Questions for Captains/PIC's/A.C.'s

[LJDRVR]

Hey folks,

doing some research here, and was wondering for those of us who train regularly in simulators, be it brand "S", brand "F", military, airline or combination of above. During recurrent or a PC, we often have a limited amount of time available to complete certain maneuvers. The Instuctor is on a timeline, and those of us who are experienced in the airframe we're flying can often sense this. As we have flown these procedures many times before, the temptation here is to "help the IP out a little." For instance, maybe taking a turn onto the localizer even though we're feeling a bit rushed or haven't briefed as thoroughly as we would in the jet if it was "for real" We rationalize this by telling ourself that we've "got it all under control, and by god, I've done ________(insert abnormal) a MILLION times in this dumb box." My questions are:

1. Am I the only one who has ever done this? (I suspect not based on folks I've talked to.)

2. Has anyone ever had an abnormal in the actual aircraft where they felt they "rushed things along" more than they should have? If so, does anyone attribute this to the old "fly like you train" adage. (You pushed things occasionaly in the sim to stay on timeline, when "it" happened for real you did the same thing in the jet)

My supposition is that there MAY be a human factors issue here in the industry related to the law of exercise. Particularly with those of us who have flown the same airframe for a while and have become very comfortable and adept with anything the aircraft throws us.

Am I full of it? Any constructive responses are greatly appreciated.
Feel free to PM me if you don't feel comfortable posting your experience on a public website.

THANKS!

 

[flx757]

As a long time simulator instructor and check airman/examiner, I can say that rushing or hurrying is one of the surest ways to get yourself into trouble quickly.

You certainly aren't helping me out any by rushing to get things done. At this level, most instructors are looking at your judgement and decision making ability more so (or at least equally) than your flying skills. Most instructors know that to reach this level, you have had to consistently demonstrate a certain level of piloting skill. If the judgement and decision making you are now demonstrating indicates a willingness to accept a turn on, as in your example, before you are ready, or before you have adequately briefed, then that tells me that you might have this same propensity to rush things if you are called upon to make these decisions in the real world. And that, at least with me, is reason for concern.

I would hope, and would like to believe, that eveyone "flies like they train". But if I am to expect that, then I think that I should "train like I expect you to fly". Therefore, I strive to make my "timeline" realistic. And if it's not realistic to suit your needs at that time, then I expect you to exercise your judgement and authority to do whatever it takes to make it suit your needs. I'll make whatever adjustments are necessary to my "timeline" to make it all work. I'd much rather do that than have to repeat the whole thing because of faulty decision making.

Just my thoughts and point of view from another angle.

 

[mar]

I've done a little training...

...and I like the 'Fly as you train, train as you fly' concept.

But first to answer your questions:

1) No. You're not the only one.

2) No. Not me personally, but I can think of at least one highly experienced crew that crashed and burned after a scenario like the one you describe.

I have to agree with flx757, I don't think you're helping your instructor at all if he's any good at his job.

If he's good at his job then he would've allotted sufficient time to complete the exercise--especially with an experienced crew.

Now if everyone is sitting around drinking coffee and BSing for 10 mins before they get into the box and you're off to a late start then there are other issues, I humbly think.

In sum, a good instructor has a plan and has programmed enough time to complete the mission without compromising company procedures and protocol.

Fly safe.

 

[LJDRVR]

Bump