Timothy
11th Mar 2009, 12:33
Can you help less experienced pilots?
Would-be mentors can find out more about the AOPA Mentoring scheme from Timothy Nathan in the clubhouse at White Waltham on Saturday April 18th, starting at 13.00. Please email mandy at aopa.co.uk if you would like to come. Expressions of interest are welcome even if you can’t come on the day; there will be other opportunities later. Part of the purpose of the day is to hear back from you about anything we have missed in the planning.
The AOPA Mentoring Scheme aims to stem the drift of pilots away from general aviation, encourage them to take on new challenges and help them progress up the skills ladder.
Some 75% of PPLs fail to renew their licences after five years, and one cause is the perceived difficulty of moving from being a newly-qualified, low-hours PPL to being a confident and capable flyer. Exemplifying the problem is the low-hours pilot who rarely ventures beyond the local area for fear of complex and unknown airspace, mistrusts his own ability to evaluate the weather, isn’t very good on the radio, can’t confidently operate all the kit in the aircraft or unravel the NOTAMs, or sticks to familiar territory for other reasons. For him or her flying will soon pall, and there is a high risk that they will be lost to general aviation.
The AOPA Members Working Group recognises that the pilot’s response is generally not to seek help, but to turn to other pursuits.
The Mentoring Scheme would put them in touch with more experienced pilots on whom they can call informally for advice and assistance – a sort of ‘buddy system’ which would give the uncertain pilot the confidence to tackle a flight they would not otherwise attempt. At its most basic, this might be a matter of being accompanied on a land-away by someone who’s been there before.
AOPA can act as a clearing-house between pilots who need a comforting presence in the cockpit and more experienced pilots who are willing to help them. Formalising this contact system makes it easier to ask for help.
This scheme addresses a ‘sub-instruction’ dimension which is not adequately provided for. AOPA’s roster of more experienced pilots would never replace instructors – indeed, on first contact they would be required to evaluate whether a pilot was really asking for instruction, and would refer him to an instructor immediately should there be any suggestion that this was the case. The less-experienced pilot would remain PIC and would handle the controls. The more experienced pilot would neither log the time nor charge for it. The situation would be no different from having two friends, both qualified pilots, in the aircraft at the same time.
It’s a simple sounding concept but much work has gone into establishing the basics, not least in terms of liability and limits of responsibility. It has been decided to launch the scheme for VFR flights only, and to look to extend it to IFR after a shakedown period.
All responsibility for the safety and legality of any flight will lie with the PIC, who will normally be the person being mentored. In order to be part of the AOPA scheme, both mentors and mentees must meet the following minimum requirements:
Mentors – current PPL/CPL, current medical and current class rating, plus CRI and/or AOPA Silver Wings, and a minimum of 200 hours P1.
Mentees – current PPL, current medical, and AOPA Bronze Wings.
Both mentors and mentees must register with AOPA, providing documentary evidence of these qualifications. This will be done via AOPA airfield representatives where available, otherwise through head office. Mentors and mentees indemnify AOPA from responsibility for the outcome of the mentorship. However, AOPA will have liability insurance in case the indemnity is found to be inadequate. Additionally, both mentor and mentee must take responsibility for checking each other’s qualifications before flight. In particular the mentor must check the legality of the flight.
In order to be a registered mentor, members must familiarise themselves with the guidance notes and attend a workshop.
The guidance notes set out how it must be made clear before the flight who is the Commander for the whole flight. They are very comprehensive and leave no room for doubt about who does what and when.
A typical example of a VFR mentoring flight could be a trip from a Midlands airfield to Deauville in France for lunch. This would require the mentee to plan and execute the flight with appropriate guidance from the mentor. This type of flight would give the mentee an opportunity to prepare for subsequent AOPA Wings Scheme achievements and would certainly build confidence and keep the fun in his flying.
