@@TheFinerPoints I hate to disagree, but a horse has a mind of its own, and they don't comply with your commands when you don't want to. Flying a plane is WAY MORE like driving a car than it is like riding a horse.
A way to consider what I'm saying: 5% of the time the horse won't respond to your inputs at all. Only way that can happen in a plane is if something is broken, and that only happens WAY LESS than 5% of the time lol..unless you're flying a 1950 seaplane
@@jonslg240 Well, yeah, we disagree but that's ok, I still like you 🙂. A plane has a mind of its own too and will "eat the grass" when you're not looking. Trust me, as a CFI, you'll get A LOT more mileage (ha) out of disconnecting the automobile from the mind of your students. I've been riding since I was 9 years old and teaching flying for the last 20 years -- the analogy has been very powerful for me. In a car when you take your foot off the gas, the car stops. In a car, you need constant inputs to keep it on the road. When a horse is running it's pretty much "hold on loosely and don't let go" with minor adjustments along the way -- that right there is worth the comparison but it goes a lot deeper.
@@jonslg240 I'd think of that like, you'll do what you need to to get the horse to comply, you're the boss, make it happen. It's the same in a plane. When turbulence rolls you and a subtle input won't get it back, make it happen.
Good joke but it actually re-ignited my passion for flying and i will pursue a pilots license, which has been my lifelong dream. Thank you Microsoft Flight Sim 2020
My instructor asked me, "Do you drive your car with that death grip?" I said that I usually only used two fingers. He said, "Great, do that here." As for level flying, he always preached flying smarter, not harder. Trim became my friend. As for the left-turning tendencies, I was trying to use the yoke instead of the rudder. He cured that in one minute. At times, as we were in the 150 and/or 172, I marveled at the fact that he was an old Vietnam era Navy A-6 Intruder pilot. He had the personality of a porcupine, but damn, he trained me well.
Wow. As a 40 year CFI and soon to be retired airline guy, I must say this is one of the best and most concise presentations I have seen. I wish I could communicate to students as effectively and to the point as this. Great job.
Can't wait to be able to get to you guys status. Been watching flight videos since the early 90s. King instructional and love what you do. Especially making sure we as wanna B's have a clear understanding. Thanks 👍
it also helps to stick the mic into your mouth, some of the amateurs just put it between their lips but for the best sound, inside the mouth is the best.
Penuts Thank you. 17-year-old son passed his private check ride yesterday. So excited. Looking forward to watching the next generation’s progressions from the sidelines. 😀
That whole "death grip" thing applies to cars too. In his memoirs the racing driver Fangio said he never won anything till a friend told him to hold the steering wheel just with a finger and thumb from each hand. Instantly his control of the car improved and he became a champion.
Same thing with dirtbikes, the bike will go where it wants to go, just like with everything else. You can power through mistakes with a death grip, but again that's with everything else as well.
@@echooutdoors2149 I'd say it's even more important on street bikes, in a way. A dirt bike kind of trains you pretty quick not to death grip the bars, but on a street bike you can ride for YEARS and not get the memo. But once something does go awry on the street, man does that death grip put you down fast. Rather than "powering through" the pothole or whatever, the death grip turns what would be a quick steering wiggle into a whole-bike death wobble that ends with you landing on your neck. I've had a couple wobbles that I just allowed to pass, which I'm absolutely sure would have been a crash if I hadn't started on the dirt and learned to go with the flow. Even with blown shocks on a vintage tractor, bikes usually do the right thing when you just leave them alone.
Yes, but you need to have a good hold of the wheel when you are on the track. I went to car racing school and they told me both hands on the 9 and 3 on the wheel. Hard to explain. But you had to have a good hold of the wheel to make the turn into the apex and out of the apex. You had to look ahead also.
@Echo Outdoors All bikes in general. Understanding the physics operating on every movement of the motorcycle, be it cruising, accelerating, braking, leaning, swerving, etc will help you command the bike to do what you want instead of fighting to force it. Obviously the type of bike and terrain plays a role too but the basics are the same.
I love how quick and to the point your videos are. I didn't have to watch you eat breakfast, drive to the airport, pump gas, check into a hotel room, nothing. Just jumped right into the topic.
Just found this channel. Love how there is a camera pointing at him that makes me feel like I'm actually in the plane and he's instructing me. The angle makes it look just like it really does during a flight lesson
When it comes to vehicle tutorials or instructions like these and using cameras, I find that people who put them in the passenger seat, or at least close to it, makes you feel more like you're there rather than just watching from afar. Definitely makes it more personal.
"Pitch Power and Trim, say it with me brothers and sisters. Like father, son and holy spirit, pitch power and trim." My flight instructor from 35 years ago still haunts me.
@@TheFinerPoints That's it, Jason. As soon as I get the RV-10 built, I'm coming out to Cali and stopping in PSP to say hello. Besides, I have family in Cali anyway.
Just found your videos and I believe I struck gold. I was a student pilot back in the late 70s, early 80s. Life got in the way and I had to stop just shy of my private. I also had 3 years at Embry Riddle followed by 30 years of enlisted aircrew in the National Guard. I joined a flying club recently and hope to become a flight instructor. At 61 I realize it's late in the game but some dreamed never die.
So I had a light bulb moment during my last flight. We've all heard "trim to relieve pressure" but it never really clicked to me until I released that death grip. Hold on loosely and feel what the airplane is telling you! I like the riding a horse analogy, on point!
I was the 700th "like". It has been a decade since I have piloted a plane. Discovered your channel today and have binge watched this morning and am finding myself sensing or rather remembering sensations of stalls, turns, etc. from just watching. Thank you.
I've just started my PPL journey. On the first flight, my CFI told me to use throttle to control altitude, and yoke to control speed. Completely changed my understanding and flight controlling. Even in MSFS, my flying dramatically improved.
