Brian Schiff

Friday's Fabulous Flyer 

Brian Schiff

Brian Schiff is a captain for a major US airline and is type-rated on the Boeing 727, 757, 767, DC-9 (MD-80), CL-65, LR-JET and GV. His interest in aviation safety is evident, as he regularly conducts seminars about aviation safety and teaches safety techniques to student and professional pilots alike. He believes we are all becoming a little too automation dependent, and he sent me a great video on automation reliance. A must see to acknowledge where our world is going.

With roots deeply planted in general aviation, Brian has flown a wide variety of aircraft (listed below). Variety? Wait until you see that list! His total flying time is over 19,000 hours. He also holds several flight instructor ratings and is recognized for his enthusiasm and ability to teach in way that simplifies complex procedures and concepts. He has been actively instructing since earning his flight and ground instructor certificates in 1985. 

Brian Schiff has also been an FAA-designated examiner. He attended San Jose State University, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and his Masters of Science Degree in Aviation Safety from the University of Central Missouri.

Barry and Brian Schiff ... 

Aviation Runs in the family!

For a sample of Brian's writing, he shared an article on automation dependency that was previously published, that I'm sure you will all enjoy reading. 

Automation Dependency 

by 

Capt. Brian Schiff for Lift Magazine 

There have recently been too many accidents involving automation dependency, a pilot's over-reliance on the autopilot (and other automated systems). Modern autopilots have become so reliable that they have lulled us into a sense of complacency. Pilots have become conditioned to rely too heavily on them. The autopilot is a tool that should be utilized, not a crutch upon which to lean. 

When I began learning to fly, autopilots were so unreliable that we habitually kept a close eye on them. Even if an autopilot had a heading-hold mode, it was only regarded as a "wing-leveler," enabling a pilot to look away for only a moment or so. The Boeing 727's autopilot could be engaged in either pitch or roll mode or both. We often would disconnect only the pitch mode to manually make changes like leveling off or beginning a descent. This is because hand-flying was smoother than the autopilot. Also, the 727's antiquated autopilot could not be relied upon to level off at the preselected altitude. Some didn't even have altitude-capture capability. 

Today's autopilots are far more advanced and reliable. They rival and exceed the smooth flying of skilled pilots, so the pervasive tendency is to use them more. Excessive and reliant use of aircraft automation leads to complacency and the erosion of basic flying skills. Airline pilots, corporate pilots and general aviation pilots have become excessively dependent on automation. 

For example, while my new-hire copilot was flying the MD- 80, I made the required callout 1,000 feet prior to the target level-off altitude. He acknowledged the "one-to-go" call, but before reaching the assigned altitude, he leaned down to retrieve something from his kit-bag. He remained "heads-down" throughout the level-off. Apparently he completely trusted that the autopilot would dutifully perform as 2 programmed. He hadn't developed the healthy distrust for automation that I had. I watched this display of automation dependency with dismay. The autopilot did its job, but he never looked up to confirm it. 

To teach him not to do this, I tweaked the altitude alerter when he wasn't looking. This sounded a warning that we "busted" our altitude. His flinch accompanied by an adrenaline rush would hopefully serve to help him remember this lesson. I have seen general aviation pilots spend too much time "inside" the cockpit, distracted and fiddling with the GPS or the autopilot when they should have been looking outside. I am guilty of this as well. 

Admitting fault is the first step to correcting it. 

Sometimes, I rely so heavily on the GPS in my car, that I wouldn't be able to find my way around if it failed. Over-dependency on the autopilot during a visual approach can lead to an unstabilized approach, a leading cause of airplane accidents. Executing a visual approach using the autopilot, especially from a downwind leg, can be more complex than clicking it off and simply flying the airplane manually. 

There are two fundamental reasons for autopilot mishaps. Either the autopilot doesn’t respond as programmed, or it dutifully obeys an erroneous command. Safety is dramatically increased if both of these factors are vigilantly monitored and kept in check. A pilot's prime directive is to fly the airplane safely. This means that he or she should be proficient in operating at all levels of automation including the lowest level—hand flying. Automation should never be relied upon without constant verification and monitoring. 