The mentor might be required to provide advice on everything from document review to Customs and Special Branch clearances, weight and balance, weather, NOTAMs, flight planning, correct RT, fuel drawbacks, range and endurance, lost procedures – anything that helps keep a pilot from infringing controlled airspace is especially vital at this time.
Depending on the mentor’s skills and strengths he or she might provide help with farm strip flying, noise reduction, flying into major airports, or a hundred other issues.
AOPA must be satisfied that mentors meet an acceptable standard of knowledge and experience, and are in concordance with the ethos of the scheme. AOPA will arrange workshops to explain the scheme. There will be no formal flight or ground instruction, but applicants will be expected to show a good understanding of their role, responsibilities and duties to themselves, the mentees and AOPA. There will be recurrency requirements and peer reviews.
Are you up for it? The purpose is to help staunch the flow of pilots out of general aviation, something that all of us have an interest in. The scheme will be rewarding for both mentors and mentees, and may just prove equally invigorating for both parties.
AOPA member Mick Elborn has agreed to project-manage the Mentoring Scheme following an appeal for volunteers in the last issue of General Aviation, and the scheme now stands a good chance of being brought to fruition during this flying season.
The Mentoring Scheme is the brainchild of Timothy Nathan, a member of the AOPA Members Working Group, and has been strongly supported by the AOPA Executive and the Instructors Committee. A complex and ambitious undertaking, it was developed principally by Timothy Nathan with help from Steve Copeland, but progress has slowed because both are extremely busy in their working lives. Mick Elborn is a retired professional project manager, single and multi pilot with more than 500 hours, and is better placed to give the scheme the impetus it needs.
HOW TO APPLY TO BECOME A MENTOR
Register your interest with mandy at aopa.co.uk indicating also whether you could attend an initial meeting at White Waltham on Saturday 18th April 1300h – 1500h.
Accommodation at WW limits us to a maximum of 20 applicants for that meeting. Don’t worry if you cannot attend this initial meeting, or if it is over subscribed and you cannot get a place. We will inform you of more meetings at differing locations that will follow.
Would-be mentors can find out more about the AOPA Mentoring scheme from Timothy Nathan in the clubhouse at White Waltham on Saturday April 18th, starting at 13.00. Please email mandy at aopa.co.uk if you would like to come. Expressions of interest are welcome even if you can’t come on the day; there will be other opportunities later. Part of the purpose of the day is to hear back from you about anything we have missed in the planning.
The AOPA Mentoring Scheme aims to stem the drift of pilots away from general aviation, encourage them to take on new challenges and help them progress up the skills ladder.
Some 75% of PPLs fail to renew their licences after five years, and one cause is the perceived difficulty of moving from being a newly-qualified, low-hours PPL to being a confident and capable flyer. Exemplifying the problem is the low-hours pilot who rarely ventures beyond the local area for fear of complex and unknown airspace, mistrusts his own ability to evaluate the weather, isn’t very good on the radio, can’t confidently operate all the kit in the aircraft or unravel the NOTAMs, or sticks to familiar territory for other reasons. For him or her flying will soon pall, and there is a high risk that they will be lost to general aviation.
The AOPA Members Working Group recognises that the pilot’s response is generally not to seek help, but to turn to other pursuits.
The Mentoring Scheme would put them in touch with more experienced pilots on whom they can call informally for advice and assistance – a sort of ‘buddy system’ which would give the uncertain pilot the confidence to tackle a flight they would not otherwise attempt. At its most basic, this might be a matter of being accompanied on a land-away by someone who’s been there before.
AOPA can act as a clearing-house between pilots who need a comforting presence in the cockpit and more experienced pilots who are willing to help them. Formalising this contact system makes it easier to ask for help.
This scheme addresses a ‘sub-instruction’ dimension which is not adequately provided for. AOPA’s roster of more experienced pilots would never replace instructors – indeed, on first contact they would be required to evaluate whether a pilot was really asking for instruction, and would refer him to an instructor immediately should there be any suggestion that this was the case. The less-experienced pilot would remain PIC and would handle the controls. The more experienced pilot would neither log the time nor charge for it. The situation would be no different from having two friends, both qualified pilots, in the aircraft at the same time.
