334 Making Flight Training Safer – Tips for CFIs and Pilots with John Fiscus + GA News Aviation News Talk podcast

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.

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