SUPPORTING MATERIAL

Metacognition

An important part of situational awareness is metacognition (met-uh-kog-nish-uh n).  It is awareness and understanding of one's own thought process.

Situational awareness is also more than being aware of where you are and what you have to do next, it’s being aware of airplane and physiological systems.

Monitoring Systems

It's rare for any system to fail without a warning sign so it's critically important that we include elements beyond our standard six-pack instrument scan.  Our thought process must include the monitoring of all system gauges as part of our scan.

"pay attention, ...be here now."

 

Engine - Include all those other gauges and annunciators in your scan.  They're reporting on the health of your engine and other systems. Keep a finger on the pulse of your aircraft by periodically checking CHTs, EGTs, oil pressure and temperature, fuel quantity and flow, vacuum, alternator & ammeter...

A friend of mine was on a cross-country flight in a Piper Arrow.  Not long after takeoff, he began to hear intermittent beeps in his headset.  He then saw that the sound corresponded with a pulsating ammeter.  A cursory check showed nothing wrong, that is until about 30-minutes later when his plane slowed suddenly.  

The hydraulic fluid for his landing gear system had leaked out and the pump was not able to fully retract the gear.  The amp meter was trying to tell him that the pump was still working to pull up the gear.  The pump finally stopped, allowing the gear to come down by gravity but only partially.  Fortunately the pilot was able to manually extend it and land for repairs but he should have seen that earlier ammeter pulse for what it was - a warning.

You have a lot to look at, so check frequently.  The sooner you see that something is not right the more time you have for a good solution.

Weather Forecast - Some of the biggest clues to the integrity of a weather forecast are the winds aloft.  Check your flight plan against your actual progress. Is the heading you are flying to track your flight planned desired track (DTK or Magnetic Course) the same as the one you planned? Is your ground speed what you had planned? Is the outside air temperature (OAT) what was forecast? Are the METARS at airports along your route matching the TAFs?

If the answer to any of these questions is 'no' then that means that the forecast is probably wrong. This should prompt you to investigate the weather at your destination, alternate(s) and along the route  The weather doesn’t always match the forecast (or perhaps should I say rarely matches…?) and frequent monitoring of the weather during the flight will allow you the opportunity to change plans, if necessary, before flying into a hazardous weather situation.

PLANNING FOR THE ALTERNATIVE

One of the biggest differences between amateur and professional pilots is that amateurs are surprised when something bad happens while flying.  Professional pilots are surprised when they fly and nothing bad happens.  

With a professional state of mind you'll be more inclined to anticipate the unexpected and be aware of your alternatives.  There is always a way out of trouble if it can be identified early enough.

Constantly ask yourself "what if" as you fly: e.g., “if my engine quit now what would be my first action item and where would I find the best landing place?”

Think of your alternatives as a fluid array of options rather than an obligatory space to fill on a flight plan form.  Eisenhower said, "plans are worthless but planning is everything."  The environment is constantly changing and you must continuously recognize it for what it really is.