Flight Training - July 2011 - 6
RIGHT SEAT
By Ian J. Twombly
VISIT OUR WEBSITE! http://flighttraining.aopa.org
SCENARIOS FOR SAFER TRAINING
viation is primarily a mental pursuit. Although the training process largely ignores this in favor of rote memorization and physical motor skills (stalls ad nauseam anyone?), the fact is that learning to fly is all about being a safe pilot, yet little if any attention is paid to how to actually do that.
Take those stalls. If you are in training, chances are that you have practiced approximately 9,462 stalls. But I would bet my pilot certificate that you’ve talked about avoiding stalls fewer than three times. In most cases, it’s probably zero. The reason why is perfectly clear and logical. The FAA tests pilots almost exclusively on physical skills, not decision making. Your instructor would actually be doing you a disservice if the opposite were true. To its credit, the FAA, in connection with industry partners, has tried to get away from the old model by pushing the FITS program (FAA-Industry Training Standards). Key to the standard is the concept of scenario-based training, or the incorporation of real-life applications into the training process. The thinking is that if a pilot learns the maneuvers in the larger context of the flying environment, and not just in the controlled world of the training environment, that he or she will develop better skills and better judgment. That’s wonderful—assuming it works. But one of the major problems is that the FAA’s own testing procedures, while in some cases trying mightily to incorporate scenarios, will never get to the level at which they test judgment more than skill. The practical test standard for diversions is a good example. If there were ever a strictly decision-based maneuver, this is it. We can’t—or shouldn’t try to—make it safely to our destination, so we must first decide to divert, then chose an airport, and then fly to it. But the test standard includes maintaining altitude and course, and only a standard line about, “exhibits knowledge related to diversion.” In other words, we don’t care whether or not you make a proper decision, but we want to make sure you don’t gain a little altitude. At Flight Training we fall into this trap this month with our story on how to properly execute a diversion (“Technique: Diversion,” page 36). The story is useful, if for no other reason than it teaches what you will be tested on. But it doesn’t get to the decision-making portion of the maneuver, which is critically important. All one has to do to verify this is look through the accident database. Too often, a simple diversion would have avoided the accident. That could be said for everything from thunderstorm encounters to crosswindlanding accidents. I think our downfall as pilots here comes primarily from one of our best skills—the ability to plan. On a road trip, stopping to make a pit stop or because you need to stretch your legs is no big deal. But with flying, we plan the flight so meticulously, especially early in our flying careers, that doing something off the plan can be daunting. Associate Editor Jill Tallman has a good solution for this. She simply plans the alternate, too. Thus the commitment to a new destination is made easier because you’re following an equally well-developed plan. As you continue to build experience, use diversions for fun. Decide midway along your trip to stop somewhere else. Each time the process will get easier until one day, not making your planned destination won't be a concern.
Email Deputy Editor Ian Twombly at ian.twombly@ aopa.org; Twitter: ijtwombly; and visit Flight Training on Facebook.
DIVERSIONARY STRATEGY
Publisher | Craig L. Fuller Senior VP, Media/Editor in Chief | Thomas B. Haines Deputy Editor | Ian J. Twombly Editor at Large | Thomas A. Horne Managing Editor | Julie Summers Walker Technical Editor | Mike Collins Senior Editors | Dave Hirschman, Alton K. Marsh Associate Editor | Jill W. Tallman Editorial and Production Assistant | Sylvia Horne Administrative Assistant | Miriam E. Stoner Contributors | Pete Bedell, Greg Brown, Ralph Butcher, LeRoy Cook, Budd Davisson, Rod Machado, Walter Miller, Dan Namowitz, Wayne Phillips, Bob Schmelzer, Jack Williams, Kathy Yodice Design Director | Michael E. Kline Art Directors | Elizabeth Z. Jones, Jill C. Benton Design and Digital Media Specialist | Chris Delisio Senior Photographer | Mike Fizer Photographer | Chris Rose
A
eMedia Managing Editor | Alyssa J. Miller eMedia Associate Editor | Sarah Brown Web Developer | Dan Pixton Web Designer | William Rockenbaugh Web Production Manager | Lezlie Ramsey VP Advertising | Carol L. Dodds Advertising Production Manager | Brenda D. Ridgley Advertising Sales and Marketing Manager | Liz Tarver Advertising Coordinator | Donna Stoner Advertising Representative | The Orison B. Curpier Co., Inc. East | 732-946-0130 Central, International | 607-547-2591 South Central, West | 214-789-6094 Editorial and Advertising Offices 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, MD 21701 301-695-2350 / FAX 301-695-2180 e-mail: flighttraining@aopa.org
Copyright © 2011, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. All rights reserved. No part of this monthly magazine may be reproduced or translated, stored in a database or retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other means, except as expressly permitted by the publisher; requests should be directed to the editor. This publication is presented with the understanding that the information it contains comes from many sources for which there can be no warranty or responsibility by the publisher as to accuracy, originality, or completeness. It is presented with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering product endorsements or providing instruction as a substitute for appropriate training by qualified sources. Flight Training will consider unsolicited submissions. All manuscripts and contributions should be sent to flighttraining@aopa.org. Reasonable care will be taken in handling manuscripts, but the magazine assumes no responsibility for material submitted.
