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Get the most out of the emergency checklist

July 4, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

I recently gave a flight review to an experienced pilot who flies a modern Cessna single-engine airplane for recreation and transportation purposes. A topic we covered thoroughly was emergency procedures, since most pilots don’t encounter emergencies often over the course of normal flight operations. After retaining positive control of the airplane and accomplishing a few critical memory items (if necessary for the situation), your […]

After the checkride – making a plan to stay engaged

June 26, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

Get the most out of the emergency checklist

July 4, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

After the checkride – making a plan to stay engaged

June 26, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

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Get the most out of the emergency checklist

July 4, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

Memory items are shown in bold in the factory Cessna checklist.

Now before going further, let me clarify memory items — these are tasks you should have committed to memory at all times for that particular airplane model. For example, in a Cessna 172 when experiencing an engine fire in flight, you should, without delay, pull the mixture to idle cut off, turn off the fuel shutoff valve, verify the auxiliary fuel pump is turned off and then turn the electrical master switch off.

The intent here is to cut off all sources of fuel to the engine as soon as possible — pulling out a checklist after seeing flames would waste valuable time and allow the fire to further increase in intensity. Once those items are complete, then grab the checklist and follow the remaining steps for that scenario. You’ll find the memory items listed in bold in the POH, and many quick-reference checklists highlight memory items in yellow to help you quickly identify them.

The newer aircraft models, like the Cessna 172R, have a thorough listing of emergency checklist procedures. There are 18 separate emergency procedures for the 172R model. Most are cut and dry like engine failures, fires, icing and electrical system malfunctions. But like everything in life, emergency scenarios in the airplane aren’t always cut and dry. They may result from a combination of factors that will require you to run through several different emergency checklists.

For example, after finishing the Engine Fire in Flight checklist, you need to keep your brain working to think about what needs to happen next. You lost your engine and are now a glider, so you then need to look at the Emergency Landing without Engine Power checklist to prepare for and execute an off airport landing.

There are other situations that could occur that aren’t explicitly covered by the emergency checklist. One example that comes to mind is the partial loss of engine power. A quick glance at the checklist in the cockpit will list procedures for total engine failure, but nothing for partial-power loss. This is where your knowledge of the airplane systems will come into play to help you play detective and figure out what is happening.

The urgency of the situation depends on altitude, the amount of power loss, oil temp/pressure readings, and what type of terrain you are flying over. If you’re able to maintain altitude, common sense would tell you to find the nearest airport and start heading that way. If it looks like you’re still descending at best glide speed and are out of range of an airport, run the engine failure checklist which will get you thinking about and troubleshooting items related to fuel, induction air and ignition/magnetos.

You should be familiar with the content in the expanded emergency checklist at all times.

You should be familiar with the content in the amplified emergency checklist at all times.

If none of those checklist items work and you have time to further diagnose the situation before an off-field landing becomes necessary, grab the POH and refer to the Amplified Emergency Procedures section. This is just after the Emergency Procedures and contains helpful information on how to deal with additional abnormal scenarios. While this section was not designed for in-flight use, a quick glance may help you come up with a solution if time permits. For example, there is a section on Rough Engine Operation/Loss of Power that will prove very useful in this scenario. It will lead you to troubleshoot the magnetos, check for spark plug fouling, fuel-pump failure, excessive fuel vapor, fuel selector issues and low oil pressure.

The main takeaway here is don’t wait every two years for a flight review or an actual emergency to get your brain thinking about “what-if” scenarios. It’s normal throughout your training for your instructor to continually simulate emergencies with you in the airplane, but once you get your certificate you’ll find these events really don’t happen that often. Make it a point to review the POH every few months and also read the Amplified Emergency Procedures section for helpful narratives on troubleshooting techniques.

The opening paragraph to that section in the Cessna POH summarizes it best: this information should be reviewed prior to flying the airplane, as well as reviewed on a regular basis to keep pilot’s knowledge of procedures fresh.

After the checkride – making a plan to stay engaged

June 26, 2014/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnews

During flight training, it’s natural to focus on the big hurdles: the medical, first solo, knowledge test and checkride. Those are certainly important, and they deserve your attention. But many student pilots get so focused on the training process that they never think about flying after the checkride is over. It’s sort of like building a house and being so focused on the plumbing and drywall that you never think about what your house will look like or how you’ll live in it.

