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:
- Effective single-pilot IFR flying requires proactive preparation and staying ahead of the aircraft, a concept deeply influenced by aviation legend Richard Collins, to enhance safety beyond basic instrument approach training.
- Modern technology, specifically Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) apps on devices like iPads, now serves as a crucial "digital copilot" to significantly enhance safety and reduce workload for single-pilot IFR operations.
- EFB apps provide comprehensive support across all flight phases, offering critical features such as preflight weather/clearance alerts, in-flight warnings for terrain, traffic, and airspace, and automated post-landing airport diagrams.
- Despite technological assistance, the pilot remains the ultimate Pilot In Command, needing a thorough understanding of EFB capabilities and alerts to effectively distinguish between real issues and false alarms, thereby staying ahead and preventing errors.
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