Trim instruction
P The direction to move the trim and the proper instructional words to use are a common source of confusion Raising the trim wheel lowers the nose...Effective Instruction
First of four elements is identification of the objectives…not the creation of them as would the FAA have you believe BR The...
Trim
P Most aircraft have single axis trim for the elevator Airliners have three axis trim for the elevator rudder and ailerons Trim is used to...
Crash Survival
#1 survival item is to let a responsible person know where you are going your route and ETA Insurance is to make contact after arrival ...
Emergency Procedures
Use of checklist BR Emergency descent BR Situations where required BR Advantage of using flaps BR Speeds within 5 knots BR ...
Self-Doubt is Normal
B Every so often the instructor finds a student who is going through a phase of flying that is very disturbing to the student...
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
P Even the best instruction will not suffice if the student does not show good judgment The student must always be making a series of judgmental decisions...
Timed Turns
P In VFR condition at level altitude cruise the standard rate bank is selected by using the turn coordinator The degree of bank is NOTED on the...
Airworthiness Directive
P B AD Compliance Record B P P Aircraft No: Make: Serial Number P ...
The Takeoff
P The runup is completed and the trim is set for takeoff We have used our pre takeoff and takeoff checklist and have been cleared by the...
The Risks of Flying
Most flying decisions are easy if the decision is based upon safety Being safe does not mean without risk Engine operations are safe but some 8 percent...
Normal and Crosswind
Vy 10 5 knots ...
Its About Time...
The next major step in aviation measurement came from the Greeks about 2500 years ago The Greeks sought rules for the way number ideas seemed to work ...
What You Know, Gets In The Way of What You Don't Know
The learning law of #39;Primacy #39; is what makes developing proper habits first build the foundation for what you will do when under stress...
Runway Incursions
P An incursion is when anything on the ground creates a collision hazard with an active runway area Human error is the primary cause These are...
Command Authority
FAR 91 3: quot;The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for and is the final authority as to the operation ...
Service Bulletin
P Issued by manufacturer about service problems and solutions The solution is not mandatory as with an AD P ...
The Johnson Bar
One unlikely aircraft feature was derived from the steam engine The Johnson bar was used to control the amount of steam and hence the...
Factors in Successful Learning
P B 1 Time of year B BR Summer flying gives longer days but does not provide the most desirable range of experience...
1995 Statistics
Most flying decisions are easy if the decision is based upon safety Being safe does not mean without risk Engine operations are safe...
Traffic Patterns
Local rules BR Altitudes U U 100 and speeds U U 10 knots BR The idea of...
Landings on Final
Over the fence Vref U U 5 knots or 1 2 Vso No exact POH figures BR B Soft field Approach...
Vertigo
P Unrecognized spatial disorientation is caused by some combination of channeled attention distraction and target fixation These most often occur in conjunction with loss of situational...
Area Familiarization
P I have instructed at a largely general aviation airport CCR with two sets of dual runways This has been fortunate because the potential complexity...
Aviator's Lies
ul li The weather will be all right BR li We will be on time maybe even early BR ...
What's New
With so much history in the past I would like to take you into the future: BR I am most proud of my...
Tight Grip VS Light Touch
P The left hand has only two useable digits while flying The forefinger is behind the yoke for back pressure and the thumb is for forward pressure...
IFR Maneuvers
Straight and level control U U 200 feet of altitude U U 20 degrees of heading U ...
Notes On Learning
Learning to fly was still the greatest adventure of life The inner process of learning to do so many different tasks in a context...
Short Field Takeoffs
Rotate at Vx or as recommended BR Climb at Vx 10 or 5 knots to 50í BR Above 50í climb at Vy 10...
The Practical Test
Determines if applicant has had required instruction BR Determines if applicant can safely perform required tasks BR BR The practical test is a two...
CFI Abuses of Student Time
This problem is usually one of teaching style and respect BR 1 Coming to lesson unprepared BR 2 Failure to prep...
Operating Without a MEL (Minimum Equipment List)
P B Minimum Equipment List B P P Most older aircraft have been certified without a MEL but everything operational...
Statistics on Fuel/electric related accidents
ol P li Experience level of the pilot does not seem to matter in fuel related accidents BR li 86...
Special Use Airspace (SUA)
P Not on charts but often mentioned by VOR Tower broadcasts Locally by Livermore ATIS to warn of National Guard firing range near Danville San Ramon border...
Pilot/Owner Maintenance
P Keeping an aircraft clean greatly improves both its appearance and its performance When you clean an aircraft you learn a great deal about its construction and...
Subtle Fatigue
P This problem often begins with a distraction that causes fixation on an instrument or occurrence Complex flight operations are the first skills to deteriorate ...
Flight Review
All slow flight BR All stalls BR All landings BR Go arounds BR Steep turns BR Spirals BR Unusual...
Introduction To The Radio
I introduce the ATIS frequency 124 7 the alphabetical sequencing order of information during the day and how to use this information ...
Instructional sequence
P By the second flight the student should have previewed the aircraft manual The manual checklist material must be completely incorporated into that of the student ...
Scanning (instructor notes)
P I suggest a scan process of having the student follow my finger as I point successively from HI to AI VSI to AI Altimeter to ...
Military Instruction
Instruction that uses the stair step approach is predicated on the absence of surprises A military preflight can take hours In my own...
Post Landing Checklist
When flaps C H mixture radio ...
Slow Flight
No maneuvers below 1500í BR 1 2 Vs1 at 10 and 5 knots BR Altitude within 100í and airspeed within 10 and ...
Takeoff Notes
P While easy to accomplish the takeoff is a relatively high risk flight operation because of the few options if things go wrong The best option...
Cold Weather
P Hot or cold temperatures affect the quality of the preflight In the winter as your body cools you tend to mentally and physically slow down...
Ground Reference
Turns around a point BR B 600 to 1000 feet 45 degree bank U U 100 feet U...
One CFI + One CFI = Problems
One several occasions I have flown with both experienced and inexperienced CFI for a number of reasons In practically every instance peculiar things have...
Spins - A History
An unheralded aviation pioneer is British scientist F A Lindemann The Prof as he was known led a very checkered...
Failed Teaching
The most dangerous aspect of flying and flight instruction is that the FAA Part 91 system lets incompetents fly and get sweetheart proficiency checks just...
Requirements of 61.87 logged as satisfactory proficiency and safety.