Matthew Waugh

May 2002

I’m a great believer in pilots verbalizing every thought that goes through their head. Well let’s limit that a little, every thought that relates to the piloting of the aircraft. I believe that talking everything through will provide a pilot with some distinct advantages.

If you have any comments or feedback on this article please send me an e-mail.

Slow Down

If you have to put together the words and make them come out of your mouth then it concentrates your mind and it slows you down. Verbalizing the activity forces you to think, then act. Otherwise there’s a very real danger that you’ll act, then think.

When to Verbalize

You should verbalize everything, all the time.

When you’re flying with another pilot verbalize everything, it enhances communication. If you each know what the other is thinking then you’re much more likely to on the same page when it comes to taking the next set of actions.

When you’re flying with an instructor verbalize everything. Flying is one situation where I’d rather be good than lucky. If you don’t tell your instructor what you’re thinking then they don’t know if you completed a maneuver due to skill or luck. I’d much rather a pilot accurately describe how they’re going to perform a maneuver and then perform it badly than have them perform the maneuver perfectly but have no idea why it worked out. Basic stick and rudder skills can always be fixed, judgement and knowledge are harder to teach and judge.

When you’re flying with an examiner the more talking you do the less talking they’ll do, so they won’t be coming up with new things for you to demonstrate. Also, the more you can keep them thinking about the things you want them thinking about the less chance there is they’ll be looking around finding things to fault you on. Keep talking and keep the examiner focused on what you want them focused on.

When you’re flying with non-pilots they’ll be interested in hearing what’s happening. Quiet brooding might work well at your book reading club, but people in the cockpit would rather hear that everythings going as expected.

When you’re on your own, why mess with what’s working, and nobodies going to hear you talking to yourself.

What to Verbalize

Verbalize everything. Obviously the checklist items should be read out loud along with their responses, but verbalize everything else, what are you thinking about, talk about it.