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Although knowledge of the new aircraft's operating systems is important, pilots must be
aware that old operating habits can be deadly when transitioning between aircraft. For
example, since we have just discussed how different aircraft can have different fuel
operating systems, let's suppose that you lose an engine in a twin you are transitioning
to on a dark and stormy night. Now let's suppose that in the stress of the moment, you
revert to an old habit. You use the crossfeed procedures for a twin that you normally fly
instead of the different procedure for the new aircraft. You might have just shut off the
fuel to your only remaining engine.
Another example of how a habit can cause you a problem in a new aircraft is using the
wrong technique to lean the engine. There is at least one make and model of aircraft
that will use substantially more fuel than the performance charts indicate if, from habit,
you use the traditional leaning technique. Most of us have been taught to lean until
we get peak RPM (in an aircraft with a fixed pitch prop), and then enrich the mixture until
there is a 25-50 RPM drop. However, in at least one aircraft, the leaning instructions are
to lean under there is a 25-50 RPM drop. There is a warning that fuel consumption cna be
10 percent higher if the first method is used instead of the recommended procedure. There is
also a warning that not following this recommended procedure and leaving the mixture in
the full rich position can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40 percent, and decrease
flight endurance by as much as 70 minutes from what is published in the 75 percent power
performance figures.
Since old operating habits can be deadly to pilots transitioning between aircraft with
different operating procedures, pilots need to be aware that during stressful or emergency
situations in a new aircraft, they may use the wrong procedures. In such situations,
pilots must make sure that they are using the correct procedure for the aircraft that they
are flying. Pilots must be particularly careful any time they are making any changes that
involve the fule system or the landing gear.
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