I’ve been a gold seal CFI for decades, instructing in single engine pistons to airliners. I still instruct GA locally occasionally and have found some of the procedures new pilots have been instructed to perform a bit concerning in terms of practicality and as a foundation to move forward to bigger flight decks.
I see more new pilots struggling with weird memory aids and techniques that have benefitted from this, including those retaking checkrides with far better results and confidence.
These are really fundamental skills that I would suggest all new pilots, and CFI s consider, especially CFIs as we set a standard that will be followed and engrained affecting students future progress.
I see more private, instrument and commercial pilots using abstract memory aids and odd procedures. I think this is mostly due to contemporary CFIs being new and coming from different schools that may not have consistency and picking up habits they hear. I have seen it mostly in part 61, but some from part 141 students, as well.
I recently worked with a pilot that failed a private ride, as well as a commercial applicant that wasn’t feeling great about upcoming ride….both appreciated the advice I gave and did great on their ride. Several others said it made them better in performing procedures as well, So thought I would share just one point that most believed made a big difference in their training. It’s simple stuff applicable to all planes and basis of airline training models developed by the industry.
Disclaimer… take this for what it’s worth, consider it or don’t. I’m always reluctant to give such advice online as there is always some contrarian to set me straight or pontificate on a better way and goes on about how it really should be done….if this is you, I find you annoying and please punch out of this post now. As I said, this has helped several pass check rides and make them more confident as well prepaid for the airline way of doing things…., and thought a few may find helpful after reading some posts.
I continue to see different procedures for basic events as takeoff, go around, etc… I recently worked with 2 pilots, for example, that used some ridiculous technique for their go around procedure they called the 4 C’s that called for “crunching” the throttle forward as step 1. Let’s start here….. the contemporary method of such procedures in big airplane world is typically called “LITANY” method…..which is a simple memorized repetitive verbal step by step procedure you would say aloud, it’s like mind muscle memory, and you simply follow the steps with action as you say your litany (litany basically means a list of repetitive actions), some may call it a memory item but difference being litany only includes actionable items, not conditions or triggers. For example, for a C172 go around it would be something like
“GO AROUND “,,,,,, MAX POWER,,,,,FLAPS 20,,,,,,FLAPS UP…….AFTER TAKEOFF CHECKLIST”
“FLAPS UP” as airspeed builds and descent rate reverses to climb and you are in control. (this works for a c172 as motorized flaps move slow but a mechanical flaps like a piper would require stopping at additional flap settings as airspeed increases.
So for go around its Simple items that will catch most significant errors. Some may call this a memory item procedure or trigger or action item depending your origins, but what’s important is it’s simple actionable items only, in a specific sequence that you follow while saying the item aloud.
By saying GO AROUND aloud, it sets your mind in the mode and brain muscle memory kicks in and you automatically say the litany….It’s almost like having a co-pilot reading you what to do step by step….you just need to have memorized the litany well so you you don’t have to think about it when distracted or under pressure.
Don’t use over complicated call outs like I’ve seen lately as , “power up, pitch up, trim, flaps one notch, speed, trim, flaps up, trim”…..you should know/be inherent you need to pitch up, trim, and establish Vy….. keep it simple. If you need to be reminded to fly away from the ground on a go around, consider different career or CFI.
These are basic verbal commands to yourself in a single pilot op, but necessary in crew cockpits to let the other pilot know what’s going on and follow…. it will help you or student transition to bigger and better aircraft… Learn the litany method early so you don’t have to relearn later or use such memory aids that don’t included things you don’t need to be reminded of like pitch up or trim….such things will soon be inherent. I’m sure there are several litany or like memory items example floating around the web, or make your own. Go arounds are not emergency procedures so take your time speaking the steps , allowing enough time to remain in control and trim as the plane changes configuration and power. I teach litany’s for other phases of flight as well, and its help many that were otherwise struggling from other learning methods.
One more thing….i see many pilots using different procedures for often the same mission. Example, when recovering from a stall, and either there’s no real procedure followed/used or it is a different memory aid specific for that maneuver. Find ways to use already known procedures for different events. For example, after stall and lowering nose and applying max power, at Vr (a speed you know the plane will fly in clean configuration) call “GO-AROUND” and use same go around litany procedure. It will get you safely climbing and cleaned up. Oh, and one more piece of advice for c172 drivers…. when applying full power, don’t push in the carb heat first then the throttle……the carb heat knob is positioned and has flat surface to ergonomically use your thumb to push it in as you push throttle in (at least from left seat)….its one less step.
Hope this may help someone going forward.
