Be a Better Pilot

jspeed87

jspeed87

Well-Known Member
I was reading a article in AOPA flight training where they gave like tips on how to be a Better Pilot. I can't remember the list right now but they mentioned things like: Check magnatic heading for proper runway before taking off, add right rudder before you even add full power, practice no flap landings, ect. I'll throw my own 2 cents...

1. Have your own personal minimums.

2. Stay organized in the cockpit.

3. Always do a proper preflight.

4.. I won't take-off if I'm not satisfied with the engine indications/airplane.

5.. Always do a lights, camara, action. before take-off.

6.. Buy Stick and Rudder.

Feel free to add more to the list.
 
Wear a headset. No matter if it's $50 or $1,000, just wear one. Don't make ATC have to repeat because you couldn't hear them, and don't make them have to ask to you repeat because they couldn't understand you. It's an inconvenience, potentially unsafe, and delays people behind you.
 
Jpax said:
Wear a headset. No matter if it's $50 or $1,000, just wear one. Don't make ATC have to repeat because you couldn't hear them, and don't make them have to ask to you repeat because they couldn't understand you. It's an inconvenience, potentially unsafe, and delays people behind you.
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lol wow it must be painful not to wear headsets. :eek:
 
Jpax said:
Wear a headset. No matter if it's $50 or $1,000, just wear one.
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Ummm....is this actually a problem with some pilots still? I thought going without a headset went out of style 15 or 20 years ago.
 
Jpax said:
Wear a headset. No matter if it's $50 or $1,000, just wear one. Don't make ATC have to repeat because you couldn't hear them, and don't make them have to ask to you repeat because they couldn't understand you. It's an inconvenience, potentially unsafe, and delays people behind you.
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He is a "senior member."
 
Theres a starduster in the hangar next to our cherokee that I fly occasionally wit the owner and I dont wear a headset in it. Mostly because it fun to hear everything in a open cockpit plane.
 
jrh said:
Ummm....is this actually a problem with some pilots still? I thought going without a headset went out of style 15 or 20 years ago.
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Just last week, some guy in a Skyhawk was doing 80kts trying to set up for an instrument approach at MLB while I was shooting a visual coming in at about 150kts. The Skyhawk and Orlando went back and forth at least twice on directions, every time. It was ridiculous and a waste of my time. I was vectored far out and reduced to 100kts while the controller figured out what the hell was being said.
 
stesta5074 said:
What does lights, camera, action stand for again?
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Usually it's used when entering the runway for takeoff.

Lights -- Strobes/anti-collision/landing lights on.
Camera -- Transponder on. So ATC can see you with their "camera."
Action -- Mixture rich/fuel pump on. You do these actions so that you don't get some unwanted "action" in the form of an engine failure shortly after liftoff.

At least that's how I've seen it done before.
 
Jpax said:
Just last week, some guy in a Skyhawk was doing 80kts trying to set up for an instrument approach at MLB while I was shooting a visual coming in at about 150kts. The Skyhawk and Orlando went back and forth at least twice on directions, every time. It was ridiculous and a waste of my time. I was vectored far out and reduced to 100kts while the controller figured out what the hell was being said.
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Are you sure the pilot didn't have a headset? Could have been a crappy transmitter, crappy receiver, crappy boom mic, or the pilot using a hand mic for some reason.
 
jrh said:
Are you sure the pilot didn't have a headset? Could have been a crappy transmitter, crappy receiver, crappy boom mic, or the pilot using a hand mic for some reason.
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Only reason I argue he didn't have a headset was a long delay from the time Orlando said something to the time the Skyhawk replied. Also, there were 1-3 second gaps during transmission, as if he would use the hand with the mic in it for a moment.

Either way-- get a dang fangled proper communications apparatus!
 
Sometimes on short empty leg flights we'll go speaker only in the VII.



Anyhow,

Always know your airplane. Its limitations, systems, etc.
 
I teach HAT check while lining up on the runway..

Heading(proper runway)....Altimeter(set)....Transponder(check to make sure it's on)
 
A Cub at 500 feet, door/window open, uncontrolled airspace...no need for a headset. Waco, in uncontrolled airspace - no need for a headset. No need for any radios actually...it is nice.
 
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