Is there a test for "Good GA Pilot"
I could pass Big Piston's test. CFIs have done it to me. My Blanik L33 Solo used to have issues from being tied out no matter how I covered or taped the ports. I have had the airspeed indication fail in a super cub, and in a C140 just like Pilot DAR's picture. I have flown a lot of glider PIC in the back. In a 2-33 you can see the ASI and altimiter if your passenger is small enough and they look out the right side. In a Krosno you can only see the reflection of the vario in the canopy.
Still, I have to assume I am a bad pilot because I sometimes reduce flaps on finals. Done it many times tugging in the pawnee, where I did every landing power off. Also done it in the Arrow, PA18 and C140. Plus my flapped glider.
Still, I have to assume I am a bad pilot because I sometimes reduce flaps on finals. Done it many times tugging in the pawnee, where I did every landing power off. Also done it in the Arrow, PA18 and C140. Plus my flapped glider.
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Test of a good GA Pilot
Hi Guys,
I have seen this question asked in various forms and in various places over the years. Invariably, the consensus seems to come down in favour of someone being able to fly a safe circuit without any instruments; (i.e. old fashioned seat-of-the-pants flying).
Now being able to do that certainly attests to a person's VMC handling skills, (although whether such skills would be of any help when flying on instruments is very doubtful). But flying is vastly more than just handling skills; (although good handling skills are a good thing to have for a start).
Personally, I don't agree. A pilot may be able to fly a perfect circuit without reference to instruments but be an irresponsible pratt in every other respect.
To me, the qualities a good GA pilot boil down more to attitude than anything else as attitude permeates everything he/she does. So for my money the pilot should: -
1. have a well developed sense of responsibility,
2. be knowledgeable in regard to flying,
3. be thorough in regard to everything to do with the flight right from flight planning to shut down.
4. have foresight in regard to the things that are likely to be encountered in any flight and make preparation for them.
5. be ever willing to learn.
If these things are to be tested at all, they would probably only be tested by means of properly conducted psychometric testing.
Well that's my two pennyworth,
BP.
I have seen this question asked in various forms and in various places over the years. Invariably, the consensus seems to come down in favour of someone being able to fly a safe circuit without any instruments; (i.e. old fashioned seat-of-the-pants flying).
Now being able to do that certainly attests to a person's VMC handling skills, (although whether such skills would be of any help when flying on instruments is very doubtful). But flying is vastly more than just handling skills; (although good handling skills are a good thing to have for a start).
Personally, I don't agree. A pilot may be able to fly a perfect circuit without reference to instruments but be an irresponsible pratt in every other respect.
To me, the qualities a good GA pilot boil down more to attitude than anything else as attitude permeates everything he/she does. So for my money the pilot should: -
1. have a well developed sense of responsibility,
2. be knowledgeable in regard to flying,
3. be thorough in regard to everything to do with the flight right from flight planning to shut down.
4. have foresight in regard to the things that are likely to be encountered in any flight and make preparation for them.
5. be ever willing to learn.
If these things are to be tested at all, they would probably only be tested by means of properly conducted psychometric testing.
Well that's my two pennyworth,
BP.
Thread Starter
BP
Your points are correct. There are many facets to being a good pilot, however my experience is that it is rather rare to see a pilot with the skills to fly my ASI covered test circuit correctly and yet be a bad pilot everywhere else.
It takes personal discipline to fly a proper circuit at the correct height, with square corners, with a stable on speed approach etc etc. Poor pilots don't either have or want to have that kind of discipline as it is antithetical to their entire style of flying.
Bob upanddown
This of course is meant as a dual exercise as I thought was obvious from my post. Obviously the instructor skills have to be up to the exercise. I will periodically remove the cover during the exercise after asking the student what they think the speed is and providing my estimate. I find it is unusual if I am wrong by more than 2 knots. The best part is the student will quickly be just as close after a bit of practice.
If you are an instructor and uncomfortable doing this exercise I would respectfully suggest you should work at building your personal flying skills as this exercise is the kind of brute stick and rudder skills essential to effective instructing.
Your points are correct. There are many facets to being a good pilot, however my experience is that it is rather rare to see a pilot with the skills to fly my ASI covered test circuit correctly and yet be a bad pilot everywhere else.
It takes personal discipline to fly a proper circuit at the correct height, with square corners, with a stable on speed approach etc etc. Poor pilots don't either have or want to have that kind of discipline as it is antithetical to their entire style of flying.
Bob upanddown
This of course is meant as a dual exercise as I thought was obvious from my post. Obviously the instructor skills have to be up to the exercise. I will periodically remove the cover during the exercise after asking the student what they think the speed is and providing my estimate. I find it is unusual if I am wrong by more than 2 knots. The best part is the student will quickly be just as close after a bit of practice.
If you are an instructor and uncomfortable doing this exercise I would respectfully suggest you should work at building your personal flying skills as this exercise is the kind of brute stick and rudder skills essential to effective instructing.
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And if you try and you can't do that and end up crashing the airplane, I would love to see the insurance claim form........
What you don't say is whether this is a solo exercise for someone who thinks he is a good pilot and needs to prove it others or whether it is with an instructor (who thinks he is a good pilot and needs to prove it to the student)?
What you don't say is whether this is a solo exercise for someone who thinks he is a good pilot and needs to prove it others or whether it is with an instructor (who thinks he is a good pilot and needs to prove it to the student)?
Is there something magic about an instructor? The whole point about practising these things is that you are up to speed if they happen for real? Is it better to fly a circuit with the ASI covered in good VMC or to loose it for real solid IMC? Yes had that plus many other things go wrong for real.
With 1000s of hours you need a 300 hour instructor to hold your hand? As for risk? If you are not prepared to take some risk don't go flying take up something else.
it s exposure to dealing with problems that builds experience / As they say practice makes for perfect in any occupation. Then you are better prepared for things for real when they might happen in less than perfect situations and with other problems to keep you occupied.
Anyway if flying your circuit for practice with the ASI covered and you are not happy just uncover it
Voila instant airspeed back again 
Also how many loose the ASI and then totally ignore the GPS groundspeed? As astute pilots I am sure we are aware of the winds at all time and low level can roughly know the airspeed from that
Pace
Last edited by Pace; 20th May 2015 at 07:23.
