Pilot's tip of the week

Proficiency In Specific Airplanes

Featuring

Subscriber question:

"Can a pilot get away with flying an aircraft that he has never flown before, but may be similar to a model he or she has been checked out in?" - Nico V.

Wally Moran:

“Can a pilot get away with flying an aircraft that he has never flown before – sure, but that doesn’t make it safe. I wonder how his passengers would react if, during the preflight briefing, he informed them that he had never flown that particular model and was not so sure about everything.

Specific airplane proficiencyAny pilot who flies an airplane and does not know how the systems operate, does not know the emergency procedures or proper speeds for operation is clearly an accident waiting to happen.

However, that very situation you describe still exists today in the US. A pilot who holds a certificate for airplane multi-engine land is legal to fly any piston powered multi-engine land aircraft that does not exceed 12,500 pounds gross weight. It is still up to the pilot to determine how much training he may need.

The best way to ensure your safety when planning to fly an aircraft you have never flown before is to first read the pilots operating handbook cover to cover, then get a thorough check out by a qualified instructor. To do any less is a disservice to you and your passengers.”

(NEW) IFR Mastery scenario #171 “Unknown Icing in Minnesota” is now available. Winter IFR presents unique hazards with little margin for error. How much confirmation of benign conditions is enough for a well-equipped, high-performance single that’s not certified for flight into known icing? And is icing the most important risk factor to consider on this cold-weather flight? Watch the Intro video.

Get the Pilot’s Tip of the Week

Sign up here to receive tips like this every week along with videos, quizzes and more.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.