Page 46 - Volume 14 Number 4

The authors, Gil Williamson (left) and Brian Turrisi.
way a pilot can maintain their skills. Airline pilots who fly almost every day, still complete this every six months. A private pilot, who often flies far less often, needs to do this even more. An Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) or Biennial Flight Review (BFR) is simply not enough. The airlines and the military have set the standard validating the concept of recurrent training. I wish more general aviation pilots believed in that same approach. I think we would see fewer accidents if they did.
Gil: I started this article by pointing out the need for regular reinforcement in general flight training. I would assert the Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) makes this need greater. Modern avionics with a myriad of functions and the potential of workload reduction have the two- edge sword disadvantage – unless you’re current and competent, the “buttonology” complexities can create distractions, increase workload and become part of an accident chain. Reading accident reports and flying on COPA trips with other pilots has demonstrated this TAA reality to me. This approach works for Brian and me and it’s our hope that this may give you some ideas to help you develop your own systematic approach that fits your flying. We believe it will help you fly safer and enjoy your Cirrus more.
Gil Williamson has been a COPA member since 2004, is a former COPA board member, and current volunteer with regional events. He has over 2,000 hours in the Cirrus SR22 and currently flies a 2018 G6. He and his wife, Joyce, live at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Brian Turrisi is a Platinum CSIP and CPPP instructor based at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He welcomes comments and questions at bturrisi@gmail.com.
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44 ■ COPA Pilot
MAY 2019