Page 27 - July23T

truthful about your proficiency will help you avoid failure in the future. Embrace your minor mistakes now so that they don’t escalate and cause significant problems later.
As a newly (re)minted jet pilot, you’re officially in the pros, even without a commercial license. You’re operating high-performance aircraft in demanding environments along- side verified professionals whose ca- reers and lives are at stake. Treat this responsibility with the respect and deference it deserves.
With your list of weak areas in hand, create an action plan for strengthen- ing them. Determine when and how you will dedicate time and focus to practice those skills or memory items. Identify additional training you may need and understand why specific maneuvers were challenging for you. Remember that the quality of our lives is determined by the quality of the questions we ask ourselves, so ask yourself meaningful questions.
Once you draft your action plan, seek out a respected mentor or friend and ask for accountability support. Review your list and action plan with them, and get feedback and ideas
for improving your plan. Establish a frequency for connecting with them and stick to it.
A great plan is only as effective as the structure supporting it. I recom- mend using the Reminders app on Apple devices. You can set recurring reminders and notifications or es- tablish a routine where you review specific skills, systems/knowledge items, or procedures.
Some people respond well to rewards or consequences for meeting or missing goals. You could promise yourself a tail- dragger rating if you maintain a three-month study streak on Quizlet, or agree to give your mentor $100 every time you fail to meet your weekly goals.
CRUISE: Weeks Two Through Forty-Two
Enjoy the privileges of your rating and make the most of your flying opportunities. However, it’s important to remember that routine f lights without chal- lenging scenarios can create a false sense of security and proficiency. To ensure you stay sharp and prepared, consider the following training and prepara- tion activities:
Review Memory Items
Set aside time once a week to review the memory items for the
aircraft you are rated for. You can use f lashcards, digital tools like Quizlet, re- view the emergency checklist, or even ask your co-pilot to quiz you if you fly as a crew. For an extra challenge, aim to memorize the Emergency Checklist tab for each memory item.
Practice Emergencies
While on the ground and in a safe environment, simulate emergency sce- narios specific to your aircraft. Verbal- ize and mimic the required actions without creating an actual in-flight emergency. For instance, you can pick a CAS (Crew Alerting System) mes- sage or scenario, such as smoke in the cabin. Set a timer, execute any memo- ry items, respond to it promptly, and follow up with the Emergency Quick Reference Handbook (QRH). Keep a log of your response times and identify areas where you struggle the most. Fo- cus on strengthening your weak mem- ory items through targeted practice.
If you fly with a co-pilot or a non- pilot partner, ask them to surprise you with emergency scenarios or ran- domly choose CAS lights. This helps replicate the startle factor associated with real emergencies and enhances your preparedness.
Emergency QRH
Pay particular attention to the Emergency Checklists provided in your aircraft’s QRH. Once you have completed the memory items,
July 2023 / TWIN & TURBINE • 25