Hazard to navigation !!
04-24-2009, 06:19 AM
#13
Self Employed.
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Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Automation
I know how you feel about that airplane, SkyHigh. There's nothing quite like the owning the airplane you like to tool around in. I almost bought two tailwheel airplanes, a 152, and share of a Piper Geronimo in years past.
As far as instrument currency and automation, I have come to the conclusion that autopilot-coupled approaches with the Garmin G1000 setup are not good for your instrument flying skills. I did some of my instrument currency flights in G1000 Skyhawks. The entire flights were like watching ballgames where both teams win. One does nothing but ask for the approach, sit back and watch it all happen. Even missed approaches are just a little button punching, and almost no thought is involved. After two of these currency flights I decided it should be dials and steam gauges from now on, because without them you don't think enough to really learn anything. My company has steam gauge 206H's and a couple of old Cutlass RG's and they are the best currency trainers in my opinion.
As far as instrument currency and automation, I have come to the conclusion that autopilot-coupled approaches with the Garmin G1000 setup are not good for your instrument flying skills. I did some of my instrument currency flights in G1000 Skyhawks. The entire flights were like watching ballgames where both teams win. One does nothing but ask for the approach, sit back and watch it all happen. Even missed approaches are just a little button punching, and almost no thought is involved. After two of these currency flights I decided it should be dials and steam gauges from now on, because without them you don't think enough to really learn anything. My company has steam gauge 206H's and a couple of old Cutlass RG's and they are the best currency trainers in my opinion.
It seems to me that the necessity of having old fashioned steam gauge skills is going away. Why teach compass turns to pilots who fly modern planes? Who cares about hold procedures when you can push a few buttons and have the plane do it for you. The future belongs to synthetic vision, the A/P and infrared cameras. I did however tell my student that if he ever tried to fly IFR in his fathers Cherokee 6 that he would kill himself.
Skyhigh
04-24-2009, 09:31 AM
#15
Flying Farmer
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Posts: 3,160
I have been struggling with the same thing in regards to my instrument student. The PTS directs me to train him to make use of all the automation at his disposal. As a result attitude instrument is a breeze for him. During the check ride he can have the A/P on the entire time except for one non-precision approach and even then he can use the flight director.
It seems to me that the necessity of having old fashioned steam gauge skills is going away. Why teach compass turns to pilots who fly modern planes? Who cares about hold procedures when you can push a few buttons and have the plane do it for you. The future belongs to synthetic vision, the A/P and infrared cameras. I did however tell my student that if he ever tried to fly IFR in his fathers Cherokee 6 that he would kill himself.
Skyhigh
It seems to me that the necessity of having old fashioned steam gauge skills is going away. Why teach compass turns to pilots who fly modern planes? Who cares about hold procedures when you can push a few buttons and have the plane do it for you. The future belongs to synthetic vision, the A/P and infrared cameras. I did however tell my student that if he ever tried to fly IFR in his fathers Cherokee 6 that he would kill himself.
Skyhigh
Man, I could go on for days about this stuff. I agree, people should have to learn in the old style, steam gauges with the 6-pack, but a transition to glass and automation after the experience is gained is generally easy to do and safer IMO
04-24-2009, 09:59 AM
#16
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Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
I agree, and I actually think automated systems should be taught only after the student has learned the old manual systems first. My view is in flux and I will always be a supporter of the automated systems as they increase the margin of safety for everyone. But I do think there is a profound difference between the two cockpits in terms of the degree to which the pilot must take ownership of the flight.
Automated system on the one hand, one watches the flight happen and is basically along for the ride. He or she is encouraged to actually get behind the airplane, in a word: why should he or she expend the energy to think when everything is already taken care of? It's mostly a psychological thing perhaps, but it does exist.
Manual system on the other hand, pilot makes the flight go from point to point to point; no one has done anything behind the scenes in terms of elaborate software, organization and so on to make things go smoothly. These things serve to take the mental work out of flying; instrument flying has always been based on a high level of situational awareness. The manual cockpit requires a more active mental energy level to use it and for a student that is a more useful one for learning. The difference is the option of mental laziness is removed, one must know what is going on at all times or the outcome of the flight may be in question.
Automated system on the one hand, one watches the flight happen and is basically along for the ride. He or she is encouraged to actually get behind the airplane, in a word: why should he or she expend the energy to think when everything is already taken care of? It's mostly a psychological thing perhaps, but it does exist.
Manual system on the other hand, pilot makes the flight go from point to point to point; no one has done anything behind the scenes in terms of elaborate software, organization and so on to make things go smoothly. These things serve to take the mental work out of flying; instrument flying has always been based on a high level of situational awareness. The manual cockpit requires a more active mental energy level to use it and for a student that is a more useful one for learning. The difference is the option of mental laziness is removed, one must know what is going on at all times or the outcome of the flight may be in question.
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