Current vs Proficient

8/14/2019 Current vs Proficient

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GLIDING FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA


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The failure of the pilot in command tomaintain control of his aircraft hasbeen cited as a recurring probable

cause in many aircraft accidents sinceman first took to the air.

Accidents that result from loss of

aircraft control typically involvemultiple contributing factors, the mostnotable of which is pilot proficiency.


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Proficiency, by definition, is "theability to do something to a required

standard with a high degree of skill".


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Encompasses a wide range ofrequired knowledge and skills,including:- the ability to operate the aircraft in a

precise and co-ordinated manner;

an understanding of the regulatory

requirements for operations in thenational airspace system; and

a knowledge of the aircraft and itsrelated systems.


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Pilot proficiency, therefore, relates tothe pilot's ability to perform tasks

associated with the safe conduct of aflight with a high degree of skill.


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No person may act as pilot in command of aglider unless that person has accomplished aflight review in an aircraft for which the pilot is

rated within the preceding twelve calendarmonths.

No person may act as pilot in command of aglider carrying passengers unless that person

has made at least three takeoffs and threelandings within the preceding 90 days.


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A large proportion of the mind's task isto memorise things which are seen,heard and done.

One always remembers best thosethings that impress one most, whereasexperiences that create little

impression are soon forgotten. If the impression is deep, the retention

is lasting; the recollection is easy.


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Memory by retention or habit is achievedby repeatedly seeing, hearing or doing.

Memory by retention or habit is morepermanent and automatic than memorythrough impression.

In other words, the old adage "practicemakes perfect" is good advice.


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To maintain a minimum level ofcompetency in a specific task, it is

important to perform the task on aregular basis.

Tasks most recently performed are

best remembered.


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Proficiency, by definition, means performing agiven task to a required standard with a highdegree of skill.

Currency simply refers to being up to date oroccurring within a recent period of time.

Being current in a particular task does notnecessarily imply proficiency at that task.


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Pilots suffer a significant degree of cognitiveand flight skill loss within a short period of timefollowing the completion of structured flight

training.The areas of flight skill loss most affected

include critical flight operations such astakeoffs and landings, stall recognition and

recovery, minimum controllable airspeed, andemergency procedures.


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Pilots are seldom accurate inassessing their own level ofproficiency in a given task.

The annual flight review required byGFA may not be sufficiently frequent

for relatively inexperienced pilots (orexperienced pilots who dont flyregularly) to maintain critical flightskills.


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Hours peryear

Launches per year

Your currency is good but take care.Watch particularly for bad

approaches, sloppy cockpit checksand lack of preparedness for launchemergencies.

You are not as good as you think youare! Be very careful, especially in

difficult weather conditions

You are rusty! Your training conditionisunsatisfactory. Seek advice and

preferably have a check flight beforeflying.

40

30

25

50

20 30

15 20

10 10

55

00


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Every pilot needs to maintain a highdegree of proficiency in critical flight

skills.

Training is the foundation ofproficiency. Unless each pilot

continues to participate in a regularrecurrent training program, criticalflying skills erode very quickly.


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Being current simply means that a pilot hascomplied with the regulations and is legal toexercise the privileges of his or her glidercertificate.

Proficiency, on the other hand, describes a pilotwho conducts each flight with competence of aprofessional or, in other words, a high degree ofskill.

Proficiency also means making the commitmentto put safety above all other considerationsevery time we fly.

Most important, however, proficiency meansmuch more than simply being legal to fly. It'sabout being safe to fly.


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A presentation by

Christopher ThorpeChief FlyingInstructorBeaufort GlidingClub

Current vs Proficient

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