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The very beginning of flight training is incredibly crucial because it is so foundational. On this flying lesson you get to witness me, a CFI, teaching a student pilot on his first official flight lesson.
David is already enrolled in online ground school, which is helping him with the process of learning. Otherwise he'd be drinking from the firehose. He already has experience with some paragliding and parasailing, which I think will help.
At first we go through a normal takeoff and initial climb. I let my flight students do this from the very beginning. He does a good job of that, with some areas of improvement.
After lifting off we quickly discuss attitude flying and how essential it is to everything we do in the air. By looking outside the airplane, you get a sense for where our 'attitude' is in relation to the horizon. This sight picture can be used to basically setup any phase of fly, and fly with precision.
As we climb, we eventually level off at our cruise altitude. I use the acronym APT for reaching cruise altitude. The APARTMENT (APT) is upstairs. So when you reach the 'upstairs' you do Attitude, Power, Trim, in that order.
Next we work on an elevator trim exercise. Flying an airplane should be done with a lite touch. Therefore, one needs to make regular and precise use of the trim wheel. It's hard to pick up on this at first, so doing an exercise of moving the trim wheel back and forth while maintaining the proper attitude is essential.
Following that we work on some turns. I show him some of the flaws and errors while turning, including in this case, Adverse Yaw and the importance of rudder coordination.
Up next is another error called overbanking tendency. Not a lot of pilots know about this. It's when the airplane wants to keep going into a bank after a certain point, and to counteract the pilot must add some pressure in the opposite direction.
Next, my favorite part, a demonstration on energy. This is where we talk about angle of attack and how it relates to stalls. Also, what the pilot has to do in case of a stall, and how the pilot is fully responsible for the stall.
After a great lesson in the practice area, we head back to the pattern and I go over a little intro of the pattern with David. It goes well. He gets to see the different legs of the pattern, hear some radio calls, and observe how stable an approach should be.
0:00 Intro
2:06 Normal Takeoff
3:07 Attitude Flying
4:32 Level Off at Cruise Altitude
5:47 Elevator Trim Exercise
8:47 Adverse Yaw
11:55 Overbanking Tendency
13:15 Angle of Attack & Stalls
19:28 Intro to the Traffic Pattern
23:35 Outtro
#flying #studentpilot #flighttraining

[@angleofattack]

Make sure to join the live chat during the premiere to enter to win some Merch!

[@cherriedee31]

Love the way you introduced trim and stalls. It’s like you taught respect for the airplane, aerodynamic forces, and measured confidence all while barely needing to mention any of the above. You’re a gifted teacher Chris!

[@angleofattack]

Thank you. I've had some practice. And these initial lessons are just so important.

[@brennenfitzgerald]

I never thought of it that way...... the airplane doesn’t stall.... the pilot stalls the airplane. That is absolutely right.

[@angleofattack]

I think so, too! But pretty sure I borrowed that from Stick and Rudder. Make sure you're subscribed!

[@matte1402]

You asked for suggested topics. I would love a video going over how to plan your pattern entry for a non-towered airport from various scenarios. For example, it's a 36 runway, left traffic pattern, and you're 20 miles SW of the field. Talk through how you would choose your entry and how you would modify your flight path. Then do 20 miles from a different direction, etc. If there's still time, maybe cover the typical pattern entry instructions you could get back from a control tower in a class D in various scenarios and how you might adjust your track minutes out to accommodate and plan.

[@angleofattack]

I had another pattern one coming along these lines, but I'll add this as another idea. Make sure to subscribe!

[@LakshmikanthKishorRabi]

Love that power off recovery from the power-on stall to demonstrate the wing finding the equilibrium between the centres of pressure and gravity.

[@JimmyTidmore]

Your instruction on adverse yaw was fantastic.

[@neilcole8158]

Don't wanna close the app, wanna click that bell, coz I'll miss you Chris. And I don't wanna miss a thing!

[@angleofattack]

Thanks man!

[@dbalint7]

This is great, Chris! Super helpful to student pilots as well as current pilots that would like to get a little back to basics refresher on things and/or just drool at what an amazing day for flying that looks like up in Homer!

[@nickhart5332]

Love the upstairs apt. phrase. As a student pilot I’ll be remembering that next time we practice stalls. Thanks for the info and the great video!

[@PascalStJean1]

Amazing video. About to start my first solo and these videos have been great

[@markmaccani9411]

Chris, Great video. Seen as I am just getting back to it after about a year break I will have to some of these a go.

[@bitlong4669]

Back to basics... great video. Thank you.

