Originally Posted by
B2N2
Be mentally present, be a co-thinker not just a co-follower.
What I mean by that is anticipate decisions.
How much fuel would you take today and why.
CB’s on your route, deviate left or right and why?
Choice of runways at your destination, which one would you request and why?
As a CA I ask those questions to my crew members. If they give me an empty stare I know they haven’t even considered the choice.
You can question my decisions every day all day, just be a little diplomatic about it.
Starting every question with WHY?! is annoying.
Over time you’ll experience that your ‘mental’ decision matches your CA’s actual decision.
If not, ask.
Why are we taking the short runway when it’s raining?
Here’s one: if we have an engine failure or a fire now, what are the options? If you don’t know what you’d set in the FCU/MCP, and where to turn, what is in front and behind then start to - and it soon becomes almost instinctive.