by Richard Morey
© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved!
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine December 2022/January 2023 Digital Issue
In theory, we all want to be better, safer pilots. In practice, most of us are complacent with our skill level. We would like to be better but do not have a plan as to how to accomplish this. Most of us do not fly enough to maintain proficiency, let alone improve our skills. Three takeoffs and landings every 90 days will not do it. Neither will six (6) approaches in six (6) months. Being current is not the same as being competent and proficient.
The first step to becoming a better pilot is accepting that flying is a perishable skill. You quickly lose your edge with disuse. The second is committing yourself to improvement. How do we balance work, family, and our checking account, while continuing to improve our flying skills? The FAA, EAA, AOPA, NAFI and numerous other aviation organizations realize the truth to this, and the danger. I suggest that pilots take advantage of the multitude of free classes, seminars, and activities these organizations offer that are designed to help pilots improve their skill sets.
If you are not already signed up on FAAsafety.gov, you should be. This website lists FREE online classes, webinars, and safety seminars. One very useful feature is “preferences.” You can select what is of interest to you and receive email notifications of webinars and safety seminars. Registration is simple and straightforward. Do yourself a favor and spend some time on the site exploring options. The FAA now allows three (3) credits of classes to take the place of the oral portion of a flight review. Check with your flight instructor regarding how he feels about the program. I am suggesting all my flight review applicants take at least three (3) credits. Most have found it so useful, they take more!
Give Yourself A Mission!
Your local EAA Chapter offers a great opportunity to interact with other pilots. Often chapters will have fly-out activities. Fly-out breakfasts are more fun when you are sharing the ride and flying out with a group. Having a mission, rather than simply flying patterns for currency, gives us an enjoyable reason to plan a short cross-country flight, get exposed to a new airport, and share comradery.
VMC & IMC Clubs
Don’t like pancakes? EAA chapters also sponsor both VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions) and IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) clubs. Depending on your level of training, either or both could be valuable to your development as a pilot. These clubs are scenario-based and promote discussion and decision-making using real-world examples. Volunteer flight and ground instructors present the scenarios and moderate the discussions that follow. The interactive format allows pilots to hear the decision-making process among their peers, as well as examine their own reaction to the scenario. Because the actual outcome isn’t a part of the scenario, it allows for the examination of different decisions the pilot could have made along the way, based upon the information available. EAA has spent a great deal of time and resources to produce these programs. I find them very useful.
Study Groups
There are study groups available, or pilots can survey their local flying community to see if there’s interest in forming one. Some flight schools help coordinate study groups for students working on similar ratings, such as a prospective group of certified flight instructors (CFIs). EAA chapters may have ground school/mentor options for Ray Scholars and other new pilot prospects. The Wisconsin Chapter of the Ninety Nines offers an online study program twice monthly that is open to all prospective women pilots. Whether it’s through a chapter of an organization, a flight school, or just a few, like-minded pilots getting together, studying with a group can help hold you accountable and promote constructive discussion. It also helps with retaining information. Think about it…how many times have you been studying alone and been distracted, forgetting what you just read? Having to discuss and explain something helps you discover whether you really understand it. Working with others also allows you to learn new tips and share experiences. Bonus…. more hangar flying with new and old pilot friends.
Set Goals
Having a goal in mind is a great motivator. The following are a couple of good options.
WINGS Pilot Proficiency Awards Program
The FAA’s WINGS program is an excellent way to maintain and build skills. According to Advisory Circular 61-91H, “all pilots holding a recreational or higher pilot certificate may participate…in this 20-phase proficiency program.” Badges are awarded upon the completion of the first 10 phases, with certificates for the second 10. In airplanes, three (3) hours of flight training must be accomplished to include one (1) hour of basic aircraft maneuvers directed towards mastery of the airplane, one (1) hour of landings to include short field, soft field, and crosswind, and one (1) hour of instrument training in either an aircraft or simulator. The applicant must attend one (1) aviation safety program as well. Completion of a WINGS phase in an aircraft may substitute for a flight review. The WINGS program is ideal for those pilots who do best if there is a specific goal to work towards.