[@LeantoPeak]

Amazing view, and really cool video to watch. It reminded me of my beginnings... they're so far away now that I had forgotten about them completely! Cheers!

[@moxiepilot9209]

As a new CFI I enjoyed seeing your first flight with a new student. Just starting a new student this week! Thanks.

[@robertwren2289]

I liked that tension release face rub. It's a lot of work teaching people to do anything in life.

[@nicolettsmikle5470]

Wow what an amazing instructor, love how he forces you to become one with the plane. The first step in learning how to fly is trusting the aircraft. He does a very good job at letting the student know it’s made for flying and it will always try to find equilibrium even after a stall. I had issues with that. Wish I could fly with this guy one day. And hope to be as great as an instructor as him. CR nov 22 , Amazing Video

[@jamesrutherford9597]

Awesome job explaining things to your student.

[@keithrogers5832]

I've haven't seen a better way to introduce the rudder to a new pilot, I always jab and release jab and release and thought my instructor was standing on the left rudder. When I went thru my tailwheel endorsement and realized how that rudder could help on the landings then that jab of rudder came with a jab of power my landings became easier. Then I went back to the 172 and realized how lazy I was with the rudder in the nose gear aircraft. Keep up the good work Chris.

[@luckygamer05]

Just learned something new being 15 hours into my training. That sound at 17:16 is what I tend to hear a lot when landing, but only for a split second. Never really realized what it was till now.

[@angleofattack]

Glad we could connect the dots!

[@57eleven1]

Man, you’re the only one I see in Alaska or out west flying a 172 the tricycle gear as a bush plane. That’s very cool! Many would say only a tail dragger but you show them wrong. Inspires me. I want a 1956 172 and add bigger engine and big tires leaving the gear as is. Love it

[@aaronzeiger216]

You're video is very good and I can see your dedication to doing it right. Im a former CFII and tailwheel ag pilot along with a history of flying many different types of classic aircraft with very pronounced adverse yaw tendencies before they were largely designed out of more modern aircraft. I have seen a lot of new pilots struggle with rudder control. I think more focus that would be an excellent topic. Not everyone has access to less stable aircraft, but the rudder is more important than most students realize. Especially on crosswind landings. Great video! Really liked it. 👍

[@tywebb9879]

Great video Chris, to answer your question, I learned to fly back in 1975 at U of I. We never used headsets back then but I had some great instructors that really hammered on listen to the sounds. We even did a drill at night, panel dark, than climb, descend, and turn looking out and listening to the sounds. Still in my mind today, glad to see you using that technique.

[@hawaiiminded]

Love the videos. I am starting my private pilot license classes in January. I’ve been kinda studying ahead about general aviation stuff. I am curious about balance/weight/forward and aft CG, any videos on this topic would be cool! Just an idea. Thanks for all these videos, great teaching demeanor!

[@georgesmith651]

Learning how to react to certain flight conditions as a student pilot that I believe comes only with experience.

[@vegasaviation2243]

I’d love to watch a series in which this student progresses through his training with a new lesson each video. Thanks for the awesome content. Great information too!

[@angleofattack]

Great suggestion! I'm showing a lot of David's journey right now.

[@BroPilots]

Good info here! Love the stall demo when you were just listening to the sounds the airplane was making!

[@sarasiddiqui4120]

Haven't finished watching and already taking away so much, Chris!

[@angleofattack]

So happy to hear!

[@Aviate68]

Absolutely great video for training! You're a phenomenal and gifted teacher. Hope I'll be as great as you when I become a CFI, and not just someone in it for the time.

[@angleofattack]

Thank you. I work to always improve. And much of what I know is from others I've learned from. You can choose to be a great CFI! It's a choice.

[@Rilms12]

Listening while driving. Learning allll the CFI good stuff. 🤙🤙

[@angleofattack]

You'll do fantastic!

[@craig6603]

My answer to your question of "What's the one thing I want to know more about" is... I have a fear of slipping turns to reduce altitude when turning base to final. I'm a CPL and almost done my instructor rating and I know I shouldn't be afraid of doing this in the airplane, but I can't shake the feeling of a wing is going to stall so close to the ground. In my heart of hearts I know the airplane is going to keep flying but I just can't shake it.

[@MarkRyanAB]

Great channel. Thanks for producing this content!

[@Murphyalex]

07:06 - "Unfortunately, we set it perfectly", if ever there were a humblebrag! Jokes aside, great video. I've just done my eighth lesson and bits from each of mine were covered here, bringing it all nicely together. It's a lot of information for just one lesson. What a nice place to learn to fly!

