Back to Flying | 8 PRO Steps to Pilot Proficiency

You've been away from flying for a