9 lives
5th Sep 2014, 00:34
Most aircraft have variability to their configuration, which is pilot controlled. The most common examples being flaps and retractable landing gear. But really carb heat, mixture, propeller and cowl flaps are also configuration related. A lot of unhappy events occur because the pilot tried to fly the aircraft in a way which was in conflict with its configuration. Landing on a runway with the wheels up is a common example, or running off the end of a runway because flaps were not extended. Failing to retract them for a go around or touch and go are other common examples.
I opine that the training has to focus strongly on configuration assurance at each phase of flight. Use of a checklist is a great way to do this, and I know a lot of pilots who stop and read many times per flight - I can't criticize this, as long as they maintain a watch, leave time so they don't get behind, and actively prevent an interruption from causing missed checklist items.
But, what if the training was more basic, a focus on "configuration assurance"? The drill is that the pilot says to them self at each change in flight:
"I plan to next do _ _ _ _ _ with this aircraft, that will require _ _ _ _ _ configuration". Have I selected the configuration correctly? Checked, yes. We're done. ('till the next phase of flight).
This is of particular importance flying amphibians, as they are deliberately landed wheels up on the water, so the absent minded "wheels down for landing" could end up really bad! In the 182 amphibian, I even have a lady's voice, but I STILL have to confirm where I think where I'm about to land it, she can't tell...
Thus, EVERY landing RG landing I fly is preceded with (at altitude) verbal "Wheels are down/up for landing on land/water", and the same again on short final, with an out the window visual check. If I catch myself that I forgot one of those out loud configuration assurance speaks - it's a circuit, until I get it right. Happily, my 10 year old daughter often beats me to the second one these days, but I still smile and say it again to her.
We have checklists, funny code words, whose letters might remind us of things which should be done in the cockpit, (or an old limerick). We have the unconscious memory, or muscle memory, which just makes the plane what a partly brain dead pilot thinks it should be. But what if, instead, the pilot simply remembered that at every change, the configuration for the next intended maneuver must be assured? It's simple - A reminder to put your brain back in gear, and think about what you're about to do.
Configuration assurance......
I opine that the training has to focus strongly on configuration assurance at each phase of flight. Use of a checklist is a great way to do this, and I know a lot of pilots who stop and read many times per flight - I can't criticize this, as long as they maintain a watch, leave time so they don't get behind, and actively prevent an interruption from causing missed checklist items.
But, what if the training was more basic, a focus on "configuration assurance"? The drill is that the pilot says to them self at each change in flight:
"I plan to next do _ _ _ _ _ with this aircraft, that will require _ _ _ _ _ configuration". Have I selected the configuration correctly? Checked, yes. We're done. ('till the next phase of flight).
This is of particular importance flying amphibians, as they are deliberately landed wheels up on the water, so the absent minded "wheels down for landing" could end up really bad! In the 182 amphibian, I even have a lady's voice, but I STILL have to confirm where I think where I'm about to land it, she can't tell...
Thus, EVERY landing RG landing I fly is preceded with (at altitude) verbal "Wheels are down/up for landing on land/water", and the same again on short final, with an out the window visual check. If I catch myself that I forgot one of those out loud configuration assurance speaks - it's a circuit, until I get it right. Happily, my 10 year old daughter often beats me to the second one these days, but I still smile and say it again to her.
We have checklists, funny code words, whose letters might remind us of things which should be done in the cockpit, (or an old limerick). We have the unconscious memory, or muscle memory, which just makes the plane what a partly brain dead pilot thinks it should be. But what if, instead, the pilot simply remembered that at every change, the configuration for the next intended maneuver must be assured? It's simple - A reminder to put your brain back in gear, and think about what you're about to do.
Configuration assurance......