[@AviatorMark]

Good student and great instruction. Always enjoy these type of videos. Fine work gentlemen.

[@Akash-yp7gp]

when it comes to skills, one of the skills still struggling with close to my commercial! the coordination and getting the automatic response of rudder with aileron. feeling when you are out of coordination!! more exercise and demonstration for that would be awesome. and next big skill would be how to always be aware of where the wind is blowing from, by feeling the drift or looking for clues etc.

[@Sean_Court]

Another great video Chris. Really enjoyed this official first flight training experience!

[@angleofattack]

Glad you enjoyed it! Make sure to subscribe!

[@markmaccani9411]

Chris, Great job on the video. Nice to see a little real live on training. You seem to do a great job with training and explaining. I am probably going to start my interment training once again after year break. Didn't feel much like it for awhile after losing my brother and our plane.

[@angleofattack]

That sounds really awful my friend. I hope you're doing well and can get back into it, if that's what's best for you.

[@billcummins9579]

excellent... I passed ground school years ago.. I mean like 30 years ago.... Now I have the money to learn to fly...I''m a teacher. so I can tell you're a good teacher as well. It looks like you need a lot more books for ground school now than you used too.

[@benholder2422]

I'd like to see a managing runway alignment and recognizing your 'impact point' or your landing aim point. I'm studying for my knowledge test and I'd love to better understand about getting well aligned from base to final and then managing your decent rate while maintaining your landing target.

[@FaizanKhanDev]

Awesome video with amazing views, thank you. Can you please make a video on what / how to practice on a flight sim to decrease the number of hours of training in a real airplane, i.e. bringing it closer to the minimum dual hours of required

[@jeremystrout23]

I'd like to see more about energy management for short field landings and takeoffs. As always, keep up the great work and thanks for the amazing content!

[@mytech6779]

Do you mean the checkride "short field landing" or real short field? Just clarifying because one is mainly about touching down on a target and the other is more about obstacle clearance and getting stopped.

[@garabato21]

Something I don't say often, "unfortunately we set it perfectly" wrt trim LOL Great video will share for sure!

[@mattsikorski4600]

First lesson video. Great idea!

[@angleofattack]

Glad you liked it!

[@moulik1990]

Excellent demonstration techniques! I'd like to know more about adverse yaw characteristics

[@matttheman4331]

This is awesome before I start

[@corydibona8103]

Great video!

[@AkPacerPilot]

Great video... I like your Trim drill, looks like a great way to demonstrate the Trim.

[@angleofattack]

Thanks 👍

[@Terpthagod]

What a perfect timed video for me, I just took my discovery flight on Friday and have my first lesson on Wednesday of this coming week! Great video!

[@angleofattack]

Good luck with your first lesson. Make sure to subscribe!

[@n.h5242]

I really learned a lot from you sir Thank you

[@simcptmike]

I'd like to learn more about precautionary landings. That's something i don't see a lot of attention on in general. i feel like it was also the most challenging lesson as a student. Specifically timing runway lengths out and configurations.

[@jimcosti6859]

I am thoroughly enjoying your vids. I worked briefly with Dr who lives in Homer. Jim Palmer I think was hi is no ame. Anyway, I used to take lessons in a Cessna 120. My dad was sort of partners in a few. Ok be was a Piper Cub that I've rode in several times. Anywho, wish I wasn't so old now at 61 and had a reason to occur the cost of flying

[@angleofattack]

Thanks for sharing!

[@elmacko4709]

i would first off all like to say nice work with the video. To answer your question I would like to hear more about the secondary effect of rudders and the aleron break.

[@angleofattack]

Noted!

[@justind9535]

That was a nice centerline on landing! Awesome control

[@angleofattack]

Awww shucks!

[@kennethmead6753]

Would like to see more use of carb heat sequence in different scenarios ( go arounds, pattern configuring, emergency procedures. ) IE. carb heat then power, power then carb heat.

[@ty2tall]

So basic exactly what made my morning. :) ready for a nice day to fly. (ERAU 07',PPL,INS,MULT,COM,Pensacola Approach Controller ATC 12years in counting)

[@angleofattack]

Good stuff! Glad you enjoyed it. Make sure to subscribe!

[@bbt95762]

Good instructor!

[@john-davidchambers2496]

👍 like to see more details on router usage which one you’re using at which time etc. Love your content your editing and your videos! Keep up the great work.

[@angleofattack]

I have some ideas for the future.

