The Importance of Embracing Proficiency Culture

Instructors and pilots must train often to avoid mistakes and stay safe.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 09:08 AM ET

Verified

Remember this warning: Be humble in aviation, or aviation will humble you. [iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Pilot proficiency goes beyond basic currency and requires continuous self-assessment and deliberate practice, often involving targeted dual instruction or solo practice with clearly defined metrics.
Maintaining proficiency necessitates regular review of both practical flying skills and theoretical knowledge from official sources, not just for check rides.
Pilots must actively combat "normalization of deviance," which involves rationalizing avoidance of challenging maneuvers or airspace, as this can severely degrade competence and lead to unsafe practices.

See a mistake? Contact us.

You know three takeoffs and landings will restore your currency, but how many does it take to reach proficiency? For most of us the answer is “it takes as many as it takes.” You may realize you have lost proficiency when you scare yourself—maybe it was a bounced landing or a crosswind that made you go around three times or getting scolded by the tower because you didn’t make a proper radio call that rattled your confidence.

If this happens, you may want to consider going up for an hour of dual instruction with a CFI who specializes in the area you had difficulty in—like crosswinds or short field landings.