AQP: The Aviator’s Quest for Perfection
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” — Vince Lombardi
No pilot is perfect. No flight is perfect. But if we strive for perfection on every flight, we can greatly improve both the safety of our operation and our enjoyment of the experience. That’s what AQP4GA is all about. AQP, or Advanced Qualification Program, is an FAA-approved, scenario based training protocol used by the airlines. The primary goal of AQP is to prevent pilot error, which is the leading cause of all aviation accidents. At Holladay Aviation, we use the AQP framework to design and deliver comprehensive training programs for general aviation pilots that highlight areas where industry data shows we tend to struggle the most, including:
- Maneuvering in the traffic pattern
- Crosswind takeoffs and landings
- Go-arounds (including an IFR missed approach)
- Maintaining aircraft control during an inadvertent IMC encounter
- Emergency procedures (including loss of thrust on takeoff)
AQP isn’t really “advanced.” It’s easy! Any Qualified Pilot can do it, even a student pilot!
All you need is the right state of mind.