Most local practice areas are the same place examiners go to for the ground reference maneuver. So, pick potential pylons in advance of training and the checkride - and in opposing directions since they need to be perpendicular to the wind. This eliminates that annoyance to instructors and examiners when students take forever to find suitable pylons. Using a notch of flaps adds a safety margin to these low-level turns.
Vince D'Angelo Naples, Florida
You're scanning my panel
I liked your article on how flight instruments compare to what the student sees outside ("Panel Discussion," April AOPA Flight Training). I also liked seeing my old airplane, 505SP, once again. I picked it up at the factory in January 2000 and used it in instrument training and some basic flight training. In April 2002 I sold it to a gentleman in Kerrville, Texas, and he in turn sold it to someone in Wichita, Kansas. Good article, good photos, and good airplane. Thanks.
Dan Combs Whitesboro, Texas
"Panel Discussion" by Joel Stoller repeats the same old tired mistake that everyone does regarding the use of the vertical speed indicator.
The Instrument Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-15, in Chapter 6, page 6-5, says, "The initial movement of the vertical speed needle is instantaneous and indicates the trend of the vertical movement of the...." Never mind that it says helicopter at this point; the same is true in an airplane (it is better explained under the helicopter section). The fact that the attitude can be nose up and the aircraft is descending - or the nose can be down and the aircraft is climbing - is more dramatic in a helicopter, so the pilot learns to actually use the VSI as the primary pitch instrument. I say primary because that is the instrument that is best used for control input. Yes, the altimeter is the actual primary because that tells me if I am on, above, or below my desired altitude. And, yes, I can correct using only that instrument, but the VSI and altimeter move exactly at the same time, and the VSI has a more visible movement and can be better controlled with elevator yoke pressures. A little practice at keeping the VSI needle centered on zero will teach pitch control better than any other method.
Jim Troutman Via the Internet
Training the older student
Skip Jones' article on instructing older students ("CFI to CFI: Younger Instructor, Older Student," May AOPA Flight Training) contained many valuable suggestions, but I would like to add something about their unique emotional and physical status.
Having achieved a certain level of prestige or success at work, the older student will be thrust into a milieu of young people with neurons firing more rapidly, brains relatively uncluttered by work/family/life, and motor reflexes not conditioned by years of driving a car. New motor skills take longer to acquire, and the older student must work harder and longer to gain flying skills; this may cause impatience, frustration, and insecurity.
I started flying lessons at age 59. My instructor was very patient and supportive, but I was hard on myself as I worked to gain skill. It seemed forever before I soloed, and when I finally did, my joy kept me in the air for five touch and goes before my instructor summoned me to the ground. I did pass the checkride on the first try, with an average number of learning hours before the checkride. I will always be grateful to my instructor for believing in me, and I hope that other older students will be as fortunate.
Joan Champie Austin, Texas
Wrong-way weather
In "The Weather Never Sleeps: Practice Makes Perfect" (April AOPA Flight Training) it mentioned wind directions. I got a little confused. From how I read it, the winds should be from the south (not the north) if the winds flow clockwise from the high and counterclockwise to the low. Is this correct or is the article correct?
Steve Danhof Via the Internet
Several alert readers who brought this to our attention were correct; the winds should flow from the south/southeast - not from the north, as we stated. -Ed.
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