AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2020 - 86

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P&E

PROFICIENCY

by sensing which way the wind is blowing at altitude, turning into it, lowering
the landing gear and flaps, and getting
your groundspeed to the lowest possible
value. Keeping your eyes outside, adjusting to minor variations in wind direction,
and holding a constant heading and altitude while adding power will involve all
your extremities.
Many student pilots learn Dutch rolls,
which require holding a constant heading
while banking the airplane left and right-
but try doing them slowly. Aim the nose at
a prominent point and keep it there while
you slowly roll into a 45-degree bank in one
direction, then the other. Do it as glacially
as you can, and you'll feel how much crosscontrol is required to avoid turning.
Another rudder coordination exercise
is the falling leaf. Enter a power-off stall,
hold the stick full aft, and try to keep the
wings level with quick taps on the rudder
pedals. It's not easy.
Get to know the pitch attitude that
brings about your airplane's best glide
speed. (With flaps and landing gear up,
it's typically very close to level flight.)
Knowing this will help you in an actual
engine-out emergency because you'll
immediately set the proper pitch attitude
for the airplane and avoid chasing the airspeed needle while pitching up, then down.
When you return to an airport, practice
a few go-arounds before you actually land
the airplane. Do the go-arounds at progressively lower altitudes as you get back
in the groove.
And when you do decide you're all
done flying, let the games continue on
landing. Make each touchdown an accuracy landing. Keep it on the centerline, and
if it's got a nosewheel, do a wheelie and
keep that front tire from touching down
as long as practical.
If you're not satisfied with your performance, good! You've got things to work
on during your next flight. And when you
do feel sharp, sign up for a flight review so
you'll be good to go for 24 more months.
With any luck, that period won't include
any more forced downtime.
AOPA
focusedflightreview.org
EMAIL dave.hirschman@aopa.org

86 | AOPA PILOT September 2020

If you're not
satisfied with your
performance, good!
You've got things to
work on during your
next flight.

SIX STEPS TO THE SKY
The AOPA Air Safety Institute's Return-to-Flight
Proficiency Plan, sponsored
by Hartzell Propeller, includes
profiles for VFR and IFR pilots
and is designed to give a
clear, step-by-step approach
to refreshing knowledge and
sharpening skills that degrade
after a period of inactivity.
1. Review important topics by
watching ASI videos arranged
by phase of flight.
2. Simulate a flight from
takeoff to landing.
3. Refresh your knowledge of
aircraft systems.
4. Reacquaint yourself with
your airplane and avionics.
5. Aim for proficiency, not
just currency. Fly with a CFI
or another pilot who can act
as pilot in command, if
necessary.
6. Stay proficient by training
regularly.
Explore the plan for a selection of resources to help you
regain proficiency, including
Focused Flight Review flight
profiles.
a
irsafetyinstitute.org/
returntoflight

http://www.AOPA.org/creditcard http://www.AOPA.org/creditcard http://www.focusedflightreview.org https://www.aopa.org/-/media/Files/AOPA/Home/News/coronavirus-resources/2020_Return-to-Flight-v4.pdf https://www.aopa.org/-/media/Files/AOPA/Home/News/coronavirus-resources/2020_Return-to-Flight-v4.pdf

AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - September 2020