So let’s start with the basics. Transitioning into bigger faster airplanes does not happen overnight. Studying over a period of time and making sure you’re adequately prepared for your check ride that will eventually come up is the best strategy.
1) Memory Items & Limitations:
Same thing I wrote about the last post: know your memory items and limitations BEFORE you even get to the training facility. This includes knowing max airspeeds and stall speeds. This will help for your first situation in handling the aircraft. You should have flashcards or an AFM with limitations chapter & procedures tabs where you can find these items. Studying the AFM as well helps understand why these are memory items and in turn, can help you memorize them
2) Don’t Fly with Max Thrust Until You’re Ready
This is a simple trick, and yet it’s one of the most important. If you’re jumping in the sim or airplane to fly for the first time, don’t get overexcited about it! Sure it’s exciting to get to go faster, but with “great speed comes great responsibility.” That’s a quote I just made up but there is a lot of truth to it!
After you take off, pull the power back
When you’re cruising and having to fly a complicated clearance or getting ready for an approach, pull the power back as much as you’re allowed
Giving yourself more time to set up and not having to rush through the flight generates less room for mistakes.
3) Use the Autopilot Accordingly
Learn how the autopilot on this plane works: do you have FLC mode? VS? Any VNAV or APPR mode along with NAV?
As soon as you have it available, click the mode you want and activate it. And if autopilot transfer is a mode on it then MAKE SURE it’s selected to the side that is flying.
During training before you have a check ride or before a critical time, mess around with hand flying and no autopilot. I even shot an approach on the standby instruments without a PFD to see how sensitive the controls and power inputs are. This all just builds into better skill.
4) Learn How Your Thrust Levers/Throttles Work
I add this note because not all levers have the same sensitivity. For example, Citation II takes some work, you have to use a little muscle to move them forward or backward. This is juxtaposed to the Learjets, where 1cm of movement changes N1 by 8%. Just getting a feel for how they work in your plane will be the first biggest step in flying well.
Remember during your transition to take your time learning things to learn them thoroughly and to ask questions often. Sometimes learning an aircraft with more power can be frustrating and have you doubt your flying skills. Just know it takes time and will come. Fly safe and fly smart!
