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88059355
There are many things that you can do when you fly to make yourself a
safer and better pilot. Too many pilots get careless and stop doing
fundamental things that could save their lives. Here are some simple
things that you can do to improve your flying.
1. Use your rudder pedals.
It seems simple, right? Well, too many people neglect to get in the
good habit of using them. Use them during taxi, takeoff, climbs,
cruise, maneuvers, descents, and landing. Get the picture - Use them
all the time.
You can know exactly how much to use them during flight by looking at
the slip/skid indicator. That is the ball of the turn coordinator. As
long as the ball is centered between the lines, you are using the
right amount of rudder. If the ball is outside the lines, add rudder
in the direction that the ball is located.
For instance, if the ball is to the right, add right rudder. An easy
way to remember this is to "Step on the ball." Add enough pressure to
re-center the ball.
There are a lot of things happening when you are airborne. Correctly
using your rudder will make you a better pilot, keep your passengers
happy, and show your piloting professionalism (something you need to
have, even if you are not a professional pilot). Remember, step on the
ball.
2. Use Your Checklist
As you are flying, make sure that you use your checklist for each
portion of the flight. There are checklists for everything from
preflight to securing the airplane. Most airplanes have a checklist in
the owner's manual that you can use during your flights. Also, when
you learn to fly most flight schools have checklists that are
available for their students.
But checklists aren't put there to look pretty. Your job is to use
them. If you get in the habit of using one each flight, you will be
that much safer. It's not going to do you any good in your flight bag.
Even if you know the items by heart, still double check yourself
anyway.
Another thing, if you need to add something personal to your checklist
(like don't forget your sunglasses, or turn off your cell phone so the
battery won't run down as it searches for a signal in flight) do this
as well. As long as you have all the required items included, add any
that will help you personally during your flight.
3. G.U.M.P.S.
Whether you use G.U.M.P.S. as your landing checklist or not, get in
the habit of using a memorized checklist for your return to earth. In
a complex airplane, Gumps is; Gas, Undercarriage, Mixture, Propeller,
and Seatbelts. In a non-complex airplane, Gumps could be; Gas,
Undercarriage, Mixture, Power, and Seatbelts. Of course you don't
actually have to lower your gear on a fixed gear plane, but it is best
to remind yourself anyway. That way, when you do transfer to a
retractable gear airplane, you won't have to add anything to your
checklist. This also happens to be one of the most important checklist
items of the whole flight. So you will already be in the habit of
checking your landing gear when you get to the point where it really
matters.
4. Weight and Balance
Never ever forget to precisely calculate your weight and balance for
each flight. Too many people have gotten lazy and careless, and have
added extra weight in the form of passengers or cargo to their
airplanes, thinking that everything is ok. Isn't there room for error
- a little safety cushion, if you will - in the maximum useful load?
Why would you even want to know? If you take this attitude with your
flying, you are putting yourself and your passengers in a very
dangerous situation. Never operate out of the manufacturer's set
limitations for your airplane. They are there for a reason; to keep
you safe!
5. T.O.L.D.
Takeoff and Landing Data should be calculated for every flight as
well. Make sure that you are very familiar with all of the runways of
intended use and their lengths and widths. If it is not something that
you or your airplane can handle, don't make the flight. Don't get in
the habit of assuming that just because you are in a Cessna 172 that
every landing strip is suitable for your flight. Calculate your
takeoff and landing distances for each flight, taking into
consideration the density altitude and aircraft performance.
6. Appropriate Radio Calls
One flying safety item that can easily be performed is making sure
that you make your radio calls at the appropriate time. Whether you
are flying out of a towered or uncontrolled airport, be professional
with your radio calls. One common error is made at uncontrolled
airports, when after an airplane lands, the pilot calls clear of the
runway while part or all of the airplane is on the runway side of the
hold short line. This is dangerous! What if your airplane malfunctions
and you are stuck on the runway and another airplane thinks it's safe
to land? This is a hazardous situation that can easily be avoided. At
non-towered airports, it's better to not make any radio call at all,
than to make a dangerous one. Get it right!
