Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being good pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 03.13.06

The US Navy recently held a world-wide Safety Stand-Down of all aviation units. The purpose of a Safety Stand-Down is to suspend all non-combat flight operations to provide time for crews to review accident histories and mishap avoidance techniques. This is a very unusual occurrence, usually resulting from a string of incidents over a short time. Since events that prompt a Stand-Down are usually unrelated except for branch of service and proximity on the calendar, a Safety Stand-Down is typically a “back-to-basics” review.

Why You Should Stand Down

All pilots can learn from these most professional aviators. A check of FAA preliminary accidents reports and detailed accident studies like the AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s Nall Report show us that aviation mishaps are numerous, with varied but somewhat predictable patterns of cause. Personal aviation is quite safe, but it’s also terribly unforgiving of mistakes. A periodic Safety Stand-Down of your own is a great way to review the basics that can keep you and your passengers happily aviating for years to come.

Designing Your Personal Safety Stand-Down

Budget one afternoon every three months (once a quarter) for your personal Safety Stand-Down. Sacrifice one flying day, on a regular basis, to make the rest of your flying days far safer. Here are some ideas for your quarterly Safety Stand-Downs:

1. Attend an FAA WINGS-qualifying seminar.
2. Catch up on reading the Aviation Safety Reporting System’s Callback newsletter
3. Really read, and think about, mishap reports and “it almost happened to me”-type articles in aviation publications.
4. Read through at least two sections of your Pilots Operating Handbook (and not the same two every time).
5. Complete an on-line safety course like those from AOPA.
6. Spend two hours on a flight training device or simulator (even a PC-based “game” is good practice if you approach it like an actual flight).
7. Read two sections of the Aeronautical Information Manual... again, vary what you read each month.
8. Plan a VFR flight using a Sectional chart, the Airport Facilities Directory, a plotter and a flight planning log—the way you did for your Private checkride. Pay close attention to chart symbols and look up any you can’t identify.

Be creative. Review what you think you know (but may have forgotten), or find something new. The important thing is to regularly learn something that will enhance your flying.

Aero-tip of the day: Put a quarterly Safety Stand-Down on your calendar today.

FMI: Aero-Tips