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takes practice, gradually improving performance to reach a higher personal-best over time.
Bringing a high-performance airplane into a stabilized approach path is the epitome of piloting ability, particularly when not following a published arrival procedure. In such a case, one has to plan ahead, to reach key positions with the aircraft slowing just enough to be on target for the next leg. Once acquiring the airport visually, it’s all about keeping the energy state of the airplane in balance with the deceleration required to reach a stabilized final approach.
The Final Outcome
The landing, of course, is the payoff, the subjective evaluation where many sideline judges score a pilot’s ability. But the contact of tires against pavement is only the outcome of all the prior planning and skill acquisition. I like to imagine an open window at the runway threshold, through which I must pass on the way to touchdown. At this window, I must be on speed, not too high or too low, with the aircraft configured for the landing. I cannot miss the window’s open space, and I must not allow the airplane to carry too much or too little energy beyond that window. Then, and only then, can I concentrate on the act of rolling rubber onto concrete.
When I introduce a new candidate to the task of learning to fly, I liken the process to mastering a musical instrument. One does not become a musician by learning to manipulate keys, valves and strings. Rather, one has to become part of the instrument, making it an extension of his or her will. Discipline is required to keep working at the job of growing in skill, and to maintain that skill, once acquired. Taking time off, particularly in the initial stages, invites deterioration of the meager skills so painfully learned. Discipline is key, staying the course to higher levels of ability.
Thinking ahead is the way to keep on a disciplined path. A runner has
MARCH 2016
a goal, somewhere out ahead, and along the way he or she may set shorter goals; “if I can keep going until that next milepost, I will take stock there, and if all is going well I will continue this pace.” In that way, runners eventually find themselves at the finish line, just as pilots work to perfectly pass waypoints with the airplane at the proper time, height and energy state, and thereby arrive at the destination.
Never consider the task of hand- flying to be a waste of time. It should
be seen as an opportunity to test oneself, against the ultimate judge, the airplane itself. Discipline yourself to fly a perfect liftoff and departure, to level at top-of-climb without disturbing the passengers, to plan the navigation in an efficient manner to maximize fuel remaining, and to fly a descent profile that leaves nothing undone. As helpful as the automation is, it’s only a tool, and you should discipline yourself to be capable of manually taking the aircraft anywhere the autopilot can go.
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