Think of it as energy management. The plane has the kind of energy: speed, altitude and fuel. You lose energy due to drag, you gain energy by refueling (or possibly from a strong updraft giving you altitude). The engine concerts the energy stored in the fuel into thrust. If the thrust exactly matches the drag, the plane will fly level. If it exceeds the drag, it will either accelerate or climb. Since you pitch for speed, the plane will accelerate a bit, then start climbing. Same for approach and landing. You slowly bleed off energy in the form of altitude and airspeed until you touch down.
I'm a "that guy" in tip 2..... Glad to finally know what I've been not doing correctly! Also I think you should do a systems review! I also always thought the big fan on the front of the aircraft was to pull us through the air (thrust) and create a relative wind over the wings.... I was informed by a senior pilot friend in his 70's that was not correct. Its actually the aircraft's air conditioning system, I implored him for an explanation! He simply said regardless of the outside air temp (January or August). When that big fan in the front stops in flight the pilot starts to sweat! 🤔😂
As Steve Hay, one of Australia’s finest woodworkers says, “Don’t do it till you get it right, do it till you can’t get it wrong”. Great tips as usual mate, thank you for your wisdom and great work, 11 out of 10 😎👍
Thanks for the tips, I just had my first flight today and thanks to you the instructor said something like "you don't fly like a new student" referring to me not having a death grip on the yoke!
Congrats Ben! That's huge. You should consider joining our CFI Club (you get free access to our Ground School app -- www.learnthefinerpoints.com/Ground-School) -- send us an email at support@learnthefinerpointscom. I appreciate your comment, thanks!
Instructor is the one who really makes you perfect, I really enjoy my journey with my instructor, I have passed my checkride. Thank you for your three basics.
Excellent presentation! After many years as a B727-200 flight engineer, I have decided to go full blown flight training for my commercial license package. Your tutorial was great! Thansk a lot!
62 here, and don't intend to fly, but love this short INFORMATIVE clip! Disorientation crashes I have seen seem to show a fair amount of peeps NOT using the Lindbergh View, so it can't be stressed enough.
For tip #2 my CFI taught us the acronym PAST: Power, Attitude, Speed and Trim. Levelling out of a climb would be slightly different (APST), but it’s still quite a handy acronym to remember for starting a climb as well as starting and levelling out of a descent
I started flying with my fingers from day 1 because my dad told me to do that when I started driving years earlier. Piece of cake and you have a good feel of the airplane.
The Finer Points, Hah! Great vid though. As I throw a pencil to my new students, I always wonder “who came up with that idea?”, but it really does help them ease up on their controls
4:22 - That's quite an interesting point actually, the way my flight school and how many flight schools in Australia learn it is using an acronym called AASPT Anticipate - your levelling off altitude by 50ft Attitude - 1/3 Ground - 2/3 Sky, Straight and level attitude Speed - Let the speed build-up to cruise speed Power - Bring it back to the cruise power Trim - As required
A year late to the party, but I was scrolling through the comments wondering how no one got the 38 Special reference. Keep up the great work, I'm at 400 hours and I still learn stuff from you once in a while.
Best thing about msfs2020 is that it’s taught me exactly what he explained with trim and acceleration to perfectly control the plane without using much yoke.
@@ThePrimeMinisterOfTheBlock Keyboard and also Xbox controller both are weird. Keyboard locks your last input in place, and the controller returns the yoke to neutral WAY to quickly and it's way too sensitive and there's not way to chance Right Analog sensitivity. Still I somehow landed the 747 on my first attempt
Soooo.... flying a plane is a bit like riding a horse.... but also while listening to a "38 Special" song! Love your instructions and tips Jason! They're excellent! May you always be ahead of the plane... and weather!
Great tips! You weren’t joking about all 3. I had issues with death grip first 2 lessons then started using finger tips, so helpful. They other 2 I’m still working on. Only 8.0 hours deep but loving all the maneuvers I’m learning!
3 great tips. I had 2 different CFI's during my training. The 1st one, although was a great-experienced pilot, didn't have great communication skills. I was always a little on edge with him. He taught me much but my 2nd CFI, got me to relax and land confidently. You explain things very clearly and easy to grasp. I have over 400 hours now but, still enjoy your tips for refreshing my brain to the very important basics. 👍
Glad I'm not the only who experienced this. Currently trying to see if I can switch instructors coz my current one is like your first. Unfortunately, it's kind of hard due to other instructors schedule 🥲
@@mt9021 if you are at all uncomfortable with your current CFI, make it happen. You need to find someone that's going to make you feel confident. And the dialogue between the both of you needs to be right on. There's a lot to absorb in flying. Some of these older guys get frustrated when you don't quite get it the first time. Maybe it's because I was older as well, and fairly intelligent. But I felt I was under the gun constantly. It took the fun away, and it made it harder to learn. That just starts an avalanche of trouble.
During cruise flight, your primary flight control is trim. You will be regularly adjusting trim to maintain constant altitude as your plane’s balance changes due to fuel consumption. To maintain constant altitude, I frequently check the VSI (vertical speed indicator) and trim the plane to help keep it at zero with zero grip force. On bumpy days you have to accept some fluctuations in altitude. But on smooth days, its quite easy to maintain constant altitude this way.
I developed some bad trim habits with my training aircraft because it had no fairings, and Vy was very close to level cruise speed. If you have access to different aircraft, try flying something a bit more capable with a constant speed prop and cowl flaps, basically something that cruises at a different speed than it climbs. After initially leveling off with elevator and trim, the plane will continue to accelerate in level flight and you'll have to retrim several times to keep from climbing hands off-- watch the VSI for an early indication this is happening. If the aircraft is trimmed correctly for level flight with the cowl flaps open, you can watch the VSI as it loses drag and again starts a slow climb once you close the cowl flaps. Think about why that's happening. It's very good practice, and will break you of this bad habit quickly.
