ASOG Article of the Month | August 2022
ASOG Author | Patrick Ryan
The phrase "staying ahead of the aircraft" is essential for every non-rated aircrew member. It doesn't matter if you're an Aerial Survey ASO, Hollywood Cinematographer, or Tactical Flight Officer, i.e., operating manned or unmanned aircraft. Staying ahead of every action or phase of flight in the flying business is a true sign of a professional ASO vs. you being a burden or a risk factor! Learning how is a survival skill that will serve you later when you fly faster, more workload-intensive aircraft.
To better understand this aviator concept or best practice mindset further, there are two other aspects to add to understanding your operational performance: "Are you behind the aircraft" or "With the Aircraft!" In other words, you must think and act ahead of events at 150+ knots for hours. So, what is this concept all about, and how can you fly like a professional aviator? First, let's start with what is staying ahead of the airplane.
What is "Staying Ahead of the Airplane?"
Even though some might say "Staying ahead of the airplane" is a vague concept. However, the concept is actually a practical exercise in mental discipline, i.e., training yourself to think and act during a flight. It only requires you constantly receive, process, and act on information or situations before, during, and during a flight. The foundation of this concept is based on good "situational awareness."
Along with this, a non-rated aircrew member's job is to take action before a task is required. All this processing of information and thinking ahead will mitigate task saturation (a.k.a, helmet fires), falling "Behind the Aircraft," or worst yet, causing an accident, e.g., straying off course, damaging a sensor, or not backing up your crew during critical phases of flight.
How to "Stay Ahead of the Airplane?"
To put it simply, don't wait for something to happen! Instead, prepare for or accomplish a task that you realistically can do ahead of time for those things or actions that will relate to your flight. This effort could be a few minutes before it is needed or days before the flight begins. Here are some examples of what "Staying Ahead of the Airplane" looks like.
Before Flight
- Identify and pack essential documents and gear related to your flight.
- Fully power up essential electrical handheld equipment or systems, e.g., smartphones, laptops, power bars, etc.
- Identify and double-check essential phone numbers, mission software, e-operator manuals, checklist, frequencies, codes, etc., related to your flight.
- Study the flight in detail, i.e., in relation to Aviate (Alternate airfields, airspace classifications, weather, etc.), Navigate (route, terrain elevation, etc.), and Communicate (radio frequencies, essential phone numbers, etc.)
- Arranging things in the order they'll be needed.
- Place essential items in the cockpit within easy reach.
- Mark or "favorite" things for easy identification.
- Inspect and test essential equipment before the flight.
- And more…
During Flight
- Again, inspect and test essential equipment after take-off.
- Input and cross-check required frequencies, waypoints, and other information before their use, e.g., transitioning from en route to the collection area.
- Put away essential items that are not in use and pull out essential items before the appropriate phase of flight, e.g., climb, en route, landing, etc.
- Review checklist or think of actions required for the next leg or phase of flight.
- Monitor current and forecast weather along your planned and alternate routes.
- And more…
After a Flight
- Stow and arrange equipment and documents for the next flight.
- Address any maintenance issue immediately, i.e., stay ahead of any issues that might delay or cause a problem for the next flight.
- And more…
Conclusion
Once again, "staying ahead of the aircraft" is essential for every non-rated aircrew member. There are many things you could be doing. However, it consists of thinking ahead of all those little things that add to the big picture of having a smooth and successful flight or mission.
Bottom line, if you're sitting peacefully watching the ground underneath you fly by, you're probably "falling behind the aircraft." Don't forget, if you're being paid to fly as an aircrew member, you are not a passenger but a professional aviator…even if you're non-rated. So with that, you should constantly think and work ahead before, during, and after every flight.
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