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Don’t say that! 5 phrases to avoid when flying with passengers

June 29, 2015/in Tips and technique/by Studentpltnews

Sometimes it’s the little things that matter most. A great example is the words we use in the cockpit. Talking is a great way to dispel some fears for a new flyer, but be careful: casual statements can have a powerful effect. Here are five things you shouldn’t say in the cockpit when you’re flying with passengers.

5 Tips for Solo Cross-Country Flying

June 19, 2015/in Having fun/by Studentpltnews

Learning to fly is an amazing experience. And flying solo is a part of the experience that can really get your blood pumping. While the excitement never subsides, I’ve found these five tips really help to make my flights safer and more enjoyable.

Don’t say that! 5 phrases to avoid when flying with passengers

June 29, 2015/in Tips and technique/by Studentpltnews

5 Tips for Solo Cross-Country Flying

June 19, 2015/in Having fun/by Studentpltnews

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Don’t say that! 5 phrases to avoid when flying with passengers

June 29, 2015/in Tips and technique/by Studentpltnews

Flying is simply too good to keep to ourselves. Whether it’s a friend, family member or neighbor, bringing a passenger along is a great way to make your next $100 hamburger flight more fun. It’s also a wonderful way to welcome a new person into the amazing world of aviation.

Flying a young person? It’s especially important to watch what you say.

But with that fun comes some responsibility. For most non-pilots, it’s a big step to go flying in a general aviation airplane – filled with excitement but also fear. We need to respect that, and do everything possible to make flying less stressful. That means flying in good weather, being smooth on the controls and landing as soon as it’s not fun.

Sometimes, though, it’s the little things that matter most. A great example is the words we use in the cockpit. Talking is a great way to dispel some fears for a new flyer, so I make it a point to discuss some of the most commonly asked questions before and during a flight. But be careful here: casual statements can have a powerful effect if you’re not thinking.

Here are five things you shouldn’t say in the cockpit when you’re flying with passengers. Trust me, I learned these the hard way.

“Fire!” One day, while droning along over central Georgia at 7000 ft., I noticed a huge forest fire off the left wing. When I excitedly pointed it out to my non-pilot passenger, I only said “Fire!” My friend assumed I meant the engine was on fire, and looked at me with panic in his eyes. Note to self: the correct phrase is, “Look down at the ground and notice the forest fire.”
“I think we can make it.” Passengers don’t like to hear doubt from their pilot. Whether you have 50 hours or 5,000 they assume you know exactly what you’re doing. So instead of wavering, summon up your best airline captain voice and declare confidently that “we’ll be landing in 10 minutes.” Better yet, if you only think you can make it, you probably need to reconsider what you’re doing.
“Uh oh.” Another one that is loaded with meaning you probably don’t intend. I said this once after dropping my pen between the seats in a Cessna 210. Hardly an emergency, but my right seat passenger (who had been dozing) bolted upright. Better to say nothing at all.
“I’ve never seen that before.” This is one we’ve all thought before, but it’s best to keep this as just a thought. Engine gauge start acting a little odd? GPS flash a message you don’t recognize? Pay attention, and find out what the root cause is, but do it in a very calm and thoughtful way. Again, the idea is to make your passenger feel like you can handle anything (we pilots know it’s a lie).
“Watch this!” Far too many pilots think their passengers are looking for a thrill ride when they jump into the right seat. They’re usually not. Showing off with steep turns, stalls or buzz jobs will only scare your flying companion, and “watch this” is how many of these bad ideas start. You’re not on stage when you’re flying.

When it comes to flying with passengers, the best advice is to be boring. Simply leaving the ground and seeing the world from another perspective is exciting enough for most non-pilots; there’s no need to push the envelope or add stress.

In other words, don’t be like the pilots in Monty Python:

Any mistakes you’ve learned the hard way? Add a comment below.

5 Tips for Solo Cross-Country Flying

June 19, 2015/in Having fun/by Studentpltnews

Learning to fly is an amazing experience. And flying solo is a part of the experience that can really get your blood pumping. You have no one else to depend upon except yourself. It’s an empowering, yet frightening experience. Once you start venturing away from the practice area, a whole new world of experiences opens up for you.

I can remember my first few solo cross country flights. I was in a Piper Warrior renting at $55 an hour wet (try to find that today). I had a close encounter with a yellow Cessna 195, landed with a flat nose wheel tire, and asked a tower controller if I could turn on course…into the path of a DC9. Yes, there were some growing pains, but each flight was filling up that oh-so-important experience bucket.

Fast forward to today with more than a decade of flying, I still find myself on many long, solo cross country flights. While the excitement never subsides, I’ve found these five tips really help to make my flights safer and more enjoyable.

1. Bring a backup of everything. I was recently flying along on the second leg of a five hour flight and my headset microphone stopped working. No worries, I can always use the hand mic. What?! Who took the hand mic out? Luckily, I had a backup headset in my bag. Using an iPad for charts? Bring some form of paper or even another electronic source just in case – even if it’s slightly outdated. Flashlights? At least two. And a hand-held radio is a must.

2. Keep you flight bag on the right seat. The seat is empty anyway so you might as well keep your toys handy. Your backups are always close at hand.

3. Learn the Avionics. Do you know everything there is to know about that GPS in the panel or the navigation app you’re using? To pass some time over the desolate Kansas landscape, start learning the functions. Use this opportunity to experiment with setting up VNAV, performing flight calculations and editing flight plans.

4. Take advantage of flight following. I’m not a big fan of talking to ATC, but long flights are an excellent opportunity to practice radio communications. It’ll also help keep your mind on the flight. Having the resources of ATC to help look for aircraft is extremely valuable and they’re always just a key of the mic away in the event of an emergency.

5. Listen to Music. Instructors hate this tip. How dare you institute a distraction in the cockpit!!! Studies show that people are more focused and productive at work when they are listening to music. After several drowsy long flights, I started listening to music. It definitely helps keep your brain in the game. I only listen en route. Adhere to your own form of sterile cockpit rule and turn it off when you approach your destination.

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Don’t say that! 5 phrases to avoid when flying with passengers

5 Tips for Solo Cross-Country Flying

Don’t say that! 5 phrases to avoid when flying with passengers

5 Tips for Solo Cross-Country Flying

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Don’t say that! 5 phrases to avoid when flying with passengers

5 Tips for Solo Cross-Country Flying

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