Max talks with John Fiscus discuss about strategies for flight instructors when teaching in the traffic pattern. These tips are also useful for pilots flying by themselves. John highlights a common issue among new CFIs: teaching based on qualitative feelings rather than quantitative data. He emphasizes the importance of providing concrete numerical guidance to students. John introduces the concept that "energy equals time," stressing that the amount of energy (airspeed, power, altitude) affects reaction time, especially as the aircraft gets closer to the ground.
He also talks about the need for CFIs to balance allowing student mistakes with ensuring safety. John describes the different roles of an instructor: teacher, coach, and evaluator, and the importance of setting specific error tolerances at various traffic pattern stages. They also discuss practical techniques for being ready to take over controls without alarming students.
John also talks about the ever tightening tolerances he permits around the traffic pattern, before he steps in to intervene. Both Max and John emphasize continuous learning for CFIs, adapting teaching methods based on new insights, and fostering student independence while maintaining safety.
If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon.
Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets
Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk.
Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1199
Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $899
Lightspeed Sierra Headset $699
My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu
Send us your feedback or comments via email
If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question using your phone.
News Stories
Mentioned on the Show
Buy Max Trescott's G1000 Book Call 800-247-6553
Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553
Netflix: Pepsi, Where's My Jet?
Free Index to the first 282 episodes of Aviation New Talk
So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars
Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification
Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we'll make a couple of dollars if you do.
Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android.
Check out Max's Online Courses: G1000 VFR, G1000 IFR, and Flying WAAS & GPS Approaches. Find them all at: https://www.pilotlearning.com/
Social Media
Like Aviation News Talk podcast on Facebook
Follow Max on Instagram
Follow Max on Twitter
Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium
"Go Around" song used by permission of Ken Dravis; you can buy his music at kendravis.com
If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
