Back to Basics | The Flight Skills We Forgot to Teach
June 28, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM
Outline:
Why This Presentation Exists
Flight instruction has drifted from fundamentals.
The presenter searched WWII, UK, and USAF materials to recover the “why” behind core techniques.
FAA handbooks miss many critical insights and techniques.
Key Concept: “Teaching is Not Telling”
What CFIs Do Well:
Fly proficiently.
Narrate what they’re doing.
Watch students practice.
What CFIs Don’t Do Well:
Explain from first principles.
Prepare thorough preflight briefings.
Teach proper descent, pattern entry, and coordination techniques.
Critical Flight Concepts We Skip or Undervalue
When and how to begin descent based on geometry, not guesswork.
Aiming in landing – the secret isn’t airspeed, it’s visual reference.
Crosswind landings: exact rudder + aileron balance, not just vague “kick the crab out.”
Avoiding overshooting base-to-final by aligning “near and far numbers.”
Descent Geometry – The ½ Rule
Begin descent when the runway is halfway between horizon and airplane.
Know what power-off glide path, full flap glide, and slips feel like.
If the runway point isn’t moving, that’s your max glide point.
Pattern Mastery Techniques
Aim the aircraft at your intended 45° entry point from miles away.
Keep the target point centered in the windscreen and control airspeed with power/drag.
On base, judge glidepath by checking cowling alignment with extended runway centerline.
Emergency Procedures – Think Systemically
Checklists = tools, not crutches.
Ask:
What’s happening now?
What else will be affected?
How much time do I have?
Use memory items, but understand why they matter.
Brief Weather Like a Pro
Don’t read 30 pages for a 30-mile flight.
Use ForeFlight’s profile view, phone briefings for NOTAMs, and GFA for AIRMETs.
Know PIREP limitations and how to interpret weather briefers’ guidance.
Mastering ATC Interaction
Controllers want:
Concise calls.
Confidence.
Awareness of what ATC can and cannot do.
Match the cadence and tone of the controller for better outcomes.
Advanced Crosswind Technique
Stop thinking “crab and kick.”
Parallel the runway with rudder.
Use aileron to maintain centerline.
Keep correcting until you taxi off the runway.
Coordination & Rudder Use
If you wait for the ball to move, you’re too late.
Use rudder preemptively for torque, P-factor, and precession.
In turns, rudder is applied proportionally with aileron.
Bank = rudder input fades; rollout = use rudder for adverse yaw.
Final Tips
Use ForeFlight tools to improve geometry understanding.
Apply systems-based thinking to checklists and training.
Re-embrace “aim, attitude, and power” as the basis of every flight maneuver.
Topic Resources
Not a Power Hour Lesson Member?
Register for FREE, and Receive Weekly Webinar Access, Reminders, and Exclusive Offers!
