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which usually means continuing as planned to the intended destination or “rising to the challenge” when prompted to do something unusual or that requires advanced skill.
I’m convinced that the difference between good decisions and bad ones is mindset, or the proper outlook toward the conduct of a flight. Pilots look for trouble during instructional flights (pessimists) and make decisions based on getting out of that trouble. In all other flying, pilots tend to ignore trouble even when it is blatantly obvious, or they assume that things will get better whether there is evidence to support it or not (optimists). Balked landings, getting a mechanic to check out an indication before you fly, diverting because of weather, failing to run a checklist you’d use with an instructor or evaluator at your side... any number of other decisions you must make every time you take up the mantle of Pilot-in-Command are not limitations on your day-to-day flying, they are additional options you have available to help you master your aircraft and•to keep your pas- sengers and yourself safe.
We all just need to be a little less optimistic when we fly. You’ve probably heard it before, but the adage is true: To make good decisions, train like you fly, fly like you train. T&T
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Thomas P. Turner is an ATP CFII/MEI, holds a mas- ter's Degree in Aviation Safety, and was the 2010 National FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year. Subscribe to Tom’s free FLYING LESSONS Weekly e-newsletter at www.mastery-flight-training.com.
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