VINTAGE INSTRUCTOR
THE
BY DOUG STEWART
Airmanship Seeing as how the wind was blowing strongly enough to rattle the windows of my office (located in a trailer at the Columbia County Airport), I thought of filing a pilot report (PIREP) stating, “Moderate turbulence reported by a trailer parked beside the ramp…” The wind was blowing so strongly on this post-frontal day that my client and I had decided to cancel our training session scheduled for that afternoon. Since, except for the wind, it was a beautiful, severe-clear day, I figured I would use the free time to get some exercise. (An important ingredient in staying fit for flight, especially for those of us into our vintage years, which too often gets neglected or put off.) As I headed to my car, I couldn’t help but notice a flock of seagulls congregating around a huge puddle, left from yesterday’s rain. Some were in the air, and some remained on the ground. I watched those that were flying, and I thought to, Boy, I sure wish I had that kind of airmanship. They don’t seem at all flustered by the turbulent air. What oneness with their environment they seem to display. That is what airmanship is all about, isn’t it? After I got home, changed clothes, and headed out on my bicycle, I found myself still engaged in thoughts about airmanship. How does one really define airmanship? Does airmanship lie solely within the realm of stick and rudder skills? If that were so, then maybe those seagulls surely displayed it. But some might argue that airmanship transcends stick and rudder skills. “Does not airmanship also encompass judgment and decision-making skills?” they ask. Others would say that airmanship must also include knowledge, and still others would say that airmanship should include ethical behavior. If all these were so, then those seagulls were falling short of the mark. As my body struggled with propelling my bike into the headwind, my mind continued its struggle to really wrap itself around the concept of airmanship. I think that most of us pilots might be challenged to fully define airmanship, but we could state, as did Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart (no relation) did in 1964 in reference to
30 MAY 2007
another subject, “I know it when I see it.” If it is difficult to define airmanship, might it be even harder to find guidance on how to develop good airmanship? Whereas numerous sources encourage the acquisition of airmanship as one of the primary goals of all pilots, few, if any, really provide concrete steps on how to achieve this state of being. As I pondered this question, the answer suddenly came clearly to mind: The Aviators’ Model Code of Conduct (AMCC). This document not only encourages us to “seek excellence in airmanship,” it also goes on to give numerous steps and suggested practices to achieve it. The AMCC is a fantastic document available to everyone, either online, at www.SecureAv.com, or from a variety of flight schools as well as airplane distributors and dealers. (In fact I provide every one of my clients with a copy of the AMCC.) It was created by Michael Baum, with the editorial oversight of a permanent editorial board. The AMCC “is a living document, intended to be updated periodically to reflect changes in aviation practices and the aviation environment.” There are versions of the AMCC created not only for pilots in general, but specific versions for seaplane pilots, glider pilots, student pilots, and sport pilots as well. The introduction to the AMCC states: “The Aviators’ Model Code Of Conduct (Code of Conduct) presents broad guidance and recommendations for General Aviation (GA) pilots to improve airmanship, flight safety, and to sustain and improve the GA community. “The Code of Conduct presents a vision of excellence in GA aviation. Its principles both complement and supplement what is merely legal. The Code of Conduct is not a ‘standard’ and is not intended to be implemented as such.” It is not all that often that we find things in aviation that are purely altruistic; however, it is my feeling that the AMCC is exactly that. It is 100 percent free and available to all who seek to use it. Furthermore, anyone who chooses to “may use the Aviators’ Model Code of Conduct as a resource for code of conduct development, although it is recommended that this be supported by independent
research on the suitability of its principles for specific or local applications and situations. It is not intended to provide legal advice and must not be relied upon as such.” The Code of Conduct consists of the following seven sections (each containing principles and sample recommended practices). • General Responsibilities of Aviators • Passengers and People on the Surface • Training and Proficiency • Security • Environmental Issues • Use of Technology • Advancement and Promotion of General Aviation Sample Recommended Practices are basic suggestions for using the Code of Conduct principles and tailoring the principles to specific aviation communities and organizations. “. . . the Sample Recommended Practices may be modified to satisfy the unique capabilities and requirements of each pilot, mission, aircraft, and GA organization.” (As I said before, truly altruistic!) If one seeks to delve deeper into the AMCC, there is a commentary available online that provides discussion, interpretive guidance, and suggested ways to adopt the Code of Conduct. If one is of a scholarly bent, Mr. Baum definitely provides far-reaching research and documentation of a vast variety of views on the subjects presented in the AMCC. The AMCC can benefit pilots in numerous ways, some of these being: highlighting important practices to make pilots better, safer aviators; promoting improved pilot training, better airmanship, appropriate pilot conduct, personal responsibility, and pilot contributions to the GA community and society at large; encouraging the development and adoption of good judgment and ethical behavior; advancing self-regulation through the GA community as an alternative to government regulation; and promoting GA and making flying a more rewarding experience. It seems that there is no overwhelming consensus among pilots as to the exact definition of airmanship. It includes skill, knowledge, understanding, and ethical behavior amongst other things. It seems clear to me that the Aviators’ Model Code of Conduct addresses every possible meaning that one might come up with. The fact that the AMCC has as one of its umbrella provisions “seek excellence in airmanship” demonstrates that the entire document embodies this concept. As one implementer of the Code has stated, “You want to know the meaning of airmanship to me? The AMCC. That’s it. Now try to put that in one word . . . .” What is so neat about the AMCC is that it not only defines airmanship, it then goes on to offer numerous suggested practices to achieve it. May you seek excellence in airmanship as you seek…blue skies and tail winds. Doug Stewart is the 2004 National CFI of the Year, a NAFI Master Instructor, and a designated pilot examiner. He operates DSFI Inc (www.DSFlight.com), based at the Columbia County Airport (1B1).
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 31