That may sound crazy–after all, there are so many things to do with a pilot’s license–but I know of more than a few pilots who struggled to stay engaged in aviation after earning their license. After giving rides to a few friends and chasing a few $100 hamburgers, what comes next? Call it the hangover effect: once the strict syllabus and schedule of flight training are gone, it can be tough to fly regularly and keep improving your skills.

So how can you avoid this hangover? Every pilot is different, and the right answer for you depends on what you want out of aviation–fun, transportation, career or something else. But recent research by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) suggests three practical ways to keep flying after you cross the finish line. Each of these share something in common with flight training, which may explain why they’re effective.

Flying with a purpose

Spending an afternoon boring holes in the sky, or watching a sunset from 500 ft., are wonderful things, and every pilot should fly at least occasionally with no mission other than fun. But for many pilots, giving back or supporting a cause they believe in can make flying a much more rewarding and interesting experience. It’s a powerful motivator to stay current and active.

There are numerous organizations that pilots can support with their time. One of the best-known (and most rewarding) is EAA’s Young Eagles program, where local pilots give young people their first airplane ride. I’ve done many Young Eagles flight myself, and there really is nothing more fun than watching a kid’s eyes light up as they take to the air for the first time. You’re also helping to keep general aviation strong, by introducing the next generation to the wonders of personal flying.

Another popular option is flying patients from their homes to faraway cities to receive treatment, for free. In many cases, these flights truly are life-saving, as patients would otherwise not receive the required care. Patient Airlift Services (PALS) is a particularly well-run organization, although there are many others. Find one close to you and see if it’s a fit for your skills and your airplane. Note that most organizations have minimum pilot times you must comply with, but some are fairly low.

Challenge yourself

One of the main reasons people learn to fly is for the challenge of it–learning a new skill is a fun and rewarding experience. Most pilots I know are goal-oriented achievers, so the thought of checking a new box is very exciting. That doesn’t have to stop after you earn a Private Pilot certificate, though.

What are some new challenges you can take on? The obvious one is to add a new rating. Many pilots consider the Instrument Rating to be an even more rewarding challenge than the Private Pilot certificate, and its privileges allow you to make a lot more trips. Besides the Instrument Rating, other options include a tailwheel checkout (great for stick and rudder skills), a multi-engine rating (great for career-oriented pilots) or a glider rating (just plain fun).

Even if you don’t pursue a formal rating, checking out in a new airplane can offer good training and some fun new options. If you learned in a 172, log some time in a 182 or try a low wing airplane. It will make you a better pilot and is good motivation to keep flying.

Another great way to challenge yourself is to take a long trip, whether it’s a family vacation or a flight to Oshkosh for the big fly-in. Planning such trips is half the fun, as you learn to consider subjects like long distance weather, new terrain, and unfamiliar airports. The flying is good fun too, as you see new places and meet new people along the way. There’s almost no better feeling as a pilot than completing a big trip safely and successfully. After all, traveling to new places is probably one of the reasons you learned to fly!

Friends/clubs

AOPA research has identified what many pilots already know: flying is about much more than the time in the right seat. The social and community aspects of aviation are a critical part of a pilot’s life.

Whether it’s as a member of a formal flying club, a group of airport buddies or a family member who’s also a pilot, find a “support group” of other aviators. Flying with someone else is almost always more fun, but there’s also a lot to learn from these experiences. Some of my most educational flights weren’t dual logged with a CFI, but flights with a more experienced pilot.

Having someone else who’s interested in your flying is also a good motivator to stay active. Much like weight loss programs encourage you to find a training partner, a flying partner means someone else is depending on you to be there. Clubs offer the additional benefit of monthly meetings, educational seminars and structured social events. Even if the weather is bad, a club or informal flying group can make the airport a fun place to be.

Whatever you choose to do with your license, make it part of a deliberate plan. If you wait to fly until you’re free and the weather is perfect, it’s unlikely you’ll log many hours. With a little bit of structure or some new goals, you may find flying becomes an even more important part of your day-to-day life. That’s a good thing!

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Get the most out of the emergency checklist

After the checkride – making a plan to stay engaged

Get the most out of the emergency checklist

After the checkride – making a plan to stay engaged

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Get the most out of the emergency checklist

After the checkride – making a plan to stay engaged

Flying with a purpose

Challenge yourself

Friends/clubs

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