Like many aviation enthusiasts, my introduction to general aviation and piston airplanes was Flying magazine. As a kid in the 1990s, I always looked forward to heading to the barbershop with my dad where I could read the latest copy of Flying while waiting my turn for a haircut. I hoped to see a full parking lot with a long wait inside so I’d have plenty of time to flip through all the pages and check out the latest pictures of Beech Barons, King Airs and the new Cessna 172s and 182s that were coming off the line again in Wichita, Kansas.
How To Fly Single-Pilot IFR with a Digital Copilot
Key Takeaways:
- Inspired by aviation legend Richard Collins, the author emphasizes that safe single-pilot IFR flying hinges on meticulous preparation and proactively staying "ahead of the airplane," beyond just practicing instrument approaches.
- Modern Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) apps like Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight now act as a "digital copilot," providing crucial automated assistance for all flight phases, from preflight weather alerts and clearances to in-flight warnings and post-landing navigation.
- While technology significantly enhances safety and reduces workload, the pilot-in-command retains full responsibility for understanding and validating alerts to maintain situational awareness and prevent the error chain.
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