Originally posted by Tigeress
It's like if you have five things that are all individually critical to survival going on in real time, the mind triages as best it can
TIGERESS
A large part of the solution is training followed by experience.
Stuff happens in the air; always has. Part of the training is to be prepared for that stuff. Emergency procedures training is a good example. You learn what steps to take and in which order. Practice, practice, practice. You first airplane is the toughest and they get easier as you go because, in general, the basic approach to say, an engine failiure, is very similar between aircraft.
Then you just build hours and stuff happens. You use your training to stumble through
the first ones and then you get progressively better at handling stuff. That's the experience part.
I think the Navy is credited with the shorthand for prioritizing dealing with stuff.
Aviate, Navigate and Communicate. First, FLY THE AIRPLANE. Then figure out where you are and where you want to go and how to get there. Then tell people what you are doing.
The Air Force gave me this one: Maintain aircraft control; analyse the situation, take the proper action.
Engine on fire? FLY THE AIRPLANE! Can't afford to hit a hill while you are dealing with the engine. Analyse the situation, make SURE it is an actual engine fire before you start shutting things down. Take the proper action, do your memory items and then follow up with the checklist.
Trust me on this one Tigress: there isn't that much new in the air that will kill you. A good instructor will teach you how to deal with the old stuff. You'll have to stay current and gain experience.
You could do it. Many, many folks have.
