K-A-S-H: Good Flying Habits Made Simple!

Learning to fly requires a person to understand new concepts that are often foreign to our prior experience.  This is even more true when flying a Gyroplane because the type has different assets and liabilities than other aircraft types. For Fixed Wing guys, the rotary wing creates an environment that is kind of like like a helicopter but kind of flies like a fixed wing. It takes time to get comfortable in every type of aircraft; that goes for the Gyroplane too. 

For me, there is one acrostic that has helped me put things  into focus for many, many years and has really helped me learn new material quickly. That acrostic is K-A-S-H: Knowledge, Attitude, Skills & Habits.  I have used it for years...it is a "Building Blocks" approach.   

Here is how it works: 

1. The deeper your Knowledge is on the topic, the more it improves your foundation on the material you are trying to learn.  What happens when you don't study and only show up for the test?  You likely fail. Why should learning to fly get a pass on this?  I have friends that started "working on" their Pilot's License years ago but would not discipline themselves enough to study for the Written Exam. You have to have the necessary Knowledge to get all the way through the process.  Knowing how to fly or why things fly will only get you so far. There is more...

2. Attitude is the next critical component.  It is this element that provides you with the spirit to learn (or not learn) the material.  If your attitude is one that believes the material is too hard and requires a rocket scientist (...and you don't happen to work for NASA) then you are probably not going to do well without an attitude check. Flying is not hard, it is a process and a good "I can do this given enough time and attention attitude" goes a long way. 

3. The next component is Skills.  Skill boils down to practice, practice and more practice or just plain doing it long enough to get good at it.  When I fly, I practice my Skills all the time so that I remain a safe and solid pilot.  I don't do this because I have nothing else to do, I do it because of the next and last element.  

4. The last and final part is Habit.  Knowledge of the problem, a good Attitude in approaching the problem, a Skill set that has been honed are all of "worth less" (not "worthless" here) if they have not become a solid Habit.  When you have to be on top of your game,  a split second can be so critical.  It is at this point that you need the best "HABIT" you can get your hands on.  I have talked to pilots that have never had an engine out....and because of that haven't practiced emergency procedures since the week they got their license years ago.  What a shame! What do you think is going to happen when the "problem" occurs.  You are right....they are going to be behind the game looking and wishing they had been more diligent about EXCELLENCE in their flying habits. 

What am I suggesting? I am suggesting that on every flight, you build on your knowledge, have a good attitude, keep mastering the necessary skills and by all means make the best  habits that come back to you...without even thinking about it! When you do this, you will be absolutely prepared (...as best as humanly possible) when you have to be EXCELLENT at flying. 

Have you practiced engine outs lately?

Begin today!