[@gordonfeliciano4315]

Nice job. Even after 32 years as a licensed pilot, it's always nice for me to get back to the basics. Over the years, I've learned to let the airplane do what it is designed to do. Don't fight it... just be gentle. It's all about finesse!

[@angleofattack]

EXACTLY. I'm learning that more and more, and trying to pass it on to my students from the very beginning.

[@simeonkasawala1101]

Loving the lesson

[@angleofattack]

Glad you liked it! Make sure to subscribe!

[@umutgurbuz1611]

I know you have mentioned the A, P, T while leveling off. What’s the correct way to enter a climb on a single engine small aircraft.Thank you for all the help.

[@DewmOnline]

A video or discussion on (and I'm not sure if the name is correct) a spin stall when coming in on final. I watch a lot of Trent Palmer, and his buddy Nick had a pretty bad accident a few years ago that I believe was induced from a spin stall. I'm sure I could find videos on it, but I enjoy the way you teach the subject. Anyways, just a suggestion.

[@budowens6478]

Simply awesome

[@angleofattack]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@nickvolpe7521]

Awesome CFI.

[@angleofattack]

Thanks.

[@chuckpowell391]

Hey Chris. Sorry I missed the premiere last night. Great video as always.

[@angleofattack]

Next time! Make sure to subscribe!

[@chuckpowell391]

Like the hat your wearing in the video. New color combo? Don’t see that one on your site.

[@lalawyer11]

Nice! Thanks.

[@angleofattack]

You bet!

[@phil413running]

Like the memory jogger "above the apartment" APT (attitude power trim) Your approach to teaching makes flying "easier" to understand. What are the other acronym memory joggers that you use? I want to know as I l believe they help us remember quickly in time of need. Thanks for your videos. :)

[@Airplane_Stuff]

love you vids the Cessna 172 is a fun airplane

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

AoA- Thank you for the You Tube observation of student pilot instruction. You have me thinking about the critical angle of attack just before stall. + cessation of laminar air flow over the top of wing. + vibration of plane + audible cry of stall warning in strut. + pre- stall whistle ( uncertain what is causing that)?🇭🇲

[@angleofattack]

Thanks for adding your thoughts! Nice little list there. Make sure to subscribe!

[@steveh6595]

Dead stick landings. The why. Safety being prepared.

[@jojona4110]

Nice

[@ravingcyclist624]

What does "trim" actually change on the aircraft. When doing a walk around, I'd like to see what is physically being changed when you "trim".

[@christopherromero6310]

Hey great channel ! Curious where you primarily instruct out of ? Thanks Chris

[@w2cmpnewjoisey467]

Wondering if there are preferred ways to report and approach an airport when planning to intercept the downwind, from various directions, to avoid inflicting the unexpected on others in the area.

[@Shamdouh1]

I wish my instructor taught melike this in my first flight!

[@angleofattack]

Hopefully you eventually got good lessons.

[@brandonzink8283]

I want to learn more about navigation, and instruments, I want to learn more about this because I’m a huge fan of aviation and I’m wanting to start lessons soon, I live in Colorado

[@angleofattack]

Learn about how a plane flies, and how all the aerodynamics work. THAT is the interesting stuff!

[@WolfPilot]

Awesome video Chris! I was disappointed by the lack of a CLeeeaaaaaaarRR!

[@angleofattack]

My editor and I were joking around, when he realized I didn't have the CLEAR in there. I told him to scrap the whole thing and throw it all away!

[@alaskanstrat6618]

Would love to know more about crabbing and when the proper time / elevation is when to kick in rudder before touch down , is it something you do just before or during the flare ?

[@angleofattack]

Good question. I have another video on crosswind landings you can check out. I'll be doing more in the future on the subject.

[@panganibanmv]

How do you maintain extended runway cernterline on takeoff, without constantly looking back at the runway? Assuming calm winds and other neutral conditions, will keeping the ball centered work?

[@wannamontana4130]

This plane has an interesting anti-stall self balance. Is that normal for many models, or specific to this plane?

[@mulengathepilot2288]

Learnt something new today as i watched your video. As a student pilot i would like to know more about traffic pattern entry in a towered Airport and Non towered Airport and more on the use of the trim wheel to maintain altitude.

[@angleofattack]

Noted! I already have some ideas in mind.

[@mulengathepilot2288]

@@angleofattack will be glad to see a video

[@derekroulston1977]

Hi Chris, as a newly licenced pilot I want to continue to improve my skills. What do you think new pilots should work on?

[@ArdenBallard]

I'd love to hear more about visually judging altitude on approach and getting on glide slope without using papi lights. I took my first lesson a few weeks ago and felt I was always too high.

