So what the hell is skill fade?
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
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Golf? That's one skill that I'll never lose.
I've never had any.
I've never had any.
In Oman, when the Omani pilots came back from leave they had to do a full week of PLT (Post Leave Training), before they were let loose on the unsuspecting public on their own!
And believe me they needed it! Skill fade- more like skill forgot.
And believe me they needed it! Skill fade- more like skill forgot.
Join Date: May 2010
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Hmmm, I have read number of memoirs of Vietnam War era military pilots.
Apparently they all had proficiency checks after 2 weeks leave. And most of them considered it necessary as in their own words the were getting 'rusty' that fast.
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Apparently they all had proficiency checks after 2 weeks leave. And most of them considered it necessary as in their own words the were getting 'rusty' that fast.
&
Join Date: Oct 2001
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Anyone on the receiving end of one of my Talkdowns after a fortnight's leave knew exactly what skill fade is/was! 
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Applies across all ATC disciplines. In Area Radar back in the 70s one was always cautious about putting people on busy/complex consoles straight after being on leave. A day or so on quiet control positions restored equilibrium.
Join Date: Oct 2001
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I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Post leave was always contentious. Two crews may just have gone on leave and two returned so the sqn was down four crews. Pressure on to get them back up to speed but there was the little question of signing for order books.
Properly done the crew should have had time to read all the books refreshing the orders, learning any changes etc etc. In practice crews would sign a signature books saying they had read them.
Friend of mine returned from leave as his F4 sqn was warned for deployment to Gibraltar. He asked for time to refresh his skills. His nav boss didn't allow him the time he needed. As predicted he hit the runway lip. I think they tried to court martial him.
Properly done the crew should have had time to read all the books refreshing the orders, learning any changes etc etc. In practice crews would sign a signature books saying they had read them.
Friend of mine returned from leave as his F4 sqn was warned for deployment to Gibraltar. He asked for time to refresh his skills. His nav boss didn't allow him the time he needed. As predicted he hit the runway lip. I think they tried to court martial him.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
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I very nearly lost my Local ticket in Singapore. We had Sgt controllers who, in those days, only did Local. So the rest of us hardly ever got a look in once we were endorsed, unless one of them went on leave. I found myself up there, after many many months away to find myself in the middle of an Exercise! WSRT was the target for attacks, and launching both attackers and defenders. It only took about an hour for me to lose the plot completely with about a dozen on frequency, all priority scrambles, launches, attacks and recoveries.
OC Flying (MWPK) wanted my ticket, but SATCO persuaded him otherwise.
OC Flying (MWPK) wanted my ticket, but SATCO persuaded him otherwise.
