Tue Apr 13, 2021 9:57 am
#1840170
There are a few things I do, albeit early in my flying experience, and they are possibly not the most 'positive, optimistic' things! I add my contribution here more for students and low hour pilots like me, who might have less ingrained behaviours and established practice.
1) Don't assume someone else has taken care of something, just because they probably did
First off, I always think of one of those rather naff 'ancient Chinese proverbs' that have stuck with me:
"Even the greatest fool can ask a question that the wisest man cannot answer"
What I mean by this is that I had to very forcibly stop myself assuming that others knew better and that something had been taken care of for me, just because I didn't have any experience of the issue, or knew nothing about it.
To give you an example:
Yesterday was my first flight for 6 months and as a renter I needed a check flight with my FI. On pre-flight, I noticed that that noseleg fork gaiter cover was covered in coolant. I had already checked the coolant levels and they were fine, so I could have assumed that it was a spillage as the aircraft had had some maintenance done on it earlier in the day. Instead, I was right to get my FI to have a look under the hood with me and speak to the engineer (who confirmed they had accidentally spilled a bit).
As a student, or a low-hours PPL, it is so easy to assume that things are fine, or that 'someone else has taken care of the maintenance, so it can't be a problem', but I've had to very deliberately teach myself to question things if they don't look right, even if they are absolutely fine (and it's a good learning experience), rather than shy away from asking the question.
Particularly if you are a renter (but it likely applies universally), if something doesn't look right, speak up. Even if it's perfectly normal, it's still healthy to ask. There would be a lot more people alive today if only they had questioned something.
As an aside, if you're renting, it also shows the school that you care about these things. The aircraft I rented yesterday was an absolutely dog; after the lockdown it was caked in the fuselage with grime and mould, the seat cushion was missing, the panel was filthy, the engine ran quite rough in the cruise (which was a known problem) and the throttle was stiff. Not to the point of it being an issue at all, but highlighting the issues to the school at least lets them remain aware that you're noting these things! I wouldn't want to take my wife up in it, because it wouldn't inspire confidence!
2. Reluctantly, assume the worst
It's quite pessimistic to think this way, but if your life is the one in question - or that of a passenger - I find it healthy to constantly ask: what could go wrong now or next - and what would I do about it?
E.g. engine failure on climbout, trim runaway, fire on startup etc. But not just safety stuff; what would I do if my passenger felt sick? What would I do if I took my dad up and he had a heart attack (not suggesting my flying is sufficient to give him one, but these things happen, right!?)
I enjoy reading AAIB/Chirp etc on the basis of the wide range of scenarios and vicarious experience that it exposes to you. While there is undoubtedly awful tragedy in some of the reports, there is always something you can learn and apply to your own situation. As I read each one, I always ask myself what would I have done and what would I do?
3. When on your own, talk to yourself
Particularly yesterday, solo after a short check ride, I find it really useful to say out loud my checks, or what I'm about to do, or what I'm doing or thinking, even if I'm on my own. It forces you to slow down and actually DO what you're saying, rather than thinking about it and not doing it.
As an example, it is very easy for things like TWASFUN and BUMMMFITCHH to become box-ticking exercises if you say them in your head quickly. But if you say them out loud, it slows me down just enough to compel me to actually check the doors are still latched and my seatbelt is tight, for example.
When lining up, I talk through my takeoff plan and abort decision out loud.
I should add that I don't talk to myself in real life, well, not that often.