Aero-Tips!
A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard
this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer
statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of
"there are no old, bold pilots.")
Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner,
master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us
-- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators. Some of them, you
may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be
something we might never have considered before, or something that
didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized
it for the practical test.
Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you
through the Aero-News Network.
Aero-Tips 12.06.06
A unique concept that has arisen with the advent of Very Light
Jets (VLJs) is that of the "mentor pilot". Mentor pilots are flight
instructors designed to work with a pilot new to turbine airplanes
after the new pilot has passed a Type Rating checkride for the jet
(as required by FAA), but before the VLJ manufacturer and/or the
airplane insurance carrier wants that pilot to fly as
pilot-in-command. The idea is to introduce an apprenticeship phase
to new jet pilots, similar to the on-the-job training new airline
pilots or military aviators in multipilot airplanes receive before
moving into the captain's chair.
A mentorship phase may be a requirement for many VLJ pilots as
the jets enter the general aviation fleet, but there's no reason
you can't take advantage of this sort of learning experience even
if you're not flying a jet airplane. Look around-there may be
high-time pilots at your local airport who are willing to go along
on a trip or two to show you the techniques they use in their
flying. Maybe there's a recently retired (or furloughed) airline
pilot in your neighborhood just itching to get in the air again,
and willing to teach you some of what they've learned. If you can't
find a mentor pilot try contacting AOPA's Project Pilot or the
Experimental Aircraft Association's EAA Flight Advisors programs and ask
for a referral in your area.
The mentor pilot does not have to be a certificated instructor,
or even medically qualified to act as pilot-in-command (so long as
you meet the requirements). What they do have to be is
enthusiastic, patient, and capable of providing constructive
criticism and guidance that will make you a better pilot.
Aero-tip of the day: Take advantage of a pilot
mentorship program, especially if you're new to a type (high
performance, IFR, etc.) of flying.