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Here is a list of 51 things that you will make you a better pilot. They are in no particular order but apply to all pilots from student pilot to an airline transport pilot (ATP). Hopefully you will read through the list and have an “ah-ha” moment.

Remember, being a pilot is learning and growing experience. It should be fun and rewarding.

I’ve only listed 51 here to keep it short and plan on doing another list, but I would like you to submit some of your thoughts. You can leave them in the comment section below. Anyway, here we go:

1. Explain to your passengers the basics of flying.

2. Always get a weather briefing.

3. Do your pre-flight like you are expecting to find something.

4. Drain fuel twice and pour it back into the fuel tank if clean.

5. Take water with you.

6. Take some food with you.

7. Take money with you, even if you are just flying in the airport traffic pattern.

8. Always clear your turns.

9. Check your flashlight during your pre-flight.

10. Take extra batteries.

11. Taxi like you are a member of the Blue Angels, not too fast and not too slow.

12. When you feel yourself getting rushed, slow down.

13. Make sure you keep your sectional charts, terminal charts, and instrument approach plates (IAP) current.

14. Review your pilot operating handbook (POH) often.

15. Check the color of your fuel with a GATS Fuel Jar Strainer so you pour the fuel back into the fuel tank.

16. Monitor guard frequency (121.50) but double check that you aren’t transmitting on guard.

17. Don’t make stupid comments on guard when someone accidently screws up and transmits on guard.

18. Use professional radio technique every time.

19. Clear left and right before you taxi.

20. Clear final and the runway before taxing onto the runway for departure.

21. Never be too proud to admit that you need help.

22. Fly within your capabilities and know your limitations.

23. Practice crosswind, short-field and soft-field takeoffs and landings often.

24. Prioritize the importance stuff and disregard the rest.

25. Take friends on sightseeing flights.

26. Get another rating.

27. Do your checklists and if you can’t remember if you did it, do it again.

28. When confused about a clearance, ask the controller to “Say Again.”

29. When you are flying under visual flight rules (VFR), look outside often.

30. When on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan and you are VFR, look outside often.

31. When you are shooting an approach to minimums, once you reach your minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA) and you don’t see the runway, execute a missed approach immediately.

32. If you get to a really busy airport and you are unfamiliar with airport diagram and the standard practices there, as for “progressive taxi instructions.”

33. Check that you have your pilot certificate and your that your medical certificate is current before you fly, every time.

34. Never fly into icing conditions if your airplane is not certified to fly into icing conditions.

35. If you ever get a bad feeling about a flight before you go, tie down the airplane, go get a cup of coffee and come back another day.

36. Fly the airplane like you are the captain of a 747: with humility, with respect, and with professionalism.

37. Talk on the radio with confidence.

38. Always strive to fly the airplane to ATP standards whether you are a student pilot or a 5000 hour ATP and don’t accept anything less.

39. Always have the most current Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) and Airman Information Manual (AIM), anything else is a history book.

40. Get a good headset that will protect your ears and last you a long time, like the David Clark H10-13.4 Headset

41. Get spin training and some aerobatic training.

42. Go to at least one air show a year.

43. Believe every time that you are going to make a great landing, and if you don’t forget about it.

44. Always be planning for the “next two things.”

45. Read an aviation magazine once a month.

46. Never stop flying the airplane till you are parked on the ramp and the master switch is off.

47. Clean up the inside of the airplane when you are done.

48. Fuel the airplane for the next pilot.

49. Clean the windshield when you are done.

50. Do slow flight, a steep turn, and a stall once a month.

51. Know how to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit in you head. Hint: Double the Celsius temperature and add 30. Now you have Fahrenheit. Ta da! Close enough!

So here are 51 things off the top of my head that will make you a better pilot. I would really like to hear some thoughts on what you think are some tips that will make someone a better pilot. I know you have some. You can leave them in the comments section below.

To Your Flying Success,

Jeffrey

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