Though I am blessed to fly a very high-tech jet, I am unapologetically “old school” when it comes to flight training. Moving upward into a complex flight deck is easier if there is a comprehensive mastery of the basics to build on. Otherwise, you are only a “mouse in a maze”- an “operator” and not a more comprehensive “pilot.” When you shortcut the foundational knowledge and skills at any level this handicaps you further along in your career. A pilot who can fly the pattern confidently in basic training with the whole panel covered, using outside references, builds on a solid foundation of aerodynamic knowledge and skill. Timeless flight mastery never goes out of date; mastery requires continuous learning. A master pilot will survive when the “magic fails,” no matter how sophisticated the flight deck. But if you fail to master the basics, you will forever be a slave to the any technology. Flight training minimums never lead to mastery.
This carries forward to navigation and even further to the educator (CFI) level – see our series on SAFE YouTube. Depending entirely on the “magic magenta” will eventually lead you to problems. If you are already a victim of accelerated flight training and learned only “high tech,” try covering the GPS and estimate the heading and distance to your destination. Start in that direction and use your technology to test (and sharpen) your pilotage skills. Work through our Extended Envelope Training with an old-school CFI for mastery (and confidence) with the flight controls. It is never too late to pursue mastery.
I am fortunate to fly with former Mohawk Airlines pilots who originally flew as new airline First Officers in Piper Navajos (yes these were “airliners!”) They navigated the same Victor 2 airways as Ernest Gann through snowstorms and convective with very basic avionics. Monochrome radar was “high tech” – and rare. Back then, they seldom had autopilots, despite flying 5-6 legs a day. When you are flying right seat with these guys in their state-of-the-art Lears and Gulfstreams, you can’t even tell if the autopilot is on without checking the panel (they are generally hand flying). That is effortless mastery!
Ideally, the pathway to flight mastery begins with basic aircraft control in primary training. It is harder to insert these elements later after bad habits have formed. Pilots still struggling with coordination or carrying incomplete or erroneous knowledge will experience roadblocks ahead in training. Shortcuts in aviation lead to “dead stops” further up the piloting ladder. In aviation, everything builds on the comprehensive basic skills, there are no valid shortcuts.
My greatest frustration is the movement away from actually learning to fly an airplane by attitude and feel and moving toward dependency on the whizbang gadgets and talking glass panels. Steve Krog
Useful “Learning Accelerators”
With that said, there are many ways to progress more rapidly and efficiently; doing the homework, listening carefully, and pushing into the “struggle zone.” No one likes to look clueless, but that is a prerequisite of learning any new material or skills (by definition we “don’t know!”) Humble yourself and embrace “beginners mind.” In every new area we are going to fumble around initially; be curious and ask lots of questions. Reflective analysis and chair-flying are excellent accelerators. Every flight has clues for improvement if you re-examine it carefully. The harder and further you push, the faster you learn; commitment and intensity are rewarded. There are many blog posts in this series about accelerating your learning. A humble, “no excuses learning attitude” is rare in aviation, but a key factor for faster improvement. And a committed, humble learner makes a much more pleasant flight deck partner; we are all learners.
Find a talented mentor in the area you are pursuing and treat them like gold. Aviation is largely an apprenticeship and a helpful person who has walked the path and is willing to share is critical to motivation and improvement. Our modern world even provides mentorship online. If you are ever bored while flying in the flight levels (or in the right seat teaching), you are not doing it right. There is always more to learn. Fly safely out there (and often)!
Join SAFE and get great benefits. You get 1/3 off ForeFlight and your membership supports our mission of increasing aviation safety by promoting excellence in education. Our FREE SAFE Toolkit App puts required pilot endorsements and experience requirements right on your smartphone and facilitates CFI+DPE teamwork. Our newly reformulated Mentoring Program is open to every CFI (and those working on the rating) Join our new Mentoring FaceBook Group.
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