Practice Makes Proficient

According to the experts that know, the economy has bottomed out and taken a turn for improvement. While this is good news all around, in the terms of aviation and especially pilot proficiency, this is compelling news. Because of the heavy toll the economy's downward spiral took on pilot's disposable income, the total number of general aviation flight hours has decreased steadily since 2007; the year economic experts agree the world-wide recession began. For those with a pilot's license, the choice between maintaining flying proficiency and spending disposable income became less difficult. For many, flying took a backseat to heightened financial awareness.

Now, companies in the private sector are hiring, adding jobs and once again putting money into the pockets of pilots nationwide. Being proficient means being knowledgeable, demonstrating competency and maintaining aptitude (which we discussed last time). Increased disposable income should follow increased proficiency, and as GA flight hours once again increase, a reduced accident rate. But, we human beings forget things and become rusty. At one time in my life I knew all the State's capital cities in alphabetical order. Now, not so much.

Flying combines fine motor skills (muscle memory), spatial orientation and an intellectual component. Said another way, flying is a marriage of physics, math, law, motor skill, decision making, critical thinking...did I forget anything? Simply put, there's a lot to remember and a lot to forget! There are a number of to keep all that knowledge fresh in the mind. How are we as the pilot community going to increase flying hours and keep the accident rate low?

Beyond hitting the books and re-reading the most current FAR/AIM or other various hard bound (and stale) publications, a great free way to keep current is to subscribe to any number of free electronic publications like (reading this blog) AOPA's Aviation eBrief, PilotWorkshops.com Pilot's Tip of the Week and Flying magazine's newsletter, to name a few. Also, you can join Elite Aviation Training's mailing list and receive our informative newsletter. The FAA Safety Team hosts a website that offers a searchable clearing house of aviation training seminars and events, hosted by FAASTeam reps, like Elite Aviation Training, from around the country on many aviation topics of interest. Most of the training events are free. Another free way to help maintain proficiency is to simply chair fly.

Running checklists, imagining conversations with ATC and role playing emergency scenarios does have its stark limitations. Getting an hour in the simulator with an instructor is more beneficial for practicing instrument procedures, but any affordable simulator that GA pilots can rent lack the fidelity to practice takeoffs and landings and any VFR procedures, including flying straight and level. Arguably, the best way to maintain proficiency is to actually fly an airplane with a certified instructor. Smelling the avgas, talking to authentic ATC personnel, feeling the weight of the controls and seeing the rotation of the propeller makes the experience as real as it gets. People become pilots to fly airplanes and enjoy the adventure not to sit in a dark room and stare at computer monitors.

If you haven’t flown in a while, Elite Aviation Training offers a Proficiency Evaluation for any pilot certification level, including single engine and multi-engine ratings as well as instrument rated and VFR only pilots. The first defense in any potential aviation accident is recent training with a highly qualified and certified instructor. Contact Elite today and we will begin your Personalized and Comprehensive proficiency evaluation.

So, let's knock the rust off the wings and get flying!

Tailwinds...