Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pilots

It’s all about developing a professional attitude.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 09:19 AM ET

Verified

Pilots who are honest with themselves about their skills, capabilities, and conditions generally make better decisions. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Effective pilots demonstrate self-honesty about their capabilities and maintain a commitment to continuous learning and knowledge acquisition.
They are methodical and organized in their preparation, yet flexible and adaptable when faced with changing flight conditions.
A key characteristic is confidence, stemming from thorough preparation, paired with a calm and courteous communication style.
Ultimately, professional pilots are decisive, making timely and informed judgments, and learning from any missteps.

See a mistake? Contact us.

With a tip of the hat to Stephen Covey, just what are some of the habits and characteristics that define the highly effective pilot?

We often call these folks professionals, or for short, “pros.” However, professionals don’t need stripes on their sleeves or epaulets on their shoulders. It’s simply an attitude and the way we approach each and every flight.

Frank Ayers

Frank Ayers is a Professor of Aeronautical Science at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a retired US Air Force pilot. He is an experienced B 52 instructor pilot, ATP, and CFI, and he is the proud owner and pilot of a 1976 Cessna 177B. Frank has been an active pilot for over 50 years and has flown well over 6,300 hours in a wide variety of aircraft, large and small. He combines his love for aviation history and his knowledge of the techniques and procedures that professional pilots employ, to share with our readers on a monthly basis. Frank and his wife Debbie travel the length and breadth of the country in their beautiful Cessna Cardinal and love to share the joy of their aviation adventures with everyone they meet.