Each flying job requires a unique set of skills. Failure to heed the small differences can lead to big accidents, and sometimes that failure goes back to the pilot’s training — or lack thereof. Read more →
Tag: training
We’re All Instructors
Every pilot is a flight instructor, whether they know it or not. I make the case for recognizing that fact and acting accordingly when flying. Read more →
“I Don’t Work for You!”: A True Story
Pilots who want to hire on with a major airline will tell you it’s not necessarily easy. But you know what’s even harder? Trying to quit! Here’s a true story about a friend who tried to do just that — and couldn’t. Read more →
The Sim Credit Debate
The FAA wants to double the amount of sim time which can be credited toward an instrument rating, but a negative comment on their proposal temporarily derailed the effort. So who’s right? Read more →
The Spiral Dive Conundrum
Over 40 percent of GA fatal accidents occurred because pilots lost control of their airplanes, and a spiral dive is sometimes part of the final moments. How do we accurately train for such a hazardous situation? Read more →
Step One
Everyone knows the first step of recovering from addiction is admitting you have a problem. We in the aviation world have a dangerous addiction of our own: the crutch of technology. Read more →
Flying Backwards
If safety is paramount in aviation, why do the least experienced professional pilots sometimes fly the most challenging aircraft and profiles? Why do the newest instructors teach the most difficult courses? Isn’t that backwards? Read more →
Upset Recovery Training: Not Just a Fad
Upset recovery training is a big industry buzzword. Is it really a worthwhile investment of a pilot’s time and money, or is this just the latest safety fad? And what’s the difference between “upset recovery” and “aerobatics” anyway? Read more →
The Ab Initio Flaw
Thus far, airline ab initio programs haven’t been a major part of the landscape here in the U.S. because our aviation sector is fairly robust. We are blessed with flying jobs which build the experience, skill, and time necessary for larger, more complex aircraft. But it might become an attractive option for airlines because the cost of learning to fly has risen dramatically over the past decade while the benefits (read: money) remain too low for too long. Airlines can cure the shortage by training pilots from zero hours… but at what cost? Read more →
To Pull or Not to Pull
Simulating partial panel used to be so easy: slap a cover over one or two of the instruments and let the fun begin! In an era of integrated glass panel avionics, however, it’s not always so simple. Take the G1000 for example. The FAA doesn’t like us pulling circuit breakers, so they ask instructors and examiners to use a method that’s far less realistic. That might be better for the electronics… but what about the pilot? Read more →