In Canada we are trained to remember APT for climbing, and I found it very helpful. When entering into the clime, first adjust Attitude, then add Power, and finally Trim nose up. When leveling off, we do APT again, but trim the other way.
Finger has you pointing at the altimeter if I'm correct and I clicked thinking that's really basic and if it's things like that I'll probably know all 3. Turned out it was not things like that, instead really good tips. Thank you for this video! Can't wait to have money someday and be able to fly
Thank you for making this, I made all these mistakes on my first flight today. I really need to work on controlling my pitch, power and trim management. I think I will do a little better on my next flight now.
*Instructors everywhere and students alike thank you! I’ve only just started flying with the 2 fingers grip at around 80 flight hours, and during my Instrument training! Much too late, but at least I eventually learned!* 😂
I tried it only 15 hours in a trainer and was told to use both hands; Was not long I discontinued training; Most accomplished pilot skill is when to say no; The Old Bold pilots that live are the one's who can say No! No! *boldy*
You can do it! It just takes a lot of work, but its worth it in the end if its your dream. I spent 5 years total in the oilfield saving money for my training, and now have a great career in aviation at 33. My education funds were zero out of highschool and I came from a lower income family.
I have never flown an aircraft before. nor have I been in the front seat of any aircraft.. I have flown in the rear of larger planes but never in front. I will say this as someone wanting to get my commercial license to fly.. I bought MFS and have a 700$ flight sim control setup coming in the mail and have flown in VR with controls and have always worried how hard its going to be to fly in RL because of the difficulty flying in VR. For example, Leveling off in the real work (like you have done) and the ability to maintain level and heading accurately with no big issues compared to the simulator is day and night! it is incredibly hard to maintain level settings in a simulator without the use of AP.. Seeing you level and maintain ALT has given me a HUGE confidence booster in my abilities to fly an aircraft in RL in the future.. Thank you!
At SCFC a simple way that I was taught regarding leveling off. To start a climb or descent, it's power then pitch (to let the nose rise or fall). To stop a climb, it's pitch then power (to let the airspeed build up). And to stop a descent, it's pitch then power but it's a bit more simultaneous so that your airspeed doesn't drop.
my instructor had me do that too 35yrs ago, quickly learned to use only 3 fingers. he also said don't think about moving the controls just add a little pressure in the direction you need it.
So glad I watched this before my discovery flight..Told myself I wouldn't white-knuckle the yoke. Well, also didn't anticipate 16mph winds blowing me all over hell. My hands were sore afterwards.
The Finer Points good point. When levelling off, nose forward to get the attitude (I call it the ‘sight picture’), keep an eye on the airspeed (90 kts in a PA28), then reduce power to cruise (2200 rpm), then trim. Glad I found your channel, cheers from 🇬🇧
(not a pilot. just really really loving the new ms Flight sim and bush flying the cubs in game. got like 30min flying time irl) that trim tip is probably one of the most useful things i've ever learnt about flying so far. 10/10. will tell my friends who dont fly but got the game as well. Thanks.
I mastered the light stick grip early; one of Cecelia Aragon's instructors paid me a compliment about it when getting some Pitts instruction many years ago, and that compliment stuck with me. What I need to work on now is that I tend to preload the rudder pedals without knowing it; trying to break that habit. Once I'm flying my RV-8 I'll need to do that to keep the slack out of the rudder cables, but in a C-172 or DA40 it's a bad habit.
You’ll find that just the weight of your feet resting on the rudder pedals is enough to take the slack out of the rudder control cables… it’s not even a conscious action.
As a former equipment operator, I learned to handle the controls very loosely. Hydraulics love a light touch, otherwise they tend to rattle and bang and generally be very uncomfortable for the driver and noisy for all bystanders. It gets to the point where most equipment operators I know (and myself as well) use a joystick by holding the very top of it with 3-4 fingertips. Often, the main body of the stick, the part you're actually expected to hold on to, will never be touched by operators trying to gain a little more precision by holding the tip of the stick.
I havent had an official lession yet but took a ride along in our cfi friend's 172 and he was very impressed on how light i was holding the yoke thanks to this video . Now i gotta see if it works in DCS for in flight refueling lmao
Just started my PPL and everything you discussed in the video I am currently working on. Getting level trimmed flight and learning my site picture out the window without relying on my instruments. I have realized that left turns are different than right and I usually have to add a little back pressure to keep the nose from dropping. I don't have the issue on right turns. I am also learning to not use the death grip. As this was only my second flight I have already started to improve and am learning to not fight the plane. It can be tiring if you do it for an hour!
Hi Trent! Love the videos! You're always making great content! I'm getting ready to start instrument training in a couple weeks, and using your videos (among others) to get a head start!
just got my private pilot license my instructor has been saying the same things to me I've gotten good on the P factor during climb but the climbing after takeoff and death grip could use some work. I will be tying these.
Fully concur. Never had that problem when I started learning to fly. I fly the way I drive, and it’s pretty much with finger tips. I wouldn’t refer to the death group as an f-16 death group though, as the f-16 sidestick is force sensitive and is flown the same way as explained in the video.
My RV-8 has a joystick. During cruise, I hold the stick grip like I would hold a glass of wine. But in order to do this, it’s vital to keep the plane in trim, both in pitch and roll. As the RV-8 is a low-wing airplane, I have to alternate between right and left fuel tanks every 30 minutes which affects roll trim. When in perfect trim you should be able to take your hands completely off the stick/yoke.
I really like the pen trick! I had a death grip in my early hours, it was a habit that was hard to break. Now studying my instructor rating I may use this trick, so thank you.
I like your videos and your tips more than many, many others; you have a distinct way of hitting the nail on the head - so-to-speak - squarely which I can respect and admire. I've been flying regularly for fifty years (anniversary in October 2020), in GA and airline work with almost 30,000 hours logged in a vast array of aircraft, and I see that you teach like we learned back then from the old-timers. I especially acclaim the emphasis, the importance, and the dominance which you place on an airplane's rudder; I dig what you're sayin'... Yes, I'm still learning and checking and rechecking on procedures and techniques often as I am, to this day, continually engaged in flying high-performance aircraft for a living - Merlin IIIs right now. I hope you will carry on with these videos and your teaching methods. I'll keep watching.
