Know the aircraft systems?
Couldn't decide whether to go into Pro Training or Private Flying - you guys lost the toss as there may be many students and pilots lurking in here who have not yet admitted to themselves that they don't "know their aircraft systems".
There is some stuff you can, effectively, forget - like "What should the tyre pressure be in the main wheels?" (Provided you know where to look when you suspect that the pressure is too low) - but there's some very basic stuff that you really should know.
I've spoken to quite a few students who were putting themselves forward as candidates for 'skill tests'.
I ask many of them, "What does this gauge marked Suction indicate?" After they answer, I ask, "So what if it suddenly drops down to indicate zero whilst in flight? What would you expect to happen, or what would you do about it?"
Answers have included ;
"It shows the amount of cooling air flowing over the engine - if it dropped to zero the engine would overheat and I'd land in a field".
"It shows the fuel pressure from the main tanks to the engine (Cessna) - if zero, the engine would stop" (Had this TWICE in one week - both students had the same, instrument rated, instructor).
"It shows the amount of air from an engine driven pump - can't remember what it does. If it dropped to zero - forced landing in a field if not near an airport"
Asked one guy (an IMC candidate) to describe to me (on a white board), the layout and "power" sources (pitot/static, static, suction gyro, electric gyro) of the standard 'six pack' of instruments on his PA28 flight panel. He found it very amusing that he couldn't tell me - thought it was really funny (until I explained he was presenting himself for test).
These are some scary answers to very basic questions. There are harder ones like "How many fuel drains does this aircarft have?" or "What's this extra pitot tube thing sticking out of the cabin wall on the Piper Arrow?". "No idea", is the normal reply. Then why are you flying it??
"What does it mean (what can you say "for sure") if one of the little green lights doesn't come on when you select undercarriage down?"
How many said "A wheel hasn't come down". Think again.
Rant over.