Trap: Treating all helicopter visibility reductions as unlimited. Category A reduction cannot be below ¼ mile or 1,200 feet RVR.
Trap: Confusing DH (AGL) with DA. The outline states DA replaces DH (AGL) terminology on RNAV charts, while DH (AGL) is referenced to height above threshold elevation.
Trap: Assuming “radar contact” transfers terrain responsibility. It does not.
Trap: Treating current-looking radar data as current. ARTCC precipitation data may be up to 6 minutes old.
Trap: Reversing the glideslope indication. A pointer below center means the aircraft is above the glideslope.
Trap: Reversing the ball correction. For coordination, apply rudder pressure toward the side indicated by the ball displacement.
Trap: Confusing a slip and skid. A slipping turn has the ball toward the turn; a skidding turn has the ball away from the turn.
Trap: Assuming more power always improves a tailplane stall. Increasing power with uncleared tailplane ice can worsen the stall.
Trap: Treating clear ice and rime ice as equivalent. Clear ice is glossy and transparent; rime ice is milky, opaque, and porous.
Trap: Assuming a thin ice layer is harmless. Even thin rough ice at the leading edge can significantly increase stall speed.
Trap: Confusing pressure altitude with density altitude. Density altitude includes a nonstandard-temperature correction.
Trap: Reversing the cold-temperature rule. In colder-than-standard air, true altitude is lower than indicated altitude.
Trap: Applying cold correction to an assigned ATC altitude. Assigned ATC altitudes must not be corrected, although they may be rejected if terrain clearance is unsafe.
Trap: Assuming the heading indicator seeks north. It must be manually aligned with the magnetic compass.
Trap: Confusing an ODP with a SID. ODPs address obstacle clearance and may be flown without ATC clearance when no SID is assigned; SIDs require ATC clearance.
Trap: Treating all procedure turns as identical. The outline distinguishes 45° turns, holding patterns in lieu of procedure turns, and teardrop procedure turns.
Trap: Missing the meaning of NoPT. NoPT means no procedure turn is required; it does not mean the approach is canceled.
Trap: Confusing Class B and Class C entry requirements. Class B requires an ATC clearance; Class C requires two-way communication before entry and while inside.
Trap: Confusing restricted and prohibited areas. Restricted areas may be transited when authorized; prohibited-area flight is prohibited.
Trap: Assuming a standard-rate turn depends only on aircraft type. The standard rate is 3° per second, while the bank angle needed varies with airspeed.
Trap: Fixating on one precise digital indication. Instrument flying requires a cross-check; trend vectors and individual displays supplement rather than replace it.