Thank you. It's great to hear that from someone with so much experience. I am really trying to bring forward some of that "old timer" tribal knowledge and make sure we don't lose it in the age of glass!
Always enjoy your podcast as well Jason. I’m not a pilot yet, but it’s always been a dream of mine. You should still rock the guitar in the intro! Anyways, thanks again for all the info bud. Take care.
In my first and only flight, when I did my first turn left, I kept the altitude. After that flight instructor allowed me do low speed flying, 60° bank turns, etc xD He almost let me land the plane. I had the privilege though, to experience the sensation of a Cessna 206 for countless hours with my father (he's a bush pilot) and many hours of flight simulator.
i have had students who thought they landed the plane on their first flight. their sensory overload is so overwhelming they don't realize they could not possibly land a plane. they found out on the next lesson when they realized entirely on their own when they were allowed to see they would crash without some training.
Oh hay, RUclips brought you back to me! I was listening to your TFP podcast a decade ago while I got my PPL. These days I only fly FPV quads. The crashes hurt a lot less.
Gonna use this info when I start flight training soon. Feel like the 1st one will come naturally as that is how I drive, but the 2nd one I think will need to come with some experience and some feeling it out
I never flew the powered aircraft, but I learned very light grip on the stick flying gliders. In glider, it helps 'feeling the air', but more importantly, when situation is serious, it prevents pulling the stick and stalling, when having such grip. It is said such grip is responsible for many low level stalls.
this definitely is filling the missing part in all other pilot training videos. 50.9K subscribers only? i just subscribed. way to go mr awesome instructor. i gotta watch this again to sink in the wisdom.
Great video. The problem with leveling off is something I struggle with so can't wait to try this. Thank you for the tips. Also, other comments, really appreciate the insight from other pilots as well.
And if you find yourself patting the dash and saying "Easy Big Fella" maybe you took the horse scenario just a bit too serious. LOL! As always Jason, Just fantastic finer points here. I remember the first time I took the controls, even before I was actually a student, I didn't even know about trim yet. I found myself fighting the airplane and I thought , wow! this flying is really tough to master.
The link for the Ground School
Doesn’t work
Thanks - please try again it’s fixed now www.learnthefinerpoints.com/ground-school
@@TheFinerPoints I hate to disagree, but a horse has a mind of its own, and they don't comply with your commands when you don't want to.
Flying a plane is WAY MORE like driving a car than it is like riding a horse.
A way to consider what I'm saying: 5% of the time the horse won't respond to your inputs at all.
Only way that can happen in a plane is if something is broken, and that only happens WAY LESS than 5% of the time lol..unless you're flying a 1950 seaplane
@@jonslg240 Well, yeah, we disagree but that's ok, I still like you 🙂. A plane has a mind of its own too and will "eat the grass" when you're not looking. Trust me, as a CFI, you'll get A LOT more mileage (ha) out of disconnecting the automobile from the mind of your students. I've been riding since I was 9 years old and teaching flying for the last 20 years -- the analogy has been very powerful for me. In a car when you take your foot off the gas, the car stops. In a car, you need constant inputs to keep it on the road. When a horse is running it's pretty much "hold on loosely and don't let go" with minor adjustments along the way -- that right there is worth the comparison but it goes a lot deeper.
@@jonslg240 I'd think of that like, you'll do what you need to to get the horse to comply, you're the boss, make it happen. It's the same in a plane. When turbulence rolls you and a subtle input won't get it back, make it happen.
Im trying to impress my AI flight instructor in Microsoft Flight Sim 2020.
Nice. Good one man.
Lol same
same fam
Good joke but it actually re-ignited my passion for flying and i will pursue a pilots license, which has been my lifelong dream. Thank you Microsoft Flight Sim 2020
SolidMGSnake same
My instructor asked me, "Do you drive your car with that death grip?" I said that I usually only used two fingers. He said, "Great, do that here." As for level flying, he always preached flying smarter, not harder. Trim became my friend. As for the left-turning tendencies, I was trying to use the yoke instead of the rudder. He cured that in one minute. At times, as we were in the 150 and/or 172, I marveled at the fact that he was an old Vietnam era Navy A-6 Intruder pilot. He had the personality of a porcupine, but damn, he trained me well.
Curious what is porcupine personality
I am highly offended, speaking as a porcupine.
@@drushkyy2017 Prickly
and did he also bang on the side of the plane and ask you, "Hey you hear that? It's the BALL TRYING TO GET BACK IN THE PLANE!"
Describe the instructor’s personality as that of a porcupine, yet your last name is Quillen….👀
🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♀️
Wow. As a 40 year CFI and soon to be retired airline guy, I must say this is one of the best and most concise presentations I have seen. I wish I could communicate to students as effectively and to the point as this. Great job.
Thank you! It means a lot to hear that especially from experienced pilots.
Can't wait to be able to get to you guys status. Been watching flight videos since the early 90s. King instructional and love what you do. Especially making sure we as wanna B's have a clear understanding.
Thanks 👍
it also helps to stick the mic into your mouth, some of the amateurs just put it between their lips but for the best sound, inside the mouth is the best.
Wish you a happy retirement. It’s a hard career. Lot of respect for you guys man.
Penuts Thank you. 17-year-old son passed his private check ride yesterday. So excited. Looking forward to watching the next generation’s progressions from the sidelines. 😀
That whole "death grip" thing applies to cars too.
In his memoirs the racing driver Fangio said he never won anything till a friend told him to hold the steering wheel just with a finger and thumb from each hand. Instantly his control of the car improved and he became a champion.
