Aviate navigate communicate versus phase 2 checks
The rules of flying I have lived by so far are
#1 Don't do nuthin dumb
#2 Aviate is the first priority, but if it is flying as well as you can make it then think about navigation, if that is OK think about communication.
Is #2 meant to be "aviate, then navigate, thencommunicate"?
To help understand what I am about to launch into, I will be referring to phase 1 and phase 2 checks with regard to twin-engine aeroplanes, where phase 1 goes (also called memory items on some checklists)
control, speed, rich, pitch, power, gear up, flap up, identify (dead leg = dead engine), verify (with throttle), feather, trim, intentions
and then phase 2 (from the checklist) is to secure and completely shutdown the engine.
The reason I ask is that I have always flown the first way but in my instrument renewal last week (passed) the examiner said I should get the phase 2 checks out of the way before worrying about tracking or talking to the TMA controllers. In my mind this does not quite fit how I have been prioritising, as once the dead propellor has been feathered and the aircraft is trimmed (i.e. at the end of phase 1) there isn't much else to do to actually make the aircraft fly any better, so I believe I have a bit of time now to ensure that the tracking is going OK and to tell the controller my position if he asks for it. Then get back to phase 2.
I don't have terribly much aeroplane twin time (as a proportion of my not-quite-four-digit total it is less than 10%) and hardly any operational stuff at all so would appreciate some help instead of accidentally breaking rule #1!
Or another thought just occurred to me, was he trying to talk to me about 'in a test or training situation' but I just didn't get it?
All comments appreciated.
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Confident, cocky, lazy, dead.