Distraction action
Tips for situational awareness and LOC-I
It is always critical to maintain situational awareness in flight. In minor lapses, you may miss a radio call or become briefly disoriented. In the worst cases, a loss of situational awareness can lead to a loss of control in flight.
One of the least forgiving times for a loss of situational awareness is any flight in instrument conditions, especially unexpected VFR into IMC. With these tips, you’ll be better armed to maintain situational awareness in all flying.
Start on the ground
Good situational awareness starts on the ground. During your preflight planning, take time to mentally review what you expect to happen on the flight. Are you going to another airport? Changing airspace? Do you have alternates in mind? What does the weather look like? Whether you’re planning to fly VFR or IFR, do you know where conditions are VMC and IMC? Take time to review that FAR 91.103 preflight info and write down any frequencies you may use. It may also be helpful to write down runway information for your destination and alternate fields, and a couple possibilities on how you expect to enter the pattern. Also, make sure your GPS and electronic flight bag are loaded up before you takeoff—you don’t want to be scrambling to insert waypoints as you’re taking off.
Autopilot
In the air, managing workload is arguably the biggest component of maintaining SA. One tool that can help you, if equipped, is autopilot. Autopilot takes the task of flying the airplane off your hands, leaving you more mental space to monitor the rest of what’s going on during the flight. This will free you up to have a more complete big picture in the air. Even if you don’t have autopilot, use that trim. A well-trimmed aircraft is almost as helpful as an aircraft on autopilot and will also reduce your workload.
Reduce distractions
Put your phone on airplane mode (or at a minimum do not disturb) and have the sterile cockpit conversation with your passengers. With fewer things distracting you, you will better be able to focus on the flight and maintain SA. And while we all love our fancy Bluetooth headsets, save the music for noncritical phases of flight.
Stay proficient
Perhaps the most helpful tool of all is to fly often. The more you fly, the sharper you’ll be, and practicing maintaining situational awareness will make you better at it.
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