"First, fly the plane..." (15)

When a student pilot passes his checkride, the examiner usually presents the new license with the words, "Remember, this is a license to learn." A pilot never stops learning, and for neophytes like myself who have little experience, advice from seasoned pilots is invaluable. Probably the most useful advice for any pilot is, "First, fly the plane." This may seem redundant, but it can actually be a lifesaver. Distractions creep in, and when the pilot isn't flying the plane, nobody is.

I was on my second solo flight to Lincoln airport. I had just taken off at Auburn and I was climbing up to 3500 feet. The sun was shining through the windshield and making it very warm in the cabin, so I reached up to adjust the air vent. Twisting the part that directs the air flow, I was startled when the whole tube popped out onto my lap. Miffed, I began fiddling with the part, trying to put it back in its slot. It wouldn't go in. I continued to struggle with the part when I realized I was getting distracted. My plane was in a climb, I was supposed to be looking out for traffic, and there was a checklist I needed to complete.

Leaving the piece of plastic on my lap, I finished climbing to cruise, did my checklist, made sure the area was clear of other planes, and then turned my attention back to the air vent. With a little effort, I managed to slip it back in.

This little dilemma was by no means a life-threatening situation. But when pilots get distracted with small problems, events tend to escalate and produce big trouble. Learning simple lessons like this produces safe pilots. Advice should be simple and easy to remember - then you will know when and how to use it.