It’s a simple sounding concept but much work has gone into establishing the basics, not least in terms of liability and limits of responsibility. It has been decided to launch the scheme for VFR flights only, and to look to extend it to IFR after a shakedown period.
All responsibility for the safety and legality of any flight will lie with the PIC, who will normally be the person being mentored. In order to be part of the AOPA scheme, both mentors and mentees must meet the following minimum requirements:
Mentors – current PPL/CPL, current medical and current class rating, plus CRI and/or AOPA Silver Wings, and a minimum of 200 hours P1.
Mentees – current PPL, current medical, and AOPA Bronze Wings.
Both mentors and mentees must register with AOPA, providing documentary evidence of these qualifications. This will be done via AOPA airfield representatives where available, otherwise through head office. Mentors and mentees indemnify AOPA from responsibility for the outcome of the mentorship. However, AOPA will have liability insurance in case the indemnity is found to be inadequate. Additionally, both mentor and mentee must take responsibility for checking each other’s qualifications before flight. In particular the mentor must check the legality of the flight.
In order to be a registered mentor, members must familiarise themselves with the guidance notes and attend a workshop.
The guidance notes set out how it must be made clear before the flight who is the Commander for the whole flight. They are very comprehensive and leave no room for doubt about who does what and when.
A typical example of a VFR mentoring flight could be a trip from a Midlands airfield to Deauville in France for lunch. This would require the mentee to plan and execute the flight with appropriate guidance from the mentor. This type of flight would give the mentee an opportunity to prepare for subsequent AOPA Wings Scheme achievements and would certainly build confidence and keep the fun in his flying.
The mentor might be required to provide advice on everything from document review to Customs and Special Branch clearances, weight and balance, weather, NOTAMs, flight planning, correct RT, fuel drawbacks, range and endurance, lost procedures – anything that helps keep a pilot from infringing controlled airspace is especially vital at this time.
Depending on the mentor’s skills and strengths he or she might provide help with farm strip flying, noise reduction, flying into major airports, or a hundred other issues.
AOPA must be satisfied that mentors meet an acceptable standard of knowledge and experience, and are in concordance with the ethos of the scheme. AOPA will arrange workshops to explain the scheme. There will be no formal flight or ground instruction, but applicants will be expected to show a good understanding of their role, responsibilities and duties to themselves, the mentees and AOPA. There will be recurrency requirements and peer reviews.
Are you up for it? The purpose is to help staunch the flow of pilots out of general aviation, something that all of us have an interest in. The scheme will be rewarding for both mentors and mentees, and may just prove equally invigorating for both parties.
AOPA member Mick Elborn has agreed to project-manage the Mentoring Scheme following an appeal for volunteers in the last issue of General Aviation, and the scheme now stands a good chance of being brought to fruition during this flying season.
The Mentoring Scheme is the brainchild of Timothy Nathan, a member of the AOPA Members Working Group, and has been strongly supported by the AOPA Executive and the Instructors Committee. A complex and ambitious undertaking, it was developed principally by Timothy Nathan with help from Steve Copeland, but progress has slowed because both are extremely busy in their working lives. Mick Elborn is a retired professional project manager, single and multi pilot with more than 500 hours, and is better placed to give the scheme the impetus it needs.
HOW TO APPLY TO BECOME A MENTOR
Register your interest with mandy at aopa.co.uk indicating also whether you could attend an initial meeting at White Waltham on Saturday 18th April 1300h – 1500h.
Accommodation at WW limits us to a maximum of 20 applicants for that meeting. Don’t worry if you cannot attend this initial meeting, or if it is over subscribed and you cannot get a place. We will inform you of more meetings at differing locations that will follow.