Conducting an Effective Flight Review
• Does the computer-generated information pass the “common sense” test?
(Garbage-in, garbage-out is a fundamental principle in any kind of
automation. If a pilot headed for Augusta, Georgia (KAGS) mistakenly asks
for KAUG, the resulting flight plan will go to Augusta, Maine instead.)
• Does this plan include all the information I am required to consider? (Some
planning tools compute only course and distance, without regard to wind,
terrain, performance, and other factors in a safety-focused flight plan).
• Does this plan keep me out of trouble? (What if the computer-proposed
course takes you through high terrain in high density altitude conditions?)
• What will I do if I cannot complete the flight according to this plan? (Weather
can always interfere, but pilots should also understand that flight planning
software does not always generate ATC-preferred routes for IFR flying.)
Each of these questions is directed to a critical point that you should emphasize:
automated flight planning tools can be enormously helpful, but the pilot must
always review the information with a critical eye, frequently supplement the
computer’s plan with additional information, and never simply assume that the
computer-generated package “must be” okay because the machine is smarter.
Asking these kinds of questions is key to critical thinking, which is in turn the
secret to good aeronautical decision-making (ADM) and risk management.
There are many models for ADM, including charts that provide quantitative
assessment and generate a numerical “score” that pilots can use in evaluating
the level of risk. Although these tools can be useful, you may want to present the
“3-P” method developed by the FAA Aviation Safety Program. This model
encourages the pilot to Perceive hazards, Process risk level, and Perform risk
management by asking a series of questions about various aspects of the flight.
The handout in Appendix 5 explains this method in detail.
Since statistics show that weather is still the factor
most likely to result in accidents with fatalities, the
XC flight plan assignment also provides an
important opportunity to discuss weather and
weather decision-making. The GA Pilot’s Guide to
Preflight Weather Planning, Weather Self-
Briefings, and Weather Decision-Making, which uses the 3-P method as a
framework for weather decision-making, might be helpful in this discussion. If the
pilot flies VFR at night, be sure to talk about night flying considerations,
especially in overcast or “no moon” conditions.
GA Security: In the post-September 11 security environment, any security
incident involving general aviation pilots, aircraft, and airports can prompt calls
for new restrictions. As a flight instructor, you have a special responsibility to
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