I had an idea that came to mind the other day that I thought would fit into this thread pretty well. I think a major focus area should be overall presentation of your flights. There is a major difference between someone that can do a lot of different maneuvers and someone who can put a quality flight together.
I think its very important to learn to control the aircraft very well throughout the entire flight instead of just while trying a manuever. Of course, still keep learning new maneuvers but focus on stringing current ones together and also just cleaning up your whole flight.
Here is a list of a few things that stand out to me when I see a quality flight.
1) Takeoffs and landings parallel to the runway, instead of just shooting out across the field.
2) A smooth takeoff, not dragging the rudder on the ground because you are pulling up to hard.
3) Smooth level turns
4)Taking advantage of turn around manuevers to get you headed down the runway again.
5) Try to fly a pattern ( not a race track pattern). Focus on flying straight down the runway, perpendicular to it, or 45 degrees to it.
6) Focus on smooth landings and really focus on smooth approaches.
By focusing on these simple things, your flights will look much better. Since you have more control over your airplane due to practicing this, 3D manuevers will also be a lot easier to learn.
I have seen quite a few pilots who I thought were exceptional pilots and I haven't ever seen them do rollers. Their overall flights are very clean and controlled and it leaves you with the feeling that they are great pilots even though you might never see them do roller, KE spins, blenders, ect...
This is an ask Joe question thread but I would love to hear what people have to say about this idea.
Joe
I think its very important to learn to control the aircraft very well throughout the entire flight instead of just while trying a manuever. Of course, still keep learning new maneuvers but focus on stringing current ones together and also just cleaning up your whole flight.
Here is a list of a few things that stand out to me when I see a quality flight.
1) Takeoffs and landings parallel to the runway, instead of just shooting out across the field.
2) A smooth takeoff, not dragging the rudder on the ground because you are pulling up to hard.
3) Smooth level turns
4)Taking advantage of turn around manuevers to get you headed down the runway again.
5) Try to fly a pattern ( not a race track pattern). Focus on flying straight down the runway, perpendicular to it, or 45 degrees to it.
6) Focus on smooth landings and really focus on smooth approaches.
By focusing on these simple things, your flights will look much better. Since you have more control over your airplane due to practicing this, 3D manuevers will also be a lot easier to learn.
I have seen quite a few pilots who I thought were exceptional pilots and I haven't ever seen them do rollers. Their overall flights are very clean and controlled and it leaves you with the feeling that they are great pilots even though you might never see them do roller, KE spins, blenders, ect...
This is an ask Joe question thread but I would love to hear what people have to say about this idea.
Joe
I think that if I put the time in to write a nice routine down on paper, and then practiced it, I could put together a pretty decent flight. But, I've never really put the work in to try it out. Probably should sometime.