If your going to be flying with a non-pilot on a frequent basis, like your spouse for example, its to both your advantage for them to learn to be an effective cockpit crew member.
There is a program called “companion flyer” and you see them offered every so often at seminars around the country. The purpose is to help make that frequent flyer passenger more knowledgeable so if the pilot needs assistance they can help and not suddenly be thrust into a panic situation cause they have no idea what to do.
These classes are fun, informative, and designed with the non-pilot in mind. Participants learn to be an effective cockpit crew member and become more comfortable in light aircraft so flying is more enjoyable! A typical one day ground-school-only course covers:
– How the airplane flies
– How to read an aeronautical chart
– Who and How to talk to on the radio
– What the instruments tell you (airspeed, altitude, level indicator)
– What to do in an emergency
– Safety tips, weather, and much more
… so participants can enjoy flying, and be a better Flying Companion!
What can a flying companion do to assist the pilot regardless of aviation qualifications?
#1: Watch for traffic: One of the most important things a passenger can do is to watch for ground and air traffic (airplanes, birds, balloons, UFO’s) and point them out to the pilot.
If the pilot is monitoring an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) frequency, listen to where the ATC says the other aircraft is try to spot the other airplane. You will learn how controllers use a combination of clock positions, distance, and altitude to convey the other aircraft’s position relative to yours.
Run checklists: Pilots at all levels make extensive use of checklists to ensure that all necessary tasks are completed at the right time, and in the correct sequence. One way to help is to “run” the checklist by reading items to the pilot, and then watching to ensure completion of the required task. In addition to being a big help to the pilot, performing this task will boost your knowledge of the aircraft and of safety-focused aviation procedures.
Monitor progress: Even in the era of moving map navigators, there is no substitute for human situational and positional awareness. A companion can learn to read paper charts, tablet navigation apps, or panel-mounted moving map navigators; follow the progress of the flight; and make verbal tell the pilot when the aircraft crosses a named navigational point.
Especially on a flight where ATC gives instructions, it is also helpful to keep a written log of assigned headings, altitudes, and radio frequencies.
Set/monitor radios: Still another way to assist the pilot is to learn to set and change radio frequencies. A flying companion can also learn to set the aircraft’s ATC-assigned transponder code, and to perform basic functions on the installed or hand-held moving map navigator(s)