Since you asked

Dear Rod:

What is the best way (most efficient) to teach judgment to primary students? I’m a new CFI and am considering scenario-based training as part of my curriculum.

Sincerely,
Patricia

Greetings Patricia:

Years ago, psychologist Richard Bem said that our basic beliefs and values are inculcated from our role models. As a flight instructor, you are your student’s role model. There’s no more effective way to teach and reinforce good judgment than having the student watch you exercise your good judgment. That’s why you should always make it clear why you make the choices you do when you’re in the student’s presence. This is precisely how co-pilots learn from their captains and interns learn from experienced doctors.

Of course, there are the scenario-based methods of teaching judgment, and you should use them when possible. Since you asked me about the most “efficient” way, there’s simply nothing that sticks in the student’s brain quite like the judgment learned from watching the behavior of a more experienced pilot that he or she admires. This is just another good reason for all students to find a good flight instructor with whom to train.

Dear Rod:

I cannot land. Period! I’m having a terrible time trying to master the fundamentals of getting the darn thing down, and I’m at the breaking point. I’ve got 19 hours in the traffic pattern and I still flare too high, or too low, or not at all. Emergency assistance requested. Help!

Thank you in advance,
Distressed

Greetings Distressed:

OK, you force me to guess about the most likely cause of your landing problem. So here’s a general solution for you.

First, you probably haven’t learned to keep the airplane’s nose steady and wings level during a power-off or partial-power descent at your approach speed. You absolutely need to master that very basic skill before you attempt to land. Mastering this skill demands that you know how to use your rudder and ailerons in coordination.

Second, you are probably looking at the runway directly over the cowling during the landing flare. Good luck with that. You’re looking in the wrong place. The cowling rises when you flare, preventing you from seeing the runway. So look to the left of the cowling to see the same things you see by looking directly ahead, and so much more. Not only can you see the horizon and the end of the runway, but you can see the actual runway for the entire duration of flare. This is how you know when you’re at the right height to flare. What a concept, eh?

Third, you probably have little or no idea about how the airplane responds when applying elevator back pressure in the flare. That’s why you need to activate the airplane’s time machine. What’s that? It’s your throttle. On final, when you’re at normal approach speed (and only at that speed, nothing more or less), have your instructor apply a little power when you’re at an altitude of 50 feet above the runway. This reduces your vertical closure rate, allowing you to calibrate the amount of elevator back-pressure you apply with the pitch response it induces.

Two or three approaches while using your time machine should provide just the right amount of experience to get you off your landing plateau.

Dear Rod:

OK, this isn’t a mega-important issue, but several instructors and I were discussing the problem of a student who wants to bring her dog along on her flight training lessons. I’m not against it, but I would draw the line when it comes to flying solo with the dog. Your thoughts?

Thanks,
Just Curious

Greetings J.C.:

Doggone. Are we talking about a bird dog? Never mind. The answer depends on two things. First, does the airplane owner (assuming it’s not the student) want a dog grazing in his airplane? If he or she doesn’t mind, then it’s the instructor’s call as to whether the dog might distract the student during flight.

I know of one student who became highly anxious when flying solo. He overcame that difficulty by taking his dog along. You’ll have to make the call here, as long as it’s not a duck call. Bird dogs get excited by that.

Rod Machado is a flight instructor, author, educator, and speaker. A pilot since 1970 and a CFI since 1973, he has flown more than 8,000 hours and is part owner of a Cessna P210. Visit his Web site.