7. Complete Runup
You have done a complete preflight inspection and are now ready to
takeoff. Make sure you do a complete engine runup as well. Check every
aircraft system while you are still on the ground before you get in
the air. Determine that all of your radios, comm and nav are
functioning. Check your vacuum and electric gyros. Check your flight
controls and your engine gauges. Know that when you take off, you are
as safe as you can be. There is no reason to rush through your runup.
8. Situational Awareness
Situational awareness is when you know exactly what is happening with
your flight and with what is going on around you. On the ground, you
need to make sure that you are aware of other airplanes that are
taxiing and using the runway. In the air, use the radio and your eyes
to know exactly where other airplanes are in relation to you as well
as their intentions. But situational awareness is not just limited to
knowing where other airplanes are. You also need to know exactly what
is happening with your airplane, the weather, airspace, the winds,
your location, what you would do in an emergency, etc. Regardless of
whether you are flying cross country or local, for fun or for
training, don't assume everything is alright. Know what is happening
around you.
9. Fly the plane from engine start to shutdown
When it comes to flying, make sure that you are maintaining vigilance
at all times in the airplane. Too many times pilots zone out at some
point in the flight. For many pilots, that time is before takeoff and
after landing. Make sure that even when you are on the ground, you are
flying the airplane. Keep a watchful eye out for other aircraft and
don't rely on the tower to separate ground traffic. Position your
flight controls so that you have the proper crosswind correction,
regardless of the wind speed. Even if the wind is calm, look at the
wind sock and taxi as if the wind is really blowing in the direction
indicated by the sock. Although you are on the ground, your control
surfaces are still somewhat effective. Treat them as if your safety
depends on their position.
9?. Have Fun
Even though it sounds simple, keep your flying fun. When you are in
the air, you are living a dream. Don't forget it!
http://cncarrental.cn/html/goodspeech/20060924/633.html
safer and better pilot. Too many pilots get careless and stop doing
fundamental things that could save their lives. Here are some simple
things that you can do to improve your flying.
1. Use your rudder pedals.
It seems simple, right? Well, too many people neglect to get in the
good habit of using them. Use them during taxi, takeoff, climbs,
cruise, maneuvers, descents, and landing. Get the picture - Use them
all the time.
You can know exactly how much to use them during flight by looking at
the slip/skid indicator. That is the ball of the turn coordinator. As
long as the ball is centered between the lines, you are using the
right amount of rudder. If the ball is outside the lines, add rudder
in the direction that the ball is located.
For instance, if the ball is to the right, add right rudder. An easy
way to remember this is to "Step on the ball." Add enough pressure to
re-center the ball.
There are a lot of things happening when you are airborne. Correctly
using your rudder will make you a better pilot, keep your passengers
happy, and show your piloting professionalism (something you need to
have, even if you are not a professional pilot). Remember, step on the
ball.
2. Use Your Checklist
As you are flying, make sure that you use your checklist for each
portion of the flight. There are checklists for everything from
preflight to securing the airplane. Most airplanes have a checklist in
the owner's manual that you can use during your flights. Also, when
you learn to fly most flight schools have checklists that are
available for their students.
But checklists aren't put there to look pretty. Your job is to use
them. If you get in the habit of using one each flight, you will be
that much safer. It's not going to do you any good in your flight bag.
Even if you know the items by heart, still double check yourself
anyway.
Another thing, if you need to add something personal to your checklist
(like don't forget your sunglasses, or turn off your cell phone so the
battery won't run down as it searches for a signal in flight) do this
as well. As long as you have all the required items included, add any
that will help you personally during your flight.
