At 16:52 30 June 2008, Ryan Spicer wrote:
Hi all,
I've seen a lot of interesting discussion on this group
improving skills and safety, so I thought I'd ask this he
Beyond reading the Knauff books and seeking continuing instruction, what
recommendations does the group have for continuing to improve
skills and be better, safer pilot after I pass the practical?

1. Every time you fly, try to spot fields that you think are landable.
When you drive home, drive by and evaluate your choices. After a while it
becomes second nature and you'll find yourself analyzing fields
everywhere you drive.

2. Realize that on any flight, you might not be able to make it back to
the home field. Rain, gust fronts, altitude etc. can make a landout a
necessity. Sometimes it is better to accept a landout than to try and
stretch it back to the field or land IFR in rain. This becomes no big deal
if you practice #1 every time you fly.

3. Realize that things can happen that scare the $hit out of you when you
are new to flying. Turning base and coming head on to a tow plane, not
seeing that other glider on down wind until you are way too close, looking
back at the field and having it obscured by a rain shower, going out a few
miles and not being able to find the field ... and so many others all
qualify. Sometimes this will cause what is called adrenaline dump. Your
mind becomes numb, you get tunnel vision and you feel paralized. Breath in
and out slowly on the count of 4. This will clear the head. If you find
yourself scared, do the breathing and get that mind working. As long as
you can think, you can work your way back out of any of these situations.

Brian