[@ArdenBallard]

Secondly, how in the hell do you learn when it's so beautiful outside!? I feel like I'd be completely distracted the whole time in alaska haha

[@angleofattack]

Many are. But it puts you at ease if nothing else. And locals are a little more used to the views.

[@CheckSixAviation]

I wish Chris was my flight instructor. 😅 Maybe for Instrument after PPL.

[@JavaJack59]

You solicited questions in the video: Do you do any controlled descending at any part of your downwind, or is controlled descent reserved strictly for base & final? Why or why not?

[@angleofattack]

I have my students start the descent at the base turn. I don't think it's wrong to do it the other way. I just like my students to learn a more power off to the approach.

[@JustAnotherEngineer_]

What causes that whistling or whirring sound when you approach stall?

[@mikemonce1405]

Landing........flair vs transition ?..... what do you call it...? Heard both is there a difference?

[@jonathonhinson2070]

You introduced a lot of stuff for the new pilot, but in a relaxed, easy to understand way. It was great.

[@angleofattack]

Glad you enjoyed it! Make sure to subscribe!

[@CrooklynPilot]

As a student pilot, I am curious about your interpretation of the fundamental of S-turns performance maneuvers. It’s noted in the ACS ppl document, along with the risk management rationale. I still don’t see it as critical as slow flight or stalls.

[@angleofattack]

I don't thin it is. But it's a 'ground reference' maneuver which essentially means you're correct for wind drift.

[@JavaJack59]

Another question: do you feel like there has been too little advancement in GA engines with regard to noise level, vibration, and fuel efficiency?

[@angleofattack]

There's plenty of advancement. But the barriers to adding certified or STCs to older airplanes is just so expensive. FAA needs to remove the red tape if we're going to have an affordable chance.

[@craig6603]

This was almost the entire syllabus in one lesson

[@angleofattack]

Too much?

[@craig6603]

@@angleofattack nah. I enjoyed it.

[@jeffbridges666]

Why does your Cessna sit so tail heavy on the ground?

[@21trips]

Crosswind landings

[@AlaskaTailwheel]

To answer your questions: how do ‘get the feel’ of a new model of airplane. Which manueuvers teach you how an airplane flies quickly

[@angleofattack]

I find the slow flight, stalls, steep turns, and power off 180s help a lot. Anything that explores the envelope.

[@DraGon-cg6ge]

how many hours 172?

[@pieplicht]

I hope you still read the comments of this video but I have a question: Is it always best to fly as high as possible? Say your Cessna has a ceiling of 16,000 feet, is it always faster to fly 14,000-16,000 feet or is there a better altitude for optimal performance?

[@alexmckenzie8480]

I’ll answer for fun. It’s a constant balancing act of performance, economy, and comfort. Basically as you get higher you use less gas because there’s less air molecules to mix with the gas and combust. There’s also less drag as the air gets thinner, so economy rises with altitude. BUT performance actually declines with altitude. You can get high enough on to lose a significant portion of your engines rated power (it’s rated at sea level). Most flights you use about as much gas as you’ll save climbing to a higher altitude so it’s mostly personal preference. It might be worth it if there’s a great tailwind at 10,000 and a headwind at 5,000, to climb above the headwind and cruise along burning less gas and getting a free push. Another thing to consider is in the heat of summer, it’s much more comfortable up high. So if you’re sensitive to heat like me, 10,000 is your happy place in a piston airplane, less bumps and much cooler!

[@angleofattack]

THIS

[@shoe321]

The fly strikes again.

[@angleofattack]

I killed them all!

[@skippingguy]

Hang on! The student pilot did the takeoff, and then you took him through climbs, descents, turns, trim, attitude flying, angle of attack, and stalls, and a touch and go, and introduction to the pattern, and controlling the flare, all in the first lesson??

[@angleofattack]

Why not?!?!

[@reyesben]

Boy you spoil your students with Bose a20’s? Nice of you.

[@dawolfman24]

I think I’ve been spoiled with the past pilots.

[@angleofattack]

What do you mean?

[@dawolfman24]

When I was a kid they handed the controls over to me thus deepening the love of flying for me. Love your videos Chris.

[@Creations-hj2kq]

Did anyone notice how cramped the two guys are they are rubbing shoulders and they have keep squeezing them selves like a tight butt cheek. Does anyone have an answer as to why they couldn't widen the body by 2 feet.

[@treetopflyer5930]

I need to talk with you "Mauro Milia on Linkedin" bye bye now!!!