CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 11

T RI C KS O F TH E TRAD E

COLLECTED WISDOM

EDITOR'S NOTE:
The following is a compilation of flight instructors' favorite techniques
for teaching a procedure, enhancing a student's aviation experience, and
promoting learning. Email cfinewsletter@aopa.org to share your favorite
instructional tip.
FLIGHT MANEUVERS REDUX
Revisit what it takes to practice certain maneuvers so you can be on top of
them. For example, review a book explaining and depicting all of the flight
maneuvers necessary for a private pilot license. Then, take one or two
flights alone and practice those maneuvers before you instruct them.
-John J. Kerekes
THE STRING APPROACH
For a tailwheel, two point landing, when you turn final from base at 400
feet above the airstrip altitude, immediately after the turn, lock in airspeed,
be on centerline, and draw an imaginary string to the touchdown spot.
Maintain airspeed with pitch and power to stay on the string-do not sag
below or balloon above it. Above the touchdown spot, arrest the descent
with the elevator and relax back pressure. Let the airplane settle on the
runway gently, slight pressure forward to holding it on. Keep directional
control with the rudder. As the aircraft slows down bring the elevator back
to full aft, brake as needed, remove flaps, and come to a full stop.
-Anonymous
SPOT THE TRAFFIC
Encourage vigilance outside the cockpit by telling your students they owe
you $1.00 for every aircraft they fail to observe and point out (aircraft that
you have to spot first!). Maintain a fictitious account from flight to flight.
Eventually let them zero out the account when they're in the habit of
looking for and calling out traffic.
-Anonymous

DEATH GRIP NO MORE
New students may fly with a death grip on the yoke-maybe of fear or they
think it takes force to control the aircraft. Have them remove their hands,
trim the airplane, and have them put two fingers back on the yoke, and
eventually they'll lose the poor habit. If fear causes a student to freeze on
the controls, and the instructor needs to take over, place one hand over the
student's eyes. He or she will immediately let go to grab your hand. You can
now retain control.
-Scott Swickard
CONTROLLED EXPOSURE
I think too many CFIs are fair weather instructors. When an instructor
only waits for a good VFR day to fly with a student, they are doing the
student a great disservice, because that student will most likely encounter
low VFR conditions at some point in their flying. I think it is much better
to introduce this environment in a controlled situation.
-Anonymous

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION EYE OPENER
To have students understand spatial disorientation, I have them close
their eyes, make a turn of at least 180 degrees, and then level out, eyes still
closed. I then ask them to tell me when they think they are level and to
open their eyes. One hundred percent of the time they are not level and in
fact in a 30 degree bank.
-George T. Coats

How about you? Do you have a tip you'd like to share
with other CFIs? Email cfinewsletter@aopa.org to
add your wisdom to the list.
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3
