Blogger Tori Williams at GlobalAir.com makes the case that there’s five essential skills a pilot must learn (besides all that airplane stuff): Good Study Habits; A Willingness to Make Mistakes; Quick Decision Making; Punctuality; and A Sense of Adventure. Check it out here, then comment below if you agree or are there are other skills essential to being a safe pilot she didn’t mention?
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A very needed asset is “spatial orientation”. I agree with comment that need to make quick decisions might get you into trouble. But the capability/need to make timely correct decisions is essential.
Nice article but I disagree with point 3, “quick” decision making, even on an engine failure you don’t need to be “quick” what you need to do is the right procedure, as an example you have the latest Trans Asia ATR72 accident when they “quickly” shut down the wrong engine…almost any modern airplane will fly even if you do nothing in an engine failure, is better to deviate 5/10 degrees while checking what is going on than rush and shut down the wrong engine or press the wrong rudder pedal…
I agree that “quick” decisions are lethal.
A better concept might be effective decisions. In my experience the more time available for decision making the more options can be explored. In this case, the cockpit resource concept comes into play. Even in a single seat fighter, there are numerous sources of assistance available. In 50 years, I’ve never servived an emergency by being quick but I’ve made matters worse by getting in too much of a hurry.
First and foremost fly the airplane until it comes to a dead stop. Don’t let red lights, horns, a screaming contrôlér or your own embaracement distract you from flying the bird. More often than not this one thing will save the day.
Study the emergency procedures until you understand what each is designed to accomplish. Note: this doesn’t mean memorizing it. When it comes time, use the checklist, and don’t rush. You’ll have the confidence to get it right, exbidiuosly the first time.
If there really is no time, stick to your training,
If the bird, the weather, or the situation isn’t right, it will get worse when you get airborne.
What about good judgment? This is the most important one.