While modern autopilots can do nearly everything required to safely operate a flight, there is no substitute for a well-trained, proficient pilot. The autopilot's engage switch should not be a pilot's disengage switch.

Remember that list of aircraft 

that Captain Schiff has flown?

Here you go... 

1. Aeronca Champ 7AC 
2. Aerospatiale Tampico 
3. American General Tiger (AG-5) 
4. Beechcraft Baron (BE-55) 
5. Beechcraft Bonanza A36TC, B36TC 
6. Beechcraft Bonanza V-35 
7. Beechcraft Model 33 Debonair/F33A 
8. Beechcraft Duchess (BE-76) 
9. Beechcraft King Air C-90 
10. Beechcraft King Air B200 
11. Beechcraft Model 95 Travel Air 
12. Beechcraft Sport 
13. Beechcraft Travelair (BE-95) 
14. Blanik (glider) 
15. Boeing 727-100 series 
16. Boeing 727-200 series 
17. Boeing 757-200 series 
18. Boeing 767-200 series 
19. Boeing 767-300 series 
20. Boeing Stearman (PT-17 Kaydet N2S-4) 
21. Brittain Norman Islander 
22. Bushmaster 2000 
23. Canadair CRJ-700 
24. Cessna Skyhawk (C-172) 
25. Cessna 150/152 
26. Cessna 172 on floats 
27. Cessna 180 
28. Cessna 195 
29. Cessna 310 
30. Cessna 421 
31. Cessna 425 
32. Cessna Centurion C-210/T210 
33. Cessna Chancellor (C-414A) 
34. Cessna Citation I (CE-501) 
35. Cessna CutlassRG (172RG) 
36. Cessna Skylane (C-182) 
37. Cessna Skylane RG (182RG) 
38. Cessna Skywagon (C-206/206T) 
39. Cherokee 140-180 
40. Christen Eagle 
41. Cirrus SR22 
42. Citabria 7GCAA, 7ECA 
43. DC-9-10 series
44. DC-9-30 series 
45. DC-9-40 series
46. DC-9-50 series 
47. DC-9-80 series (MD-80, 82, 83/G) 
48. Eurocopter (EC-135) 
49. Glasair 300 
50. Great Lakes 
51. Grob 103 
52. Gulfstream IV 
53. Gulfstream 450 
54. Gulfstream V 
55. Learjet 24 
56. Learjet 25 
57. Learjet 35 
58. Learjet 55 
59. Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 
60. LoPresti SwiftFury II 
61. Merlin IIIB (SWIII) 
62. Mooney 201 
63. Mooney Ranger 
64. North American T-6/SNJ Texan 
65. P-35 
66. Piper Apache (PA-23) 
67. Piper Archer (PA28-181) 
68. Piper Arrow II, III & IV (PA28-201R, 201RT) 
69. Piper Aztec (PA-23) 
70. Piper Cherokee Six 
71. Piper Cheyenne II (PA31T) 
72. Piper Comanche 250 
73. Piper Geronimo (PA-23) 
74. Piper J-3 Cub/Super Cub (on floats) 
75. Piper Lance/Saratoga (PA32R) 
76. Piper Malibu Mirage 
77. Piper Navajo 
78. Piper Saratoga SP 7
79. Piper Seneca I, II & III (PA34-200/200T) 
80. Piper Warrior (PA28-161) 
81. Pitts S2A 
82. Rutan Long Eze 
83. Schweizer 233 (SGS-233A) 
84. Siai Marchetti (SF-260C) 
85. Siai-Marchetti SF.260TP 
86. Stinson 
87. Super Decathlon
88. Taylorcraft L-2 
89. Zenith 2000 (CH-2000) 

SIMULATOR ONLY
    90. Sabreliner

    91. Boeing 707 

    92. Space Shuttle Orbiter

To find more articles, photos, and a bunch of links 

to plane interesting stuff by Captain Brian Schiff, check out... 

Captain Brian Schiff's 

NEAT STUFF LINK

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene