting movement across the globe. With the industry poised and ready to return to normal operations or as close to normal as can be a positive vaccination programme has put us in a premium position to see international travel and tourism recover at a world-leading rate. But the governments tentative approach has, undeniably, held back a lot of pent-up demand. Nevertheless, pilots across the country have been dusting off their flight bags, squeezing themselves into their shrinking work trousers, refamiliarising themselves with SOPs, and completing various courses online. Flying is most definitely back (or at least it was at the time of writing). Gibraltar, domestic destinations such as Newquay, and, for a brief moment Faro, are now extremely familiar for many crews as the public venture off in search of sunshine, with the confidence of a jab in the arm and a quarantine-free return home. Were looking at you, Mr Shapps. In this edition, David Keen explores skill fade and the many challenges that face us as we return to the skies after months spent on the ground. Robin Evans, meanwhile, explores the fascinating history of checklists, a vital tool that serves as an additional crew member on every flight deck. We also bid farewell to BALPA General Secretary Brian Strutton and take a look at his achievements over his five-year tenure. As we edge cautiously towards the tail end of the pandemic, Karen Speight addresses pilot mental health which, no doubt, has come under strain because of the trepidation felt over the past 12 months. Her touching story about Captain Marcus Tearne taking his own life, and his familys determination to break the taboo over suicide and mental health, has a reassuring message that out of adversity can come change and hope. Fly safe. Picture credits, where not shown or supplied: Getty images: Holgs / iStock.com: Baloncici / RomeoLu / BestForBest / Andrii Yalanskyi / Cnythzl / Erhui1979 / Mauinow1 / Kontekbrothers / Olyniteowl / Avector / Stefanholm / Doble-d / Yelyzaveta Hryhorieva / Sasha2538 / Olaser LI F T- O F F Duty editors welcome