Same thing with dirtbikes, the bike will go where it wants to go, just like with everything else. You can power through mistakes with a death grip, but again that's with everything else as well.
@@echooutdoors2149 I'd say it's even more important on street bikes, in a way. A dirt bike kind of trains you pretty quick not to death grip the bars, but on a street bike you can ride for YEARS and not get the memo. But once something does go awry on the street, man does that death grip put you down fast. Rather than "powering through" the pothole or whatever, the death grip turns what would be a quick steering wiggle into a whole-bike death wobble that ends with you landing on your neck. I've had a couple wobbles that I just allowed to pass, which I'm absolutely sure would have been a crash if I hadn't started on the dirt and learned to go with the flow. Even with blown shocks on a vintage tractor, bikes usually do the right thing when you just leave them alone.
Yes, but you need to have a good hold of the wheel when you are on the track. I went to car racing school and they told me both hands on the 9 and 3 on the wheel. Hard to explain. But you had to have a good hold of the wheel to make the turn into the apex and out of the apex. You had to look ahead also.
@Echo Outdoors All bikes in general. Understanding the physics operating on every movement of the motorcycle, be it cruising, accelerating, braking, leaning, swerving, etc will help you command the bike to do what you want instead of fighting to force it. Obviously the type of bike and terrain plays a role too but the basics are the same.
@@kimberlywentworth9160 yeahhhh i agree, idt that'd work racing. that shit wears out your forearms sometimes
I love how quick and to the point your videos are. I didn't have to watch you eat breakfast, drive to the airport, pump gas, check into a hotel room, nothing. Just jumped right into the topic.
Just found this channel. Love how there is a camera pointing at him that makes me feel like I'm actually in the plane and he's instructing me. The angle makes it look just like it really does during a flight lesson
When it comes to vehicle tutorials or instructions like these and using cameras, I find that people who put them in the passenger seat, or at least close to it, makes you feel more like you're there rather than just watching from afar. Definitely makes it more personal.
I can't even drive a car and this comes in my recommendation.
RP-FA TV do you use a simulator?
@@TheFinerPoints no ez
RP-FA TV weird. maybe the algorithm thinks you need a new hobby 😜
@@TheFinerPoints The youtube algorithm are one of the most mysterious thing on earth.
I took off and landed a Cessna before I got my drivers permit.
"Pitch Power and Trim, say it with me brothers and sisters. Like father, son and holy spirit, pitch power and trim." My flight instructor from 35 years ago still haunts me.
Saving this one!!
Who else had the .38 Special song playing in their head with "hold on loosely but don't let go"?
Check Six Aviation me. Every time.
@@TheFinerPoints That's it, Jason. As soon as I get the RV-10 built, I'm coming out to Cali and stopping in PSP to say hello.
Besides, I have family in Cali anyway.
Love your videos Jason. Thank you for what you do. You without a doubt have helped make me a better pilot.
"If you cling to tightly, you might lose control."
Totally!
Just found your videos and I believe I struck gold. I was a student pilot back in the late 70s, early 80s. Life got in the way and I had to stop just shy of my private. I also had 3 years at Embry Riddle followed by 30 years of enlisted aircrew in the National Guard. I joined a flying club recently and hope to become a flight instructor. At 61 I realize it's late in the game but some dreamed never die.
Never too late! Hi m glad you found us 🙌
It's not late in the game for those who will flourish under your instruction. Hats off to you Sir!
Thanks mate. At a crossroads and needed a steer
So I had a light bulb moment during my last flight. We've all heard "trim to relieve pressure" but it never really clicked to me until I released that death grip. Hold on loosely and feel what the airplane is telling you! I like the riding a horse analogy, on point!
Bang-on 👍
I was the 700th "like". It has been a decade since I have piloted a plane. Discovered your channel today and have binge watched this morning and am finding myself sensing or rather remembering sensations of stalls, turns, etc. from just watching. Thank you.
I've just started my PPL journey. On the first flight, my CFI told me to use throttle to control altitude, and yoke to control speed. Completely changed my understanding and flight controlling.
Even in MSFS, my flying dramatically improved.
Think of it as energy management. The plane has the kind of energy: speed, altitude and fuel. You lose energy due to drag, you gain energy by refueling (or possibly from a strong updraft giving you altitude). The engine concerts the energy stored in the fuel into thrust. If the thrust exactly matches the drag, the plane will fly level. If it exceeds the drag, it will either accelerate or climb. Since you pitch for speed, the plane will accelerate a bit, then start climbing.
Same for approach and landing. You slowly bleed off energy in the form of altitude and airspeed until you touch down.
I'm a "that guy" in tip 2..... Glad to finally know what I've been not doing correctly!
Also I think you should do a systems review! I also always thought the big fan on the front of the aircraft was to pull us through the air (thrust) and create a relative wind over the wings.... I was informed by a senior pilot friend in his 70's that was not correct. Its actually the aircraft's air conditioning system, I implored him for an explanation! He simply said regardless of the outside air temp (January or August). When that big fan in the front stops in flight the pilot starts to sweat! 🤔😂
As Steve Hay, one of Australia’s finest woodworkers says, “Don’t do it till you get it right, do it till you can’t get it wrong”. Great tips as usual mate, thank you for your wisdom and great work, 11 out of 10 😎👍
the 2nd tip is probably the best piece of aviation advice I've ever recieved
Thanks for the tips, I just had my first flight today and thanks to you the instructor said something like "you don't fly like a new student" referring to me not having a death grip on the yoke!
Student pilot here - can totally relate to the "one finger underneath" pain during my earlier parts of training 😂
How about doing a 4 G, negative dive (ideally with a Mig 28 if you can find one)
I would think that impresses the IP a lot more.
I would assume that you don t know what youvare doing and yell at you very loudly i think.
Only if you’re inverted.
@@AuxenceF whoosh
By Mig 28 you mean an F5, right? There's no MiG-28 in the real world.
