Out of the pattern

In aviation, we gain experience in many ways. We can become really good at flying the local traffic pattern—hitting that base turn at just the right place every time—but, really, how useful is that experience when you fly to the next airport and the landmarks are all different?

The controversial regulation requiring that airline pilots have an ATP certificate and its requisite 1,500 hours of experience is seen as a joke by many in aviation, because the quality of most of those hours as obtained by many pilots does not relate well to actual airline flying. Flight instructing is an admirable trade—and we need more flight instructors—but let’s not pretend that spending 1,500 hours teaching students how to land a Cessna 172 brings a lot of skill into day-to-day airline flying.

I’ve owned a Beechcraft Bonanza of one sort or another for more than 23 years. I have thousands of hours flying Bonanzas, and I think I’m fairly competent at it, but if that were my only aviation experience, I wouldn’t consider myself all that skilled. If all those flights were from long, paved runways on nice days with calm winds, how well would I do if I were to find myself flying into a challenging weather situation, or attempting to land in a crosswind, or flying over mountains into a short runway?

As pilots we should seek healthy challenges to build robust skills that increase our safety and broaden our horizons. Imagine if Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s entire aviation experience consisted only of flying an Airbus on that day when a flock of geese took out both his engines, forcing that miraculous landing on the Hudson River. Undoubtedly his military flying and particularly his glider experience helped save the day.

As pilots we should seek healthy challenges to build robust skills that increase our safety and broaden our horizons.Famed pilot R.A. “Bob” Hoover entertained millions, and he demonstrated the amazing capabilities of the Rockwell Shrike Commander only because of his breadth of experience flying all manner of military airplanes during all types of harrowing missions and test flights earlier in his career.

I’ve written before about how earning a seaplane rating helps me to better judge the winds from above. I’m a low-time seaplane pilot, but better on every flight for the couple of techniques I learned during those sessions on the water. Similarly, I don’t have a lot of experience flying in the mountains, but I’ve learned enough to advise a pilot I was flying with recently over some challenging terrain that we should be hugging the sunny side of the canyon to increase lift and to give us more radius to turn around should we need it. Another tip, cross a ridgeline at a 45-degree angle to give yourself a chance to turn away if winds at the apex become problematic. All basic stuff for experienced mountain fliers, but helpful insights upon occasion for the rest of us—all learned by stretching our aviation experience beyond the local area or our favorite model of airplane.

Tailwheel and glider flying are other often-cited skill- and experience-builders. But, really, any flying beyond your day-to-day can bring new insights. I have the opportunity to fly business jets occasionally. I’ve learned a lot about preflight planning, descent planning, autopilots, and fuel management that have helped me hone my Bonanza flying. I’ve also learned a lot about wing loading and crosswind landings from flying light sport aircraft.

Getting access to different types of aircraft and experiences can be challenging. However, opportunities can be found. Not that long ago it was rare to find a flight school with a tailwheel airplane on the line. Both the flight schools at my home airport in Frederick, Maryland, offer tailwheel training these days, and I’ve noticed other schools doing the same. Joining a flying club can be another way to gain access to a variety of aircraft. I know several aircraft owners who also belong to a club, just to be able to fly aerobatic or tailwheel airplanes occasionally. There are many seaplane schools in Florida and the Upper Midwest. Specialty mountain courses are offered frequently in the Western states. Flights in any such airplanes can be used to accomplish your required flight review.

Put those training hours to good use by trying something new that will help you fly better every day.