Pilots Talk Technique

Scared to use full flaps? Don't be!

On this week's episode, we'll talk about the common fallacies revolving around the use of flaps for landing.

Ever had to fly without trim because the instructor said it helps improve your handling and make you sharper? Let's find out if it really is necessary to use it.

Flying on your own for parts of your basic training is not a novelty or a bonus feature, it is a requirement. On this episode we'll tackle the different angles why some organizations won't let you perform solo flights, and why you should be insisting on receiving solo flights.

When handling emergencies, the ultimate goal is preservation of life. You can make an insurance claim on a wrecked airplane, but you can't have the insurer give you another meat suit. This is why we need to give increased importance in maintaining proficiency in handling abnormal conditions just as much as we do normal procedures. Schools of thought will vary with regard to how to train emergency procedures: the rote route, the visual route, or the analytical route. Whichever method you prefer, keep in mind that you should perform the actions with purpose and make sure the actions you take will have an effect in trying to mitigate the threat.

P1: Climb checklist, please. P2: Enroute climb: Airspeed? P1: 85 knots. P2: Check. Throttle? P1: Commencing initial power reduction. P2: INITIAL WHAT?! Welcome to episode 3 of Pilots Talk Technique where we'll take a not so deep dive on this industry wide procedure of reducing the power on a non-complex, non-high performance aircraft during climbout.

Before stepping into an airplane, whether for a routine local flight, traffic patterns, or a cross country, do you already have a plan of action for when bleep hits the fan? On today's episode of PTT, find out how you can include simple and efficient briefings to mentally prepare yourself, your co-crew, or your passengers for the unlikely event of an emergency in any phase of flight.

What better way to start off PTT than going back to basics and discussing such a critical item that all pilots should fully understand - angle of attack. Stick around to find out why pilots get confused with it and how it should be interpretted.