Dan Slotea it’s a reference to the movie topgun.
Level Off = ASP(T): Attitude, Speed, Power then Trim. Climb and Descent = P.A.S.T: Power, Attitude, Speed, Trim
Earlier this month I received my CFI rating. Your videos have been a huge motivation during my CFI training. Thank you for doing what you do, Jason.
Congrats Ben! That's huge. You should consider joining our CFI Club (you get free access to our Ground School app -- www.learnthefinerpoints.com/Ground-School) -- send us an email at support@learnthefinerpointscom. I appreciate your comment, thanks!
Just did my first solo today had to come back here to say thanks for the vids!
Instructor is the one who really makes you perfect, I really enjoy my journey with my instructor, I have passed my checkride. Thank you for your three basics.
Excellent presentation! After many years as a B727-200 flight engineer, I have decided to go full blown flight training for my commercial license package. Your tutorial was great! Thansk a lot!
62 here, and don't intend to fly, but love this short INFORMATIVE clip! Disorientation crashes I have seen seem to show a fair amount of peeps NOT using the Lindbergh View, so it can't be stressed enough.
He has a stripper pole in his Cessna, dope
LMAO i was thinking similar, going ''what the hell is that for??'' 'wait, no, no, never-mind, i dont wanna know'' rofl
@@Shannonbarnesdr1 where is it?
For tip #2 my CFI taught us the acronym PAST: Power, Attitude, Speed and Trim. Levelling out of a climb would be slightly different (APST), but it’s still quite a handy acronym to remember for starting a climb as well as starting and levelling out of a descent
I started flying with my fingers from day 1 because my dad told me to do that when I started driving years earlier. Piece of cake and you have a good feel of the airplane.
F-16s don’t actually require a “death grip”, but we understand what you mean.
👍🙌I’m going to switch that analogy. Maybe a “DC-3 death grip” ... still doesn’t sounds as good tho
The Finer Points, Hah! Great vid though. As I throw a pencil to my new students, I always wonder “who came up with that idea?”, but it really does help them ease up on their controls
DC-3s flew themselves.
Earl Barker perhaps but I have a bit of DC-3 time and you must admit, they are heavy on the controls
I was going to say, the F-16 is probably the last plane you'd ever want to death-grip because of that non-moving pressure sensitive stick.
4:22 - That's quite an interesting point actually, the way my flight school and how many flight schools in Australia learn it is using an acronym called AASPT
Anticipate - your levelling off altitude by 50ft
Attitude - 1/3 Ground - 2/3 Sky, Straight and level attitude
Speed - Let the speed build-up to cruise speed
Power - Bring it back to the cruise power
Trim - As required
Harry Barodawala Sounds like another acronym that you need an acronym just to remember what it means.
Yes, I learned it that way too, without acronym tho
A year late to the party, but I was scrolling through the comments wondering how no one got the 38 Special reference. Keep up the great work, I'm at 400 hours and I still learn stuff from you once in a while.
Best thing about msfs2020 is that it’s taught me exactly what he explained with trim and acceleration to perfectly control the plane without using much yoke.
Are you using the keyboard to control trim or some other peripheral? I find the keyboard controls arent very good
@@ThePrimeMinisterOfTheBlock Keyboard and also Xbox controller both are weird. Keyboard locks your last input in place, and the controller returns the yoke to neutral WAY to quickly and it's way too sensitive and there's not way to chance Right Analog sensitivity. Still I somehow landed the 747 on my first attempt
These 3 tips were the ones my two instructors insisted the most about.
Same here. My instructor had me flying with just two fingers on the corner of the yoke.
Tip #2 rocks, thanks Jason
Soooo.... flying a plane is a bit like riding a horse.... but also while listening to a "38 Special" song! Love your instructions and tips Jason! They're excellent! May you always be ahead of the plane... and weather!
Great tips! You weren’t joking about all 3. I had issues with death grip first 2 lessons then started using finger tips, so helpful. They other 2 I’m still working on. Only 8.0 hours deep but loving all the maneuvers I’m learning!
3 great tips. I had 2 different CFI's during my training. The 1st one, although was a great-experienced pilot, didn't have great communication skills. I was always a little on edge with him. He taught me much but my 2nd CFI, got me to relax and land confidently. You explain things very clearly and easy to grasp. I have over 400 hours now but, still enjoy your tips for refreshing my brain to the very important basics. 👍
Glad I'm not the only who experienced this. Currently trying to see if I can switch instructors coz my current one is like your first. Unfortunately, it's kind of hard due to other instructors schedule 🥲
@@mt9021 if you are at all uncomfortable with your current CFI, make it happen. You need to find someone that's going to make you feel confident. And the dialogue between the both of you needs to be right on. There's a lot to absorb in flying. Some of these older guys get frustrated when you don't quite get it the first time. Maybe it's because I was older as well, and fairly intelligent. But I felt I was under the gun constantly. It took the fun away, and it made it harder to learn. That just starts an avalanche of trouble.
During cruise flight, your primary flight control is trim. You will be regularly adjusting trim to maintain constant altitude as your plane’s balance changes due to fuel consumption. To maintain constant altitude, I frequently check the VSI (vertical speed indicator) and trim the plane to help keep it at zero with zero grip force. On bumpy days you have to accept some fluctuations in altitude. But on smooth days, its quite easy to maintain constant altitude this way.
Thank you Sir, always helping our community to level up! Have a nice day!
The number 2 point is me every time. I will try your tip next time.
I developed some bad trim habits with my training aircraft because it had no fairings, and Vy was very close to level cruise speed. If you have access to different aircraft, try flying something a bit more capable with a constant speed prop and cowl flaps, basically something that cruises at a different speed than it climbs. After initially leveling off with elevator and trim, the plane will continue to accelerate in level flight and you'll have to retrim several times to keep from climbing hands off-- watch the VSI for an early indication this is happening. If the aircraft is trimmed correctly for level flight with the cowl flaps open, you can watch the VSI as it loses drag and again starts a slow climb once you close the cowl flaps. Think about why that's happening. It's very good practice, and will break you of this bad habit quickly.
