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Private pilot with a commercial rating here. One of the things most people don't know is how much commercial flight is dominated by checklists. I always joked

Private pilot with a commercial rating here. One of the things most people don't know is how much commercial flight is dominated by checklists. I always joked if a UFO ever landed on the wing of a 777 the pilot would look over and say "Bob, what's the checklist for UFO landings?" There's a ton of crisis response and critical thinking, sure, but one of the "tricks" is so much mental clutter is completely eliminated by the appropriate use of checklists. It frees the crew up to focus on the problem instead of all the details.

js2 9y ago
For anyone who wants to learn more about checklists, I highly recommend "Checklist Manifesto" by Atul Gawande.
cyberferret 9y ago
That is pretty much the crux of it - EVERYTHING is broken down into a step by step approach to make a decision path easier. For instance, (as you yourself would have been taught), one of the first things I remember my instructor hammering home to me in the case of an engine failure (in our single engine trainer) was: 1. DO NOT be tempted to do a 180 and turn back to the runway, as it will result in almost guaranteed death. 2. Immediately push the nose down to maintain airspeed. 3. Look for a road/field/clearing 30 degrees to each side of the nose to put the aircraft down in Just remembering those 3 critical things as soon as you hear the engine cut out just eliminates those crucial seconds of wavering and indecision which could mean the difference between life and death. Just starting the process off by doing these 3 things kick starts your brain into 'problem solving' mode, instead of flailing around in panic mode. There are a LOT more steps afterwards, including ascertaining WHY the engine failed, communicating with the tower etc., but they are all moot unless you maximise your time in the air by doing especially (2) and (3).
- cbanek 9y ago
  I think you both have an excellent point about training kicking in. Many years ago I had done the professional CPR training, and I think even that has made me think about emergency situations that may happen around me differently. Also training for hazardous workplaces, etc. I still know it's down in there somewhere if necessary.
- DanielBMarkham 9y ago
  I knew a guy in a twin-engine Beech that had the right engine go into beta just after take-off. His quick and correct actions made the difference between dying and just a bumpy, unpleasant landing on a highway. When that kind of thing happens, the last thing in the world you want to do is waste any mental cycles on trivia.

js2 9y ago

For anyone who wants to learn more about checklists, I highly recommend "Checklist Manifesto" by Atul Gawande.

cyberferret 9y ago

That is pretty much the crux of it - EVERYTHING is broken down into a step by step approach to make a decision path easier. For instance, (as you yourself would have been taught), one of the first things I remember my instructor hammering home to me in the case of an engine failure (in our single engine trainer) was: 1. DO NOT be tempted to do a 180 and turn back to the runway, as it will result in almost guaranteed death. 2. Immediately push the nose down to maintain airspeed. 3. Look for a road/field/clearing 30 degrees to each side of the nose to put the aircraft down in Just remembering those 3 critical things as soon as you hear the engine cut out just eliminates those crucial seconds of wavering and indecision which could mean the difference between life and death. Just starting the process off by doing these 3 things kick starts your brain into 'problem solving' mode, instead of flailing around in panic mode. There are a LOT more steps afterwards, including ascertaining WHY the engine failed, communicating with the tower etc., but they are all moot unless you maximise your time in the air by doing especially (2) and (3).

cbanek 9y ago
I think you both have an excellent point about training kicking in. Many years ago I had done the professional CPR training, and I think even that has made me think about emergency situations that may happen around me differently. Also training for hazardous workplaces, etc. I still know it's down in there somewhere if necessary.
DanielBMarkham 9y ago
I knew a guy in a twin-engine Beech that had the right engine go into beta just after take-off. His quick and correct actions made the difference between dying and just a bumpy, unpleasant landing on a highway. When that kind of thing happens, the last thing in the world you want to do is waste any mental cycles on trivia.