Power Hour Lesson Outlines

Outline:

Age and Pilot Performance: Insights From Dr. Victor

• Mike introduces Dr. Victor, a seasoned medical professional with expertise in breast cancer prevention.

• Dr. Victor shares experiences as an academic, pilot, and flight instructor, addressing challenges faced by older pilots.

• Emphasis on flight instructors' awareness of concerns, acknowledging Richard Nixaden's safety advocacy.

• Discussion on pilot demographics, the impact of age on performance, and questioning the average pilot profile.

Aging Pilots' Performance and Cognitive Changes

• Insights into the impact of aging on pilot performance, referencing a study showing overall decline.

• Stress on experience offsetting decline; older pilots with high flight time maintaining skills.

• Discussion on age-related cognitive changes in perception, memory, psycho motor control.

• Mention of potential misuse of synthetic vision in advanced aircraft.

Older Pilots' Physical and Cognitive Abilities

• Importance of evaluating physical and cognitive abilities by flight instructors.

• Emphasis on assessing skills beyond airplane handling, including memory, decision-making, and information processing.

• Reminder for self-certification, addressing safety issues like illness, medications, alcohol, and fatigue.

• Recommendations for maintaining health: regular physicals, sleep, nutrition, hydration, and consulting aviation medical examiners.

Older Pilots' Proficiency and Safety

• Stress on flight instructors' guidance and direction for older pilots' proficiency.

• Highlight of a tragic incident underscoring the importance of safety.

• Mike's commitment to share presentation slides, availability of resources on their website, and recognition of attendees.

• Discussion on safety measures in flight reviews and the ability to decline if proficiency concerns exist.

Safety, Proficiency, and Assertiveness in Flight Reviews

• Emphasis on flight instructors asserting 'no' if safety concerns arise during flight reviews.

• Mike shares experiences with older flight instructors and introduces the Wind Tunnel Pro tool.

• Mention of the CFI Study group on Facebook as a valuable resource for flight instructor training.

• Recognition of the importance of assertiveness in situations where safety is at stake.