Flight Training - June 2012 - 51

So, which is the best answer about the use of carburetor heat? Surprisingly, it can be found in the meager information in the Flight Training Handbook, and flight instructors should emphasize its importance: “In the manner recommended by the airplane manufacturer.” Why do so many instructors teach the rote use of carburetor heat on approach and landing? Could this be because a majority had their own initial training in Cessna 150s and 152s, in which the use of carburetor heat before landing is on the checklist? Have they forgotten the importance of knowing your particular aircraft and its unique procedures? When I first transitioned from Cessnas to Pipers my instructor continued to teach the use of carburetor heat every time I reduced power below 1,600 rpm.

Only a thorough reading of the aircraft manual informed me that this was not the correct procedure for this particular aircraft. The real lesson of this carburetor controversy may not be about carburetor icing at all. Perhaps the real lesson is for instructors to teach that the procedures for one aircraft are not always the same for another, albeit very similar, aircraft. Students must learn the procedures “recommended by the airplane manufacturer.” How do students know the manufacturer’s recommendations? As one CFI said, “If an instructor doesn’t make sure that a student owns a copy of the pilot’s operating handbook for the specific aircraft he’s training in, that instructor is deficient.” This lesson—know your specific aircraft’s procedures—can lead instructors directly to another topic:

the importance of using a checklist specifically designed for that aircraft. Students should be taught that this is a primary reason why pilots use checklists, especially when flying different aircraft on a regular basis. Use of carburetor heat is just one of many common procedures that may vary between different aircraft. Instructors, educate your students thoroughly about icing and the correct use of carburetor heat. Give them enough information so they understand what they’re doing and why. But the most important lesson is to “know your aircraft” and “read the manual.” And always teach not to rely on your memory for the correct procedure, use the checklists.
Dennis Johnson is a travel photographer and writer based in New York City.

http://www.Aviator.edu

Flight Training - June 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - June 2012

Flight Training - June 2012
President’s Perspective
Right Seat
Letters
Tucked in for the Night
How It Works
Success Story Training Products
News AOPA Action
Since You Asked
ASI News
Final Exam
Flying Carpet
The Hunters
5 Weather Technologies That Changed Aviation
Front Fundamentals
Technique
Weather
Accident Report
Flight Lesson
Living the Dream, in 18 Months
Career Advisor
Tech Talk
Hot or Not
A 'Minimalist' Flight Training Syllabus
Advertiser Index
Debrief
Flight Training - June 2012 - Flight Training - June 2012
Flight Training - June 2012 - Cover2
Flight Training - June 2012 - 1
Flight Training - June 2012 - 2
Flight Training - June 2012 - 3
Flight Training - June 2012 - President’s Perspective
Flight Training - June 2012 - 5
Flight Training - June 2012 - Right Seat
Flight Training - June 2012 - Letters
Flight Training - June 2012 - 8
Flight Training - June 2012 - 9
Flight Training - June 2012 - Tucked in for the Night
Flight Training - June 2012 - 11
Flight Training - June 2012 - How It Works
Flight Training - June 2012 - Success Story Training Products
Flight Training - June 2012 - News AOPA Action
Flight Training - June 2012 - 15
Flight Training - June 2012 - Since You Asked
Flight Training - June 2012 - 17
Flight Training - June 2012 - ASI News
Flight Training - June 2012 - Final Exam
Flight Training - June 2012 - 20
Flight Training - June 2012 - 21
Flight Training - June 2012 - Flying Carpet
Flight Training - June 2012 - 23
Flight Training - June 2012 - The Hunters
Flight Training - June 2012 - 25
Flight Training - June 2012 - 26
Flight Training - June 2012 - 27
Flight Training - June 2012 - 28
Flight Training - June 2012 - 29
Flight Training - June 2012 - 5 Weather Technologies That Changed Aviation
Flight Training - June 2012 - 31
Flight Training - June 2012 - 32
Flight Training - June 2012 - 33
Flight Training - June 2012 - Front Fundamentals
Flight Training - June 2012 - 35
Flight Training - June 2012 - 36
Flight Training - June 2012 - 37
Flight Training - June 2012 - Technique
Flight Training - June 2012 - 39
Flight Training - June 2012 - Weather
Flight Training - June 2012 - 41
Flight Training - June 2012 - 42
Flight Training - June 2012 - Accident Report
Flight Training - June 2012 - Flight Lesson
Flight Training - June 2012 - Living the Dream, in 18 Months
Flight Training - June 2012 - Career Advisor
Flight Training - June 2012 - 47
Flight Training - June 2012 - Tech Talk
Flight Training - June 2012 - Hot or Not
Flight Training - June 2012 - A 'Minimalist' Flight Training Syllabus
Flight Training - June 2012 - 51
Flight Training - June 2012 - Advertiser Index
Flight Training - June 2012 - 53
Flight Training - June 2012 - 54
Flight Training - June 2012 - 55
Flight Training - June 2012 - Debrief
Flight Training - June 2012 - Cover3
Flight Training - June 2012 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_20250102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202411
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/ft_202409
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