Preview: Cessna 172S Systems Guide

Outline:

Introduction

Airplane systems and stick forces are often taught in a way that overwhelms students early in training. When too much technical detail is introduced too quickly, students lose context and struggle to understand how systems actually relate to aircraft operation and safety.

This session presents a logical, underwhelming-by-design approach to teaching systems and stick forces. The focus is on sequencing, relevance, and motivation—teaching systems in manageable layers, tying them to real scenarios, and using visuals and checklists to create understanding rather than memorization.

1. The Core Problem: Too Much, Too Soon

   Summary:Many instructors introduce aircraft systems at a depth that exceeds a student’s current understanding. This creates confusion and discouragement rather than learning. Systems instruction should build gradually, just like flight skills.

   Instead of dumping every system at once, instructors should recognize that most students lack foundational knowledge in mechanics or electricity. Teaching must start with context and purpose before technical detail.

   • Students are often unfamiliar with basic mechanical and electrical concepts

   • Overloading information leads to memorization without understanding

   • Early systems lessons should support confidence, not intimidation

   • Poor sequencing causes long-term gaps in comprehension

   • Simpler explanations early lead to better retention later
     

2. The Solution: Teach One or Two Systems at a Time

   Summary:Effective systems instruction is paced and intentional. Teaching one or two systems per lesson allows students to absorb information and connect it to aircraft operation and safety.

   This approach mirrors how pilots actually use systems knowledge—in focused scenarios rather than all at once. It also allows instructors to tailor depth based on training stage.

   • Limit each lesson to one or two related systems

   • Tie systems to current flight training phase

   • Reinforce systems across multiple lessons instead of one deep dive

   • Allow time for questions and clarification

   • Build systems knowledge progressively
     

3. Using the Emergency Checklist to Add Purpose and Motivation

   Summary:Emergency checklists provide context that immediately answers the student’s question: Why does this system matter? When systems are taught through the lens of failures, students become more engaged and motivated to learn.

   This method turns abstract systems into practical safety tools and prepares students for real-world decision-making.

   • Emergency checklists show consequences of system failures

   • Students understand systems faster when tied to outcomes

   • Failures create natural discussion points

   • Checklists add realism and relevance

   • Motivation increases when safety is clearly connected
     

4. Start with the Easy Stuff First

   Summary:Beginning with simple, familiar systems helps students gain confidence before tackling complex topics. Items like interior lighting, ventilation, doors, and seats provide low-stress entry points into systems learning.

   Early success builds momentum and reduces anxiety when transitioning to more technical systems later.

   • Start with non-threatening, visible systems

   • Build confidence early in training

   • Use simple systems to introduce terminology

   • Reinforce habit patterns and normal operations

   • Prepare students for deeper systems discussions
     

5. Use Visuals: Diagrams, Schematics, and Images

   Summary:Visual learning is essential for systems instruction. Diagrams and schematics help students form mental models that text alone cannot provide. Visuals turn abstract flows into understandable processes.

   Whenever possible, instructors should replace verbal explanations with images students can see, trace, and annotate.

   • Diagrams clarify flow and relationships

   • Schematics simplify complex systems

   • Images reduce cognitive load

   • Visuals support different learning styles

   • Seeing the system improves recall
     

6. Use the POH — or Create a Personal Systems Guide

   Summary:While the POH is the authoritative source, it is often not written in a student-friendly way. Creating a simplified systems guide allows instructors to present information clearly while remaining accurate.

   A personalized guide can consolidate diagrams, highlight key components, and remove unnecessary distractions.

   • POH content can be overwhelming for beginners

   • Custom guides improve clarity

   • Consolidated visuals save time

   • Annotated diagrams reinforce learning

   • Students benefit from simplified explanations
     

7. Annotate Diagrams to Consolidate Learning

   Summary:Taking photos of diagrams and annotating them helps students actively engage with systems. This process turns passive learning into active understanding.

   Annotation encourages students to explain systems in their own words, which strengthens comprehension and checkride readiness.

   • Annotated diagrams reinforce cause-and-effect

   • Students participate in the learning process

   • Visual consolidation improves retention

   • Annotations support oral explanations

   • This method prepares students for system failure questions
     

8. Why Students Struggle with Electrical Systems

   Summary:Electrical systems are challenging because they are not intuitive and rely on abstract concepts. Many students lack prior exposure to electricity, making traditional explanations ineffective.

   Breaking electrical systems into simple components and flows makes them far more approachable.

   • Electricity is invisible and abstract

   • Many students have no electrical background

   • Terminology can be confusing

   • Schematics often overwhelm beginners

   • Simplification is essential for understanding
     

9. Key Electrical Components: Contactors, Relays, and Solenoids

   Summary:Understanding contactors, relays, and solenoids is critical to understanding how electrical systems actually function. These components explain how power is controlled and distributed.

   Teaching what these parts do before how they work helps students grasp their purpose.

   • Contactors control high-current circuits

   • Relays allow low-power switches to control loads

   • Solenoids convert electrical energy into motion

   • Real photos improve understanding

   • Function matters more than memorization
     

10. The Electrical Bus: Simplifying Power Distribution

    Summary:The electrical bus is best taught as a distribution point rather than a complex structure. Understanding how buses separate essential and non-essential loads helps students make better decisions during failures.

    Simplified bus diagrams improve situational awareness during abnormal scenarios.

    • Buses distribute electrical power

    • Essential vs non-essential loads matter

    • Bus failures affect equipment availability

    • Simplified diagrams improve clarity

    • This knowledge supports emergency decision-making
      

11. Simplified C172S Electrical System Overview

    Summary:A simplified schematic of the C172S electrical system helps students see how components interact. Removing unnecessary detail allows focus on power flow, redundancy, and failure points.

    This prepares students for both checkrides and real-world troubleshooting.

    • Simplified schematics reduce overload

    • Power flow becomes clear

    • Redundancy is easier to explain

    • Failure points are easier to identify

    • Supports emergency checklist use

What you can join for free.

• Bootcamp+ membership site - All power hours, tribal knowledge videos, and more.

• Preview our online course - On Demand

• Join our Power Hour live shows - Every Saturday

• Join our Newsletter list - At the bottom of the home page - Monthly -

• Join our Podcast “Flight Training the Way I See It” - Monthly

• Power Hour Outlines from Previous Shows and Resources - On Demand

*Most Current Special Discounted Offerings

• Smart Study Pro - On the “Go” ACS ground areas of operation hyper focus

Ground School Courses: 

• 7-Day Immersion Class - In person or remote - Every Month - Location Varies

• 3-Day CFII Class - In person or remote - Every two to three months - Location Varies.

• Weekend Mastery Class - Using technology/ForeFlight/Zoom together - Advanced Teaching techniques - Every quarter.

What we offer for purchase.

• Online CFI, CFII, and MEI courses - Self-Paced.

• Custom Training Products - Lesson Plans, Flow charts, FOI Roadmaps, etc. 

• Bootcamp+ membership site - All power hours, tribal knowledge videos, and more.

• Remote ground instruction - Send email to mike@cfibootcamp.com 

• Remote checkride preparation - Mock oral exams, etc., for all ratings - mike@cfibootcamp.com