When people think about private jet pilots, their first thoughts are likely about technical skills and how they have mastered the ability to operate a sophisticated aircraft, manage complex systems and navigate the skies at near supersonic speeds. It’s because of their extensive training, knowledge and precision that travelers are comfortable putting their trust in them.
In this blog, we’d like to explore another valuable skill a professional pilot possesses that is often less visible – and that’s Judgment.
For many, much of what a pilot brings to the party is a superior ability to consider and address hundreds of decisions involved with every flight. Many of them small, many of them routine, but all contributing to the safety and success of every mission. While passengers are enjoying the benefits of private flight, their pilot is assessing situations, recognizing risks and making sound decisions often under changing conditions.
At 45,000 feet, experience and decision-making are at least as important as technical ability.
The Evolution of the Private Jet Pilot
As Aircraft technology advances so does the evolution of private jet pilots. For those who have flown for a decade or more, their learning curve and skillset has evolved to include new advanced flight management systems, highly automated flight controls, sophisticated weather radar and a host of other tech including navigation systems and safety features.
These technologies have transformed aviation and made aircraft more capable, efficient and reliable than ever before. In doing so, the role of the pilot has become even more critical as they adapt their responsibilities and judgment to include managing complex systems, evaluating information and making informed decisions throughout every phase of flight – all while controlling the aircraft.
Aeronautical Decision Making and Risk Management
Aviation training places significant emphasis on something known as Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) which is the process pilots undertake to identify risks and evaluate options while applying experienced judgment to determine the safest course of action.
In many situations, there isn’t necessarily one obvious answer. The pilot’s responsibility is to evaluate all available information and determine the safest outcome. The most experienced pilots understand that good decisions are not always the most convenient decisions.
And the risk assessments begin long before takeoff. A flight may appear straightforward but, as we’ve written in previous blogs, experienced crews understand that conditions can change quickly. The ability to anticipate these challenges is one of the defining characteristics of a professional pilot.
The next time you’re at 45,000 feet enjoying the miracle of flight, take a moment and be thankful for the captain of the ship who is continually checking, double checking and anticipating every possibility to ensure your safety and comfort.
About Avionco
Formed in 2000 by Mike Dodd and Josh Dodd in Calgary, Avionco is a premier aircraft services provider, purpose-built to serve aircraft owners whose business and lifestyle needs require impeccable service and efficiency in everything they do.
Josh Dodd, COO, leads day to day operations with a team of dedicated senior management professionals delivering a complete suite of flight management services including Pilot and Crew selection, In-Flight and Ground Operations, Safety and Compliance, and Entry Into Service (EIS). Learn more at www.avionco.com