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.

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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.

FMI: Aero-Tips