3. G.U.M.P.S.
Whether you use G.U.M.P.S. as your landing checklist or not, get in
the habit of using a memorized checklist for your return to earth. In
a complex airplane, Gumps is; Gas, Undercarriage, Mixture, Propeller,
and Seatbelts. In a non-complex airplane, Gumps could be; Gas,
Undercarriage, Mixture, Power, and Seatbelts. Of course you don't
actually have to lower your gear on a fixed gear plane, but it is best
to remind yourself anyway. That way, when you do transfer to a
retractable gear airplane, you won't have to add anything to your
checklist. This also happens to be one of the most important checklist
items of the whole flight. So you will already be in the habit of
checking your landing gear when you get to the point where it really
matters.
4. Weight and Balance
Never ever forget to precisely calculate your weight and balance for
each flight. Too many people have gotten lazy and careless, and have
added extra weight in the form of passengers or cargo to their
airplanes, thinking that everything is ok. Isn't there room for error
- a little safety cushion, if you will - in the maximum useful load?
Why would you even want to know? If you take this attitude with your
flying, you are putting yourself and your passengers in a very
dangerous situation. Never operate out of the manufacturer's set
limitations for your airplane. They are there for a reason; to keep
you safe!
5. T.O.L.D.
Takeoff and Landing Data should be calculated for every flight as
well. Make sure that you are very familiar with all of the runways of
intended use and their lengths and widths. If it is not something that
you or your airplane can handle, don't make the flight. Don't get in
the habit of assuming that just because you are in a Cessna 172 that
every landing strip is suitable for your flight. Calculate your
takeoff and landing distances for each flight, taking into
consideration the density altitude and aircraft performance.
6. Appropriate Radio Calls
One flying safety item that can easily be performed is making sure
that you make your radio calls at the appropriate time. Whether you
are flying out of a towered or uncontrolled airport, be professional
with your radio calls. One common error is made at uncontrolled
airports, when after an airplane lands, the pilot calls clear of the
runway while part or all of the airplane is on the runway side of the
hold short line. This is dangerous! What if your airplane malfunctions
and you are stuck on the runway and another airplane thinks it's safe
to land? This is a hazardous situation that can easily be avoided. At
non-towered airports, it's better to not make any radio call at all,
than to make a dangerous one. Get it right!
7. Complete Runup
You have done a complete preflight inspection and are now ready to
takeoff. Make sure you do a complete engine runup as well. Check every
aircraft system while you are still on the ground before you get in
the air. Determine that all of your radios, comm and nav are
functioning. Check your vacuum and electric gyros. Check your flight
controls and your engine gauges. Know that when you take off, you are
as safe as you can be. There is no reason to rush through your runup.
8. Situational Awareness
Situational awareness is when you know exactly what is happening with
your flight and with what is going on around you. On the ground, you
need to make sure that you are aware of other airplanes that are
taxiing and using the runway. In the air, use the radio and your eyes
to know exactly where other airplanes are in relation to you as well
as their intentions. But situational awareness is not just limited to
knowing where other airplanes are. You also need to know exactly what
is happening with your airplane, the weather, airspace, the winds,
your location, what you would do in an emergency, etc. Regardless of
whether you are flying cross country or local, for fun or for
training, don't assume everything is alright. Know what is happening
around you.
9. Fly the plane from engine start to shutdown
When it comes to flying, make sure that you are maintaining vigilance
at all times in the airplane. Too many times pilots zone out at some
point in the flight. For many pilots, that time is before takeoff and
after landing. Make sure that even when you are on the ground, you are
flying the airplane. Keep a watchful eye out for other aircraft and
don't rely on the tower to separate ground traffic. Position your
flight controls so that you have the proper crosswind correction,
regardless of the wind speed. Even if the wind is calm, look at the
wind sock and taxi as if the wind is really blowing in the direction
indicated by the sock. Although you are on the ground, your control
surfaces are still somewhat effective. Treat them as if your safety
depends on their position.
9?. Have Fun
Even though it sounds simple, keep your flying fun. When you are in
the air, you are living a dream. Don't forget it!
http://cncarrental.cn/html/goodspeech/20060924/633.html