The most commonly overlooked flying skill?
While working at my skydiving job this afternoon, the boss caught me between loads and complimented me on how pleased he’d been with my work for him.
I was flattered and a bit surprised. I didn’t think I’d done anything out of the ordinary for him.
What surprised me most, however, was the reason for the compliment. His kind words didn’t originate from me always coming in early, doing careful preflights, or learning the best jump line for the day–they came from my smooth flying.
Apparently some of the tandem instructors had been impressed at how smoothly I fly. Smooth flying keeps the students relaxed, makes it easier to spot the drop zone, etc. It’s simply more enjoyable in general.
Smooth flying isn’t even something I consciously think about anymore. I just do it. I’d feel weird if I didn’t fly smoothly. It’s part of the job. It’s part of every professional pilot’s job.
All through my flight training, my instructors kept stressing passenger comfort. Don’t bank too quickly or too steeply. Stay coordinated. Make pitch changes slowly and gently. Don’t allow the plane to “bubble” or “sink” with the extension or retraction of flaps. Never jam the throttle in or yank it back. Plan descent rates in advance.
Basically, every change in movement or sound should be as subtle and indetectable as possible.
So that’s what I do. It’s nothing especially difficult, just an attitude the pilot has to ingrain in himself. Flying is a dance, not a wrestling match. It’s a fine symphony, not an off-key garage band. The little details matter.
Apparently some of the other jump pilots never had this approach stressed during their training. Sometimes I take it for granted that every professional pilot is smooth, but I guess it hasn’t always worked that way for some of their jump pilots.
Simply put, my point is this: smooth flying will impress people. It doesn’t matter how well you can navigate or talk on the radios if you’re constantly throwing people around in the cabin. Learn to fly smooth and you’ll stick out from the crowd, guaranteed. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it is.