Flight Training - May 2021 - 38

Level out and hold altitude. As the desired altitude is
approached, gently lower the nose to level, then hesitate a second
or two to let it begin to accelerate before bringing the power back
to cruise settings. If the power is retarded during the push-over, the
airplane will have a tendency to lose a little altitude as it accelerates.
Hold an exact heading. While on course, as determined by
pilotage (landmarks) or GPS, determine the heading on the compass or heading indicator and hold it within a few degrees.
Visualize and hold a course line. While holding your heading,
identify a landmark on course ahead of you and monitor to see if
the heading is taking you toward that landmark. If not, adjust the
heading a few degrees to correct for wind at that altitude.
Correctly use navaids. Rather than blindly trusting the GPS,
back up your navigation with a paper or digital sectional chart. If
the GPS screen you've been following goes dark, you'll know where
you are and the correct compass heading to be held.

>> TECH TIP

If you navigate using GPS, make proficiency in the
technology part of your self-assessment. Do you know how
to verify your navigational guidance is coming from the
GPS-and not the VOR also installed on the airplane? Did
you enter the correct identifiers and activate your flight
plan? Backing up your navaids by referencing landmarks on
a chart will help give you the situational awareness needed
to recognize when the guidance doesn't seem right.

Plan your traffic pattern entry. Well before reaching the
airport, determine the appropriate entry to the pattern and visualize flying it. This might mean over-flying at a higher altitude for a
better entry position.
Exhibit situational awareness vis-à-vis other traffic. You've
drawn the pattern in your mind and visualized where it lies on the
ground ahead. While entering the pattern and flying it, constantly
search all the legs and the general area for traffic. Pay attention to
position reports from other aircraft in the pattern, and scan the
area for other aircraft that may not be reporting.
Make appropriate configuration changes. Flaps, if available,
are extended at the speeds listed in the pilot's operating handbook
and in the position that matches the airplane, the type of approach
(power-on, power-off, for instance), and the runway.
Identify the desired touchdown point and hold the
approach path to it. On approach, pilots should be focused on the
threshold or numbers and have selected a spot approximately 500
feet down the runway as the touchdown point. Aim your approach
path at the numbers or threshold, knowing you'll float well past them
while flaring. Hold the aiming point visually fixed in the windshield:
If it's moving up, you're short, if moving down, you'll land long.
Control your speed. Keep the speed within three knots (preferably less) of the desired speed.
Flare at the proper height and burn off speed. Make it gradual, make it smooth.
Touch down on the mains and hold the nose off. To
anyone watching, that kind of landing puts you in the rare group
of people who add " pretty " to the list of adjectives that describe

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Flight Training - May 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - May 2021