Register

Practicing Flow Motion in Sim

Muscle memory behind setting up an aircraft is an integral part of any professional pilot’s daily routine, whether flying a small or large aircraft.

Cessna 182 Skylane in sim. [Image courtesy Peter James]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Professional pilots utilize "flows"—muscle memory patterns—to efficiently and smoothly prepare an aircraft, complementing official checklists without replacing them.
  • These systematic procedures, such as mental "catchalls" like "FATS" (flaps, air brakes, trim, speed), help pilots avoid missing crucial steps during setup or pre-flight checks.
  • Flight simulators are valuable tools for pilots to practice and internalize these essential flow patterns, enhancing real-world proficiency in aircraft preparation, from small Cessnas to business jets.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Flow motion or flows—the muscle memory behind setting up an aircraft—are an integral part of any professional pilot’s daily routine whether flying a small or large aircraft.

Over my flying career I learned every aircraft that I have flown is able to have a flow that backs up the official checklist, enabling a pattern that enables a smooth, fast start and finish to every flight all while not missing required items shown on the checklists. 

Peter James

Peter is an experienced Part 135 business jet pilot with a passion for simulators and how they blend with the real world. Learning to fly at age 12, he supplemented his passion and career goals with the early versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator. With the growing realism of all PC simulators today, he frequently uses them for extra proficiency, and loves to show other pilots how great they are.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE