8 SMALL Tweaks That Improve Your Landings FOREVER

Landings are one of the more challenging but rewarding parts of being a pilot... "greasing" the landing is one of the best feelings! Here are 8 simple and small tweaks I've made over the years to try to get better at landings, and each of them have helped me a ton along the way. I hope it helps you in your aviation journey!
Link to "Stick and Rudder" book: amzn.to/49EV8qR
Link to Tac Aero video mentioned: • STOL Training in a Top...
Link to my favorite iPad case/mount for the cockpit: • My Favorite Cockpit iP...
How I use the Apple Pencil in the cockpit: • I Wish I Bought This C...
Want my help 1:1? More info at airplaneacademy.com/hire-charlie
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[@AirplaneAcademy]

Hey guys! I wanted to let you know I just launched an "Insiders" Newsletter where once a week I'm sharing an important lesson I've learned in aviation, links to my latest content so you don't miss out, and links to any other interesting or helpful content I've found. I'm also working on a HUGE project I can't announce yet but I'm going to be sharing more behind the scenes info with Insiders first - Subscribe (it's free) at: airplaneacademy.com/insiders

[@omnijack]

Brilliantly suggestion to learn from birds. And they may fly better than us, but we collectively dance better than they ever will.

[@Peacewind152]

This channel deserves more respect in the aviation community than it gets. Thanks for this video Charlie. I learned quite a bit!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@laurenkolligs978]

Stick & Rudder is a must. I’ve reread that book a lot. I also recommend glider work. It makes you a better pilot by keeping those stick & rudder skills up to snuff.

[@Redchrome1]

Thank you for the tips, these remind me of things instructors have taught me. As for watching the birds - when I first started learning to fly I had to *unlearn* ideas I had about flying based on watching the birds. I saw how abruptly birds pitch up when landing, and had to train my brain to *not* try to do that, because an airplane's wings can't twist and fold the way a bird's can.

[@skydvrboy]

"Really efficient wing... like a Cessna." As a Mooney flyer, that just cracked me up!

[@InducedBank]

Our long runway is 1,500 ft - with only 1,000 ft being concrete, plus with fences right at each end, it's really max 1,200 useable runway - certainly focuses the mind!

[@berniebrown9115]

I would schedule you for my flight instructor any day. I love how you talk through even the mindset. Good job!!!

[@timhoke2]

Agreed. Charlie would make a great CFII.

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you!

[@goboulder]

I am working on my landings. Right on time!! Thanks man!

[@chrishb7074]

For the birds, if you can find a local pond with ducks or geese raising young, it’s hugely entertaining to visit when they are just getting the hang of flying. It doesn’t take them many days so you need to watch quite soon after their flight and tail feathers fully emerge.

[@_planejoe_]

Just came back from a 6 month hiatus of not flying and you're exactly right with all these tips!

[@maritestaylor8458]

It's a changer for sure

[@AJ-qv9yo]

Very helpful. I am a PPL student. I did the floating along the RWY. Lots of fun.

[@mrnelson928]

Well done!

[@EchoKilo]

During my PPL training I was always instructed to chop the power over the threshold during landing,which most times I ended up plopping down firmly. Similarly, I was always told during takeoff to yank it off the ground at 55 kt which often led to a less than stable initial climb out. Now I keep a little more speed in until I’m well within ground effect upon landing and on takeoff rotate at higher speed when I feel the airplane wants to fly.

[@calebturner8228]

Immediately goes into the video and gets to the point. Aweosme tips and perspectives. Love this channel!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you!

[@paulrichardson6804]

Excellent vid, great pointers and work to focus on…especially spot landings !!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thanks!

[@KevinSmithAviation]

Excellent video and tips Charlie. Keep up the excellent work. Safe skies my friend 🇺🇸🛩️

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you!

[@timhoke2]

Charlie, you are a born teacher! Because of circumstances beyond my control, I have not flown since August. In two weeks time I should be in the air again. Your video is very helpful. I had lunch with a former Air Force flight trainer today who said many of the things in your video. Good stuff!

[@AirplaneAcademy]

Thank you, that's nice of you. Glad you're getting back soon!

[@wiseacredave]

I've always realized that landings are all about energy management. I prefer to think of landing in terms of managing kinetic energy (speed) with the elevator and managing altitude (potential energy) with the throttle. If you manage those two things and add managing the aircraft's attitude in the three other axes (plus a forth dimension relative to the runway centerline), you will do better landings.

[@jasonharrison6152]

Can’t believe you landed the Kodiak at ponka. Sweet. Like to see the takeoff. Great videos brother. Live in DFW as well. Spend most of our time at PK. F35 and KRPH. Sold the 182 and still have our super cub. Love to fly with you some day.

[@jasonharrison6152]

BTW. I watch birds at the lake all the time and amazed at their energy management as well. So awesome you put that in the video.

[@gromm93]

"In really efficient wings like the Cessna 172 and 182..." Glider pilots: Hold my beer and watch this.

[@bbrydr331]

Well said…are you planning to adopt the helmet/visor combo in your normal flying? Fighter pilot’esque!!!

[@steven2145]

My old CFI and I argue about using trim on approach and landing. He believes you should live the plane trimmed neutral from the downwind to landing so you don't risk a trim stall on a go around.

[@matthewmoseng4321]

Great Content! Great Videos! Great Discussions! ?game changer? "Game Changer" Is a dated phrase!(word up) lol Something about flying and games just don't seem to coincide. But Great informative Videos Keep up your awesome Work!!!

[@bertschb]

Great tips! Do you think the new Garmin GHA-15 Height Advisor would help improve landings?

[@AirplaneAcademy]

I'm sure it wouldn't hurt... I think on smaller aircraft though you're not sitting very high off of the ground so I don't think it's necessary to become really good at landings. In larger aircraft that probably becomes more handy. I have not used one myself though.

[@gveduccio]

on my custom kneeboard I call it smooth landing just a touch of power right before landing can give you an extra 2 seconds to work out the nose pointing right down centerline and cushion the wheels touching no thump 'uh sorry'...your pilot buddies want to see your short field landing skills...the family wants the smooth landing

[@kmg501]

Non pilot here but your presentation caused me to wonder if anyone has built a runway away from any airport for the express purpose of just practicing landings, takeoffs and ground effect experience building. I suppose a bush(?) plane is perfect for this but that leaves out other aircraft.

[@neon_Nomad]

Instead of power before ground i use trim

[@neon_Nomad]

I idle above the runway

[@ralphwatt8752]

Bird Watching All things are in Harmony with Nature.

[@eksemos]

I don't know how to contact you, but I'd like to ask you a few questions about your personal experience with the 182, as well as your experience flying the 206. How can you be contacted?

[@dwayneharris9591]

First! Now with that out of the way, the best ways to learn to land is to be in the cockpit as often as you can.

[@achyuthannagaraj1182]

hmm yes me watching this at 3am, not even owning a plane or a license