Fly Wisconsin Passport Program
Perhaps your mission is to visit as many airports in Wisconsin as possible and win prizes? The “Fly Wisconsin! Passport Program,” sponsored by the Wisconsin Airport Management Association (WAMA) and the Wisconsin DOT Bureau of Aeronautics, is open to all pilots and their passengers. Each participating airport has a stamp. Stamp your passport in the appropriate spot and collect as many as you wish. If you are looking for a reason to fly, this program gives you that, and is a great way to see Wisconsin and practice cross-country skills. Register online at https://2.selectsurvey.net/wisdot/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=FlyWI#. For additional information, go to http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/travel/air/pilot-info/flywi-howto.aspx, email flywi@dot.wi.gov or call 608-266-3351. Not in Wisconsin? Check to see if your state has a similar program. I know Minnesota does as well.
Challenge Yourself In Your Flying
We all would rather do what we are good at and familiar with. This is natural but does not lend itself to improvement as a pilot. Instead of doing the same old thing, consider making your next flight a bit more challenging. A simple way to do this is to fly practice power-off landings. Reduce power to idle, opposite the point of intended touchdown and see how it goes. It is not unusual to have to add power for being too low or go around for being too high. Keep working at it until you can make the runway regularly without adding power. This is a great way to get a feel for just how far you can glide your aircraft. Once you feel comfortable with power-off approaches, find something else that you want to work on. If you feel uncomfortable doing so solo, take some instruction. Believe me, your flight instructor would much rather fly with you regularly, than once every two years.
Read Your Manuals
Pilots should be familiar with all the aircraft they fly, and all the equipment in those aircraft. If you have not recently reviewed the pilot’s operating handbook for the aircraft you fly, you should. Focus on normal and emergency procedures. If you fly a GPS-equipped aircraft, spend time going over the user’s guide. The user’s guide, manuals, and downloadable simulators are generally available at the manufacturer’s website. I can honestly say that most pilots I have flown with could use additional training in GPS operations. Doing so expands what is available to you as far as tools, so why not take advantage of it?
Read Aviation Magazines
You probably subscribe to several aviation magazines. If you are reading this, you definitely subscribe to Midwest Flyer Magazine. The staff of these magazines not only want to report on what is happening in aviation, but want you to be safe, proficient pilots. Read the articles. You may not agree with all you read, but I guarantee you will find some new ideas to think about.
In Closing
Being a proficient pilot takes some work, but this work need not be a chore. Understand that piloting skills are perishable. Realize that staying legally current is not the same as being proficient. Taking advantage of the online seminars and in-person safety meetings helps keep you proficient. Finding a reason to fly, both on your own and with an instructor, will go a long way to maintaining your level of proficiency. Have a goal with your flying, be it pancakes, passports or WINGS. Read handbooks and manuals. Join a study group. Read aviation publications, especially this one, which besides the “Pilot Proficiency” column I write, there’s “Instrument Flight” by Mick Kaufman, and articles presented by AOPA and others. Take some dual instruction. Find a way to have fun with your flying, while continuing to learn and maintain proficiency. All of these steps will lead to enjoying your flying more and being a safer pilot as a result, hopefully for many years to come!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Richard Morey was born into an aviation family. He is the third generation to operate the family FBO and flight school, Morey Airplane Company at Middleton Municipal Airport – Morey Field (C29). Among Richard’s diverse roles include charter pilot, flight instructor, and airport manager. He holds an ATP, CFII, MEII, and is an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A&P) with Inspection Authorization (IA). Richard has been an active flight instructor since 1991 with over 15,000 hours instructing, and almost 19,000 hours total time. Of his many roles, flight instruction is by far his favorite! Comments are welcomed via email at Rich@moreyairport.com or by telephone at 608-836-1711. (www.MoreyAirport.com).
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this column is the expressed opinion of the author only, and readers are advised to seek the advice of their personal flight instructor and others, and refer to the Federal Aviation Regulations, FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, and instructional materials before attempting any procedures discussed herein.
