Aviation Insights

So far we have discussed a little about a lot. In keeping with that trend, here is a little about the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR’s) and the Airman’s information Manual (AIM). For starters, you’ll most likely find them in a book store as a single book. That’s the way I’ve seen them in the past. At least that is the way a dinosaur like me got access. To bring us into today’s world, the website for the FAR’s is http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFrameSet . It’s a good website with a logical breakdown of the regulation contents. http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=TRADE%20PAPER:NEW:9780071479240:19.95 is a good website for the combination book. There is also an aeronautical information manual out there as well. http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/AIM/ is the shortcut for that.

So, that’s where you can find them. But, what’s in them? What do you need to know about them? Well, here is my attempt to explain. The FAR’s are a source for rules and regulations. For example, what is a part 121 operator, or more basically what is part 121? The FAR provides detailed definitions in legal terms. For more detailed explanations of operational regulations and how they pertain to you as a pilot, go to the AIM. For example, if you want to know what type of lighting is required for a specific type of approach, go to the AIM. It provides a detailed explanation and in many cases provides a picture. The same goes for holding instructions and entry parameters. You’ll read it in the FAR’s 10 times and may not really understand it. But, if you refer to the same topic in the AIM, you’ll probably have a picture to refer to and will most likely save yourself from reading the extra five times. As is said, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. And, as we say in the instrument flying world, “a peak is worth a thousand crosschecks”.

The first time you take an instrument ride, under the hood, you’ll understand what I mean. During my time at Air Force UPT, when you were sitting in the back seat of a T-38, under the hood on an instrument ride flying box patterns at 300 knots, a peak was priceless. I can’t say worth a thousand crosschecks because at 300 knots around a box pattern, you just didn’t have time for that many crosschecks. I might add that, although it has been a long time since I flew a T-38, I remember it like it was yesterday, and I lived it!! Helmet, oxygen mask, G-suit, skinny wing, the smell of JP-4 dumping into the after-burner, flying formation and all the stars you can imagine seeing on a dark night at FL390 and mach .95 like a dart in the sky, is all a permanently etched experience.  It was 6 months of 12 hrs a day, 6 days a week work, but boy I loved it and wouldn’t trade it for anything. In fact, I’d do it again in a second. Sorry, got carried away for a minute.

Back to FAR/AIM info. While you’re learning to fly (civilian path or military path), you should become familiar with both. What I mean by familiar is to know and understand the layout and content of each. Even more to the point, know where to find things within the books.  As you progress through your chosen “learn to fly” path, you’ll no doubt run across the “fire hose” treatment. The “fire hose” treatment is a learning philosophy that basically says throw more information at a student than they can handle. On average, the student will absorb enough to pass the course and the rest they’ll learn as they go. Guess what? The as they go part is the part where you learned the information is out there and where it is but you simply couldn’t remember it all. Now, the fire hose treatment is no fun while you’re experiencing it. You’ll feel stress and like there is no way you can learn it all. Remember, most of us can’t. Focus on the foot-stompers(emphasis items). If you hear something more than once, it’s a foot stomper. Also, understand this; in the aviation career field you simply can’t remember everything about your aircraft and or regulations. But, you do need to know the information exists and where to find it. Although you may not have retained or learned all the info, you most likely learned where to find it.

So, in summary, check out the FAR and AIM manuals. They are frequently sold in a combined format and are available on the web. Get familiar with the areas you’ll be working under. Understand the importance of knowing where to find “it”. Lastly, never fear the fire hose treatment. It’s just out there!

Next week, more on FAR’s and a bit about Captain.