6/
FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG
http://flighttraining.aopa.org
http://FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG
Flight Training - July 2011
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - July 2011
Flight Training - July 2011
Contents
President’s Perspective
Right Seat
Letters
The Wind in Your Hair
This Weekend
Success Story What It Looks Like
ASI News Member Products
Tech Tip
Since You Asked
AOPA Action
Final Exam
AOPA Action
News
Insights
Flying Carpet
Emergency Practice
I Love Low and Slow
Technique
Weather
Checkride
Flight Lesson
Rotorworld
Career Advisor
Tech Talk
Get Inside the Checklist
Nothing to See Here
Ultimate Communicators
Advertiser Index
Debrief
Flight Training - July 2011 - Flight Training - July 2011
Flight Training - July 2011 - Cover2
Flight Training - July 2011 - Contents
Flight Training - July 2011 - 2
Flight Training - July 2011 - 3
Flight Training - July 2011 - President’s Perspective
Flight Training - July 2011 - 5
Flight Training - July 2011 - Right Seat
Flight Training - July 2011 - 7
Flight Training - July 2011 - Letters
Flight Training - July 2011 - 9
Flight Training - July 2011 - The Wind in Your Hair
Flight Training - July 2011 - 11
Flight Training - July 2011 - This Weekend
Flight Training - July 2011 - Success Story What It Looks Like
Flight Training - July 2011 - ASI News Member Products
Flight Training - July 2011 - Tech Tip
Flight Training - July 2011 - Since You Asked
Flight Training - July 2011 - 17
Flight Training - July 2011 - AOPA Action
Flight Training - July 2011 - Final Exam
Flight Training - July 2011 - AOPA Action
Flight Training - July 2011 - 21
Flight Training - July 2011 - News
Flight Training - July 2011 - Insights
Flight Training - July 2011 - Flying Carpet
Flight Training - July 2011 - 25
Flight Training - July 2011 - Emergency Practice
Flight Training - July 2011 - 27
Flight Training - July 2011 - 28
Flight Training - July 2011 - 29
Flight Training - July 2011 - 30
Flight Training - July 2011 - 31
Flight Training - July 2011 - I Love Low and Slow
Flight Training - July 2011 - 33
Flight Training - July 2011 - 34
Flight Training - July 2011 - 35
Flight Training - July 2011 - Technique
Flight Training - July 2011 - 37
Flight Training - July 2011 - Weather
Flight Training - July 2011 - 39
Flight Training - July 2011 - 40
Flight Training - July 2011 - Checkride
Flight Training - July 2011 - 42
Flight Training - July 2011 - 43
Flight Training - July 2011 - Flight Lesson
Flight Training - July 2011 - Rotorworld
Flight Training - July 2011 - Career Advisor
Flight Training - July 2011 - 47
Flight Training - July 2011 - Tech Talk
Flight Training - July 2011 - Get Inside the Checklist
Flight Training - July 2011 - Nothing to See Here
Flight Training - July 2011 - Ultimate Communicators
Flight Training - July 2011 - Advertiser Index
Flight Training - July 2011 - 53
Flight Training - July 2011 - 54
Flight Training - July 2011 - 55
Flight Training - July 2011 - Debrief
Flight Training - July 2011 - Cover3
Flight Training - July 2011 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201507
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201505
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201407
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201406
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201405
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201311
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201307
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201306
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201305
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_201103
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com