When I was a child there was an apple tree in our front yard. It was a joy. In the summertime you could walk up to that tree, shake it and feast on those delicious loose apples that were just about ready to fall to the ground on their own but hadn’t yet. Sometimes, if you were lucky, you could catch them in midair. For whatever reason, this sunny thought stayed with me. Now, years later, I use the analogy to provide an image to help my students consider the vigor required in thinking deeply through each waypoint on an IFR flight.
The Finer Points: Catching Mistakes on IFR Flights
Key Takeaways:
- Instrument pilots must proactively think one step ahead of the airplane, deeply considering each upcoming event to identify and prevent potential mistakes before they occur.
- The "Five T's" mnemonic (TURN, TIME, TWIST, THROTTLE, TALK) serves as a structured tool to "shake the tree" and thoroughly anticipate actions required at each waypoint.
- This proactive mindset is essential to avoid errors, such as forgetting critical autopilot settings, ensuring successful instrument flight maneuvers and preventing missed approaches.
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