What Makes a Good Pilot

Total flight hours? Experience is worth something.
At least it says you haven't managed to kill yourself in that many hours.
But 1,000 hours of experience is different from 1 hour repeated 1,000 times.
And there is a point of diminishing returns.

Military fighter jet experience? It suggests good reaction times and stick-rudder skills.
But poor judgment can create situations from which no amount of stick-rudder skills can save you.

Frequency of flying? Getting out regularly prevents skills from rusting.
But this assumes doing it right.
Repeating the same mistakes more frequently only reinforces them.

I think it is none of the above.
All of the above can be contributing factors, but they're not what really matters. So what really does matter?
First let's define "good pilot". I'll define it descriptively:
A good pilot is someone I would let fly my family without me being there, and without me worrying about it.

  • Judgment: good judgment is the single most important attribute of being a good pilot. Too bad it is so difficult to measure (and to learn, if it can be learned at all).
  • Fly the Plane: keep your head in the game, look out the window (or scan the needles) and fly the plane. Stay ahead of the plane - attitude, power, airspeed, trim, etc. Everything else: communication, navigation, etc. is secondary.
  • Consistency: always perform each action the same correct way, according to SOP. For actions having no SOP, apply rule (1).
  • Risk Planning: always think about "plan B" - what if the engine fails? What if a door pops open? What if the airplane isn't off the ground climbing at Vx by this point? What if weather is worse than forecast? Don't just think about it, plan in advance what you'll actually do when it happens.
  • Assertive: It is YOUR airplane and the outcome of every flight is ultimately up to YOU. ATC is there to help you, but don't be afraid to say "Unable", "Say Again" or "Negative". And don't confuse "assertive" with "aggressive".
  • Conscientious: always remember you are working with potential & kinetic energy that can kill you (and your passengers) in a heartbeat. Most incidents require not a single mistake, but a chain of several mistakes. That is a nice safety margin, but don't count on it - don't expect the laws of physics to forgive mistakes. Never become complacent!
  • Proficient: practice regularly and maintain proficiency in all maneuvers including emergencies, dead stick landings, short/soft field takeoffs and landings, steep turns, stalls, etc. Don't get rusty!

    • There are other attributes, but the above are sufficient to make a good pilot.