Understanding the Skill Set Required of Every Aviator
It’s not uncommon for student pilots pursuing their private pilot license in Singapore to question what makes experienced aviators good at what they do. If you’re one such aspiring student, you probably already have an idea of what it takes to be a great pilot. Essentially, it all boils down to honing talents that aren’t all technical or quantitative.
To be a professional pilot, one must be capable of acting under pressure, think creatively, and adopt a mentality for a role that comes with great responsibility. Moreover, pilots should have good leadership skills and learn how to work with and communicate as part of a team. Read on and discover what other traits and skills are shared among professional pilots.
1. Clear communication
Communication skills are necessary for any career or situation but are particularly crucial in aviation. This is because clear communications enable air traffic management (ATM) and airplane operators like pilots and ATC controllers to work together to manage airport traffic, airspace safety, and everyone’s safety.
One of the leading causes of many aircraft mishaps is incomplete or inaccurate pilot-controller communication. Hence, the priority of any pilot-controller communication is to firmly establish the purpose, when, what, how, and where of various situations. Moreover, the need for these communication skills extend beyond just the cockpit. When corporate or charter pilots address any customer concerns during the trip, less vital interpersonal skills can also prove helpful.
2. Quick thinking and decisiveness
Pilots must learn to consistently make sound decisions when facing various situations. These could include those with time and resource constraints, weather obstacles, medical emergencies, and other environmental circumstances that add to the pressure.
When pilots are faced with such difficulties, they are trained to first and foremost refer to checklists of specific procedures that guide towards immediate actions and troubleshooting steps for mitigating risks while seeking potential solutions. Failing which they will have to pursue the best course of action to terminate the flight safety.
Pilots need to stay proficient on both normal and emergency procedures and regularly practice scenarios to keep making sound judgments and decisions towards flight safety without any delay. Pilots need to train rigorously and gain experience in maintaining their composure and avoiding being overwhelmed by a single bad decision or unexpected situation.
3. Situational awareness
Situational awareness refers to being conscious of everything going on around you while flying, operating, or maintaining an aircraft. Aviators must be adept at drawing a mental picture of flight circumstances, their plane’s position, configuration, and energy state, along with any other factors that could compromise its safety.
Having inadequate situational awareness may lead to adverse situations, including Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT), airspace infringement, loss of separation or control, an encounter with bad weather conditions, and more.
4. The ability to stay calm
Although “do not panic” is a seemingly simple rule, it can take pilots years of experience to fully master. This will almost always require muting or altering one’s personality attributes. When panic sets in, the mind races, and its judgment becomes clouded, making rational decision-making difficult. If pilots let this happen, they inevitably become more indecisive over time, negatively affecting their performance.
Hence, pilots are taught to remain calm in all situations as per their training. The intensity of flight training is intentional as it effectively stresses out student pilots and challenges them to be confident enough in their actions, make sound decisions, and perform tasks well under pressure.
If staying calm under pressure doesn’t come to you naturally, that doesn’t automatically mean you can’t succeed as a pilot. With enough practice and persistence, anyone can get through training and be qualified to take to the skies. However, those who can’t adapt and learn to tame their nerves aren’t always guaranteed to make the cut.
5. Knowing when to seek exceptions
From proper ATC communication etiquette to flight preparations, various authoritative bodies and sources have laid out many strict aviation rules. Following them to the T is heavily advocated to promote flight safety during training and beyond. While that is, in fact, necessary, pilots must also learn when asking for exceptions is the right call.
Flying poses many dangers, and any number of emergencies can occur at any moment. For instance, pilots that routinely operate at low altitudes are constantly at risk of collision with trees, bridges, power lines, and other obstacles. Although sticking to the rules is ideal, disregarding them with proper communication with ATC is sometimes necessary, especially when safety – the number one priority – is concerned. In short, being too rigid in all circumstances is unadvisable since being a pilot demands a high level of flexibility and critical thinking while following relevant rules and protocols.
Conclusion
Piloting an aircraft is no simple feat, so it’s only natural for those who earned the title to possess unique abilities and characteristics to be competent in their role. The first step to acquiring these skills is through private flying lessons in Singapore, which will provide new pilots with the necessary foundation they need to grow and become a top aviator.