In Canada we are trained to remember APT for climbing, and I found it very helpful. When entering into the clime, first adjust Attitude, then add Power, and finally Trim nose up. When leveling off, we do APT again, but trim the other way.
Love the 38 Special reference!
Finger has you pointing at the altimeter if I'm correct and I clicked thinking that's really basic and if it's things like that I'll probably know all 3. Turned out it was not things like that, instead really good tips. Thank you for this video! Can't wait to have money someday and be able to fly
Thank you for making this, I made all these mistakes on my first flight today. I really need to work on controlling my pitch, power and trim management. I think I will do a little better on my next flight now.
althought thee best form of travel i have is A1 bike, its nice to see you giving tips here to the people that fly
2:31 Yes Sir, you're absolutely right. Just like they used to say in WW2 times: "You have the word". 👍
#2 is my big problem. Can't wait to try it out. As they say, you only trim the plane once: all the time. Thank you!
*Instructors everywhere and students alike thank you! I’ve only just started flying with the 2 fingers grip at around 80 flight hours, and during my Instrument training! Much too late, but at least I eventually learned!* 😂
I tried it only 15 hours in a trainer and was told to use both hands;
Was not long I discontinued training;
Most accomplished pilot skill is when to say no;
The Old Bold pilots that live are the one's who can say No! No! *boldy*
*Me, watching this intently knowing damn well I'm too poor to get my pilot's license*
We are what we think we deserve. Visualize it and go after it. You can get whatever you want, the secret is deciding what that is. Good luck, friend.
Ramsey Adam Clark how that been working for ya
You can do it! It just takes a lot of work, but its worth it in the end if its your dream. I spent 5 years total in the oilfield saving money for my training, and now have a great career in aviation at 33. My education funds were zero out of highschool and I came from a lower income family.
Im 16 and my family is definitely not middle class, but im goin for it, and Ill get there, you should do the same if thats what you want
Join the airforce. It’s free :)
I have never flown an aircraft before. nor have I been in the front seat of any aircraft.. I have flown in the rear of larger planes but never in front. I will say this as someone wanting to get my commercial license to fly..
I bought MFS and have a 700$ flight sim control setup coming in the mail and have flown in VR with controls and have always worried how hard its going to be to fly in RL because of the difficulty flying in VR.
For example, Leveling off in the real work (like you have done) and the ability to maintain level and heading accurately with no big issues compared to the simulator is day and night! it is incredibly hard to maintain level settings in a simulator without the use of AP..
Seeing you level and maintain ALT has given me a HUGE confidence booster in my abilities to fly an aircraft in RL in the future.. Thank you!
bring back memory's of my training days back in the 90's...
My CFI already thanks you - and we haven't flown yet since this video!!!
Just found your channel. Sorry I am late. Excellent stuff.
At SCFC a simple way that I was taught regarding leveling off. To start a climb or descent, it's power then pitch (to let the nose rise or fall). To stop a climb, it's pitch then power (to let the airspeed build up). And to stop a descent, it's pitch then power but it's a bit more simultaneous so that your airspeed doesn't drop.
i dont know about my CFI .. but I am definitely thanking you for this video. especially for No 3.
Boy, you’re reminding me of things that dominated my mind 40 yrs ago. Nice
my instructor had me do that too 35yrs ago, quickly learned to use only 3 fingers. he also said don't think about moving the controls just add a little pressure in the direction you need it.
Its interesting your doing these demonstrations in the right seat versus the left seat.
So glad I watched this before my discovery flight..Told myself I wouldn't white-knuckle the yoke. Well, also didn't anticipate 16mph winds blowing me all over hell. My hands were sore afterwards.
Loved the level off after climb tips.
I’m going to be getting my pilots license next year, this is definitely useful info.
How did it go?
Teach me high altitude stuff on the way to key west..
To have lunch!
Erik was impressed!!!
Straight and level flight: Power, Attitude, Trim (for speed). Levelling off: Attitude (for S&L), Power (reduce), Trim (for speed). It’s ingrained.
Ben Hughes I like it! As long as you don’t pull power early - many do because of the control forces
The Finer Points good point. When levelling off, nose forward to get the attitude (I call it the ‘sight picture’), keep an eye on the airspeed (90 kts in a PA28), then reduce power to cruise (2200 rpm), then trim. Glad I found your channel, cheers from 🇬🇧
(not a pilot. just really really loving the new ms Flight sim and bush flying the cubs in game. got like 30min flying time irl)
that trim tip is probably one of the most useful things i've ever learnt about flying so far. 10/10. will tell my friends who dont fly but got the game as well. Thanks.
I mastered the light stick grip early; one of Cecelia Aragon's instructors paid me a compliment about it when getting some Pitts instruction many years ago, and that compliment stuck with me. What I need to work on now is that I tend to preload the rudder pedals without knowing it; trying to break that habit. Once I'm flying my RV-8 I'll need to do that to keep the slack out of the rudder cables, but in a C-172 or DA40 it's a bad habit.
You’ll find that just the weight of your feet resting on the rudder pedals is enough to take the slack out of the rudder control cables… it’s not even a conscious action.
I KNEW there was gonna be a tip in there about more right rudder!
As a former equipment operator, I learned to handle the controls very loosely. Hydraulics love a light touch, otherwise they tend to rattle and bang and generally be very uncomfortable for the driver and noisy for all bystanders. It gets to the point where most equipment operators I know (and myself as well) use a joystick by holding the very top of it with 3-4 fingertips. Often, the main body of the stick, the part you're actually expected to hold on to, will never be touched by operators trying to gain a little more precision by holding the tip of the stick.
I havent had an official lession yet but took a ride along in our cfi friend's 172 and he was very impressed on how light i was holding the yoke thanks to this video . Now i gotta see if it works in DCS for in flight refueling lmao
"Just hold on loosely, and dont let it goo" !
Hope y’all took notes, im about to hop in the sim and practice doing these to get used to it before I resume training
Just started my PPL and everything you discussed in the video I am currently working on. Getting level trimmed flight and learning my site picture out the window without relying on my instruments.
I have realized that left turns are different than right and I usually have to add a little back pressure to keep the nose from dropping. I don't have the issue on right turns.
I am also learning to not use the death grip. As this was only my second flight I have already started to improve and am learning to not fight the plane. It can be tiring if you do it for an hour!
THANK YOU for the tip about leveling off. That happens to me every time and I’m always having to waste time correcting it
Hi Trent! Love the videos! You're always making great content! I'm getting ready to start instrument training in a couple weeks, and using your videos (among others) to get a head start!
just got my private pilot license my instructor has been saying the same things to me I've gotten good on the P factor during climb but the climbing after takeoff and death grip could use some work. I will be tying these.
I just started my training at San Carlos, and this week I'll be flying in the same aircraft in the video! (N2370F)
awesome!
Fully concur. Never had that problem when I started learning to fly. I fly the way I drive, and it’s pretty much with finger tips.
I wouldn’t refer to the death group as an f-16 death group though, as the f-16 sidestick is force sensitive and is flown the same way as explained in the video.
I love the videos!! Such a great teacher and inspiration. What is the intro song?
Tommy Monroe thank you! That’s my buddy Michael in his home studio. He makes it all up and plays all the instruments. I’m a huge fan.
Thanks for the information, I went up in my first flight some days ago would of helped to know but I’m glad my cfi taught me in the air
🎶so hoold on looselyyy, but don't leg goOo. If you cliing too tiightlyyy, you're gonna loOose controOoOoll🎶
I saw what you did there and I love it
😊😜🙌🏻
My RV-8 has a joystick. During cruise, I hold the stick grip like I would hold a glass of wine. But in order to do this, it’s vital to keep the plane in trim, both in pitch and roll. As the RV-8 is a low-wing airplane, I have to alternate between right and left fuel tanks every 30 minutes which affects roll trim. When in perfect trim you should be able to take your hands completely off the stick/yoke.
I really like the pen trick! I had a death grip in my early hours, it was a habit that was hard to break. Now studying my instructor rating I may use this trick, so thank you.
Awesome video! Time to upgrade that GNS 430 to an Avidyne IFD440?
Please do a video about DERP in light aircraft.
Gonna tear it up in the 747 on MFS 2020 with this advice
Thanks, useful to me in my fifth hour of training.
Tip #2 is extremely helpful. Thank you!
I like your videos and your tips more than many, many others; you have a distinct way of hitting the nail on the head - so-to-speak - squarely which I can respect and admire. I've been flying regularly for fifty years (anniversary in October 2020), in GA and airline work with almost 30,000 hours logged in a vast array of aircraft, and I see that you teach like we learned back then from the old-timers. I especially acclaim the emphasis, the importance, and the dominance which you place on an airplane's rudder; I dig what you're sayin'... Yes, I'm still learning and checking and rechecking on procedures and techniques often as I am, to this day, continually engaged in flying high-performance aircraft for a living - Merlin IIIs right now. I hope you will carry on with these videos and your teaching methods. I'll keep watching.
Thank you. It's great to hear that from someone with so much experience. I am really trying to bring forward some of that "old timer" tribal knowledge and make sure we don't lose it in the age of glass!
Always enjoy your podcast as well Jason. I’m not a pilot yet, but it’s always been a dream of mine. You should still rock the guitar in the intro! Anyways, thanks again for all the info bud. Take care.
How to impress your flight instructor
Step 1: fly with no hands
In my first and only flight, when I did my first turn left, I kept the altitude. After that flight instructor allowed me do low speed flying, 60° bank turns, etc xD He almost let me land the plane. I had the privilege though, to experience the sensation of a Cessna 206 for countless hours with my father (he's a bush pilot) and many hours of flight simulator.
i have had students who thought they landed the plane on their first flight. their sensory overload is so overwhelming they don't realize they could not possibly land a plane. they found out on the next lesson when they realized entirely on their own when they were allowed to see they would crash without some training.
Oh hay, RUclips brought you back to me! I was listening to your TFP podcast a decade ago while I got my PPL.
These days I only fly FPV quads. The crashes hurt a lot less.
Gonna use this info when I start flight training soon. Feel like the 1st one will come naturally as that is how I drive, but the 2nd one I think will need to come with some experience and some feeling it out
thank you so much , a perfect video
I never flew the powered aircraft, but I learned very light grip on the stick flying gliders. In glider, it helps 'feeling the air', but more importantly, when situation is serious, it prevents pulling the stick and stalling, when having such grip. It is said such grip is responsible for many low level stalls.
Tip #2 was very helpful. Can't wait to put it into practice.
Awesome advise re-enforced. Everything you have mentioned is consistently being reinforced by my CFI Peter Kestle Sydney Flight Academy.
this definitely is filling the missing part in all other pilot training videos. 50.9K subscribers only? i just subscribed. way to go mr awesome instructor. i gotta watch this again to sink in the wisdom.
Thank you for those tips, I’ll definitely try them out
Great video. The problem with leveling off is something I struggle with so can't wait to try this. Thank you for the tips. Also, other comments, really appreciate the insight from other pilots as well.
And if you find yourself patting the dash and saying "Easy Big Fella" maybe you took the horse scenario just a bit too serious. LOL! As always Jason, Just fantastic finer points here. I remember the first time I took the controls, even before I was actually a student, I didn't even know about trim yet. I found myself fighting the airplane and I thought , wow! this flying is really tough to master.