What is the difference between performance and proficiency in flight training?

In flight training, the distinction between performance and proficiency is crucial for developing skilled pilots. Performance specifically refers to the ability to execute flight maneuvers and tasks as taught. This means a pilot can demonstrate their competence in handling the aircraft under various conditions.

Proficiency, on the other hand, encompasses a deeper level of skill that involves consistently demonstrating the ability to perform these maneuvers effectively and accurately over time. It signifies not just the completion of tasks but also the quality and reliability of execution. A proficient pilot can handle the aircraft safely and smoothly, while a pilot who may perform well in a single instance might not consistently do so under various scenarios or pressures.

This nuanced understanding underscores the importance of both concepts in flight training; performance is about the act itself, while proficiency emphasizes the consistency and reliability of that act across different contexts.