Familiarity in flying has several components. There is the foundational element of general familiarity with airplanes and how to fly them. There is familiarity with systems; this may be of a general kind (knowing how to lean the mixture or adjust a constant-speed propeller, for instance) or specific to a particular airplane or type (such as knowing to use the left main tank of an old Beech Bonanza for takeoff when both mains are full because all return fuel from the injection pump goes to the left tank).
A Pilot Gets Caught Between Procedure and Instinct
Mistakes breed in the shadowy land between the systematic and the instinctive.
Key Takeaways:
- Familiarity in flying is multifaceted, encompassing general knowledge, specific aircraft systems, handling characteristics, and performance, with both insufficient and excessive familiarity posing risks.
- Lack of specific aircraft familiarity, even for experienced pilots, is a major factor in accidents, leading to errors like overcontrolling sensitive aircraft, improper trim use, or incorrect fuel management.
- Case studies, including a Lancair pilot's fatal first flight, Comanche pilots mismanaging unique trim systems, and a pilot's fuel selection error, illustrate how unconscious habits and unfamiliar design quirks contribute to accidents.
- Mitigating these risks requires pilots to consciously employ systematic procedures, such as checklists, to override instinctive actions and prevent unconscious errors when transitioning to or operating unfamiliar aircraft.
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