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 01.19.06
It can be hard work near the ground. On takeoff and landing,
obstacles, other airplanes, and departure or arrival tasks all
compete for your limited time and attention. Air traffic
controllers add a level of safety, but also a level of distraction
and stress at tower-controlled airports. The last thing you need is
more distraction from inside you airplane.
Keep it quiet
A fatal commuter crash years ago led
to the “sterile cockpit rule” for U.S. scheduled air
carriers. This rule essentially requires the flight crew to limit
all discussion to mission-essential items whenever the airplane is
within 10,000 feet of the ground (the commuter’s cockpit
voice recorder picked up a completely off-topic crew discussion
that continued all the way to impact).
10,000 feet is a little excessive in most personal
airplanes—the majority of which never fly above that
altitude. Let me suggest, however, that you adhere to a sort of
sterile cockpit rule under these circumstances:
- Any time the airplane is within 1000 feet of the ground,
whether taking off or landing.
- Any time you’re within 1000 feet of leveling off from a
climb or, especially, a descent.
- From the point that you accept a vector to intercept an
instrument arrival procedure or approach course to landing
- If flying a full procedure approach or hold, starting when
within three miles of the fix.
What’s the rule?
Brief your passengers before boarding the airplane that there
are times when it’s important for you to be listening to the
radio and accomplishing detailed actions, and they should not
interrupt you (NOTE: Encourage passengers to point out other air
traffic at any time or, if visible, landing gear that is not down
when near the runway). Time tasks like taking notes on fuel burn or
calling the FBO for a rental car or briefing for an instrument
approach so they’re done before you’re airborne near
the ground or nearing a level-off altitude.
Aero-tip of the day: Use a “sterile
cockpit” to limit distractions when in high-workload
situations.