Friday Focus on IFR: Single Pilot Resource Management
20 June 2014 1655 Zulu
From a practical perspective, single pilot resource management is based on the pilot analyzing five key variables—the so-called “Five Ps”—during scheduled times or stages of the flight to ensure a successful outcome. The Five Ps are the plan, plane, pilot, passengers, and program. The scheduled times to execute the Five Ps are preflight, run up, takeoff, cruise, descent/approach, and landing. These times or flight stages are selected because they represent critical points where decisions are most likely to be effectual.
Source: Instrument Flying: 10 Indispensable Principles to Know and Remember, p. 39.
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Friday Focus on IFR
13 June 2014 1255Z
Instrument pilots are in a good position to help fellow aviators by providing timely pilot reports (PIREPS). Today’s installment of Friday Focus on IFR underscores this point.
Be a Good Citizen
“Another way to use more system elements is to provide a pilot report (PIREP) on as many flights as possible. While en route to your destination, contact a flight service station specialist, or Flight Watch, on the appropriate frequency and provide a report.
Your fellow aviators on the ground will appreciate your evaluation
of atmospheric conditions at your altitude, as this information may help them choose the best altitude or route for their own flight. It may also help them with making a go/no-go decision for their flight.”
Source: Instrument Flying: 10 Indispensable Principles to Know and Remember p. 32. www.doubleiLLC.com.
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On Approach
7 June 2014 1910Z
Practicing a Localizer Approach at Akron Fulton (KAKR). Beautiful day to fly! Oh my goodness, there’s a runway ahead!
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Friday Focus on IFR (Getting the Big Weather Picture)
6 June 2014 1305Z
Friday Focus on IFR
Today’s Focus feature highlights the importance of getting the “Big Weather Picture” well in advance of proposed flights.
“If you have a flight scheduled well in advance, begin a methodic ritual of checking the weather patterns at least three to five days ahead of the flight. Doing so will help you formulate the big picture about how the weather system(s) might affect your trip. You can glean a tremendous amount of information from perusing prognostic charts, surface analysis plots, temperature, and winds aloft forecasts. The cumulative effect of examining charts and associated systems for three to five days will yield a discernible trend, helping to plan your route, altitude, and alternatives to your flight. In effect, always know where your weather “out” is, and what your Plan B is.”
Source: Instrument Flying: 10 Indispensable Principles to Know and Remember (p. 25-26). www.doubleiLLC.com.
Friday Focus on IFR: Standard Operating Procedures (Part II)
Aviator John Zimmerman,author and vice president of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, gives sound advice for using standard operating procedures (SOPs). He writes:
“Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are commonly used in the corporate and airline flying world as a way of formalizing the do’s and don’ts of a flight department and making sure every pilot follows the same procedures . . . when it comes to IFR flying, I believe SOPs are a critical safety tool. . . . At the end of the day, SOPs are all about building in some margins . . . instrument flying is all about—follow the rules, every time, no matter what.
Zimmerman outlines eight SOPs that he follows on all IFR flights:
1. No second approaches.
2. No circling approaches at night.
3. No takeoffs with less than approach minimums.
4. All approaches must be stabilized from final approach fix to runway.
5. Always land with sixty minutes of fuel remaining.
6. If it’s really low, let the autopilot fly the approach.
7. Call out 1,000 feet-to-go on all climbs and descents.
8. Do a takeoff and approach briefing every time.”
Source: Instrument Flying: 10 Indispensable Principles to Know and Remember, p. 19-21.
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IFR to Mansfield, OH (KMFD)
26 May 2104 1928 Z
IFR trip to Mansfield, OH with a “hold” at Manns. A good day to fly and to reflect on the dedicated lives of the men and women who made it so.
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Standard Operating Procedures
23 May 2014 1325 Z
Friday Focus on IFR
Today’s Focus installment underscores the importance of using standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that you exercise “due diligence” during every phase of flight.
“Competent instrument pilots execute due diligence for every stage of flight: from preflight planning to postflight securing of the airplane. They do not cut corners. They do not take shortcuts. They do not make up haphazard plans as they go along. They follow consistent habits—so-called standard operating procedures (SOPs)—with respect to analyzing complete weather data, assessing risk, applying crew resource management techniques, and using checklists to ensure safe operations throughout their flights.”
Source: Instrument Flying: 10 Indispensable Principles to Know and Remember. (p. 18).
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Prequel
18 May 2014 0235 Z
Prequel: Here’s the en route “composite” image that my co-pilot and I digested as we traveled on radar vectors from KMQJ (Indianapolis Regional) to KOSU (Ohio State). This on-board display set the occasion for us to practice our weather, aeronautical decision making, and situational awareness skills.
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Shooting the Approach
17 May 2014 1745 Z
Threading the needle in precipitation en route from Indianapolis Regional to KOSU (Ohio State). The Garmin 530 graphic below shows N2864F as it makes its way to Kolny, an IAF on the RNAV (GPS) 27 approach to KOSU. The ADS-B provides excellent situational awareness.
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Friday Focus on IFR
16 May 2014 1935 Z
Friday Focus on IFR
Today’s “Focus” installment underscores the importance of using simulators during initial and recurrent training to maintain your proficiency.
“When you cannot fly due to weather, minor medical conditions, or airplane unavailability, use a simulator to keep your instrument skills sharp. Obviously, the more technically sophisticated the simulator is, the more likely your practice session will replicate actual flying conditions.
Variations in wind speed, turbulence, ceiling levels, and failed instruments can be programmed into the simulator. This gives you an opportunity, while on the ground, to practice under conditions that cannot be matched in the air within the same instructional unit of time.”
Source: Instrument Flying: 10 Indispensable Principles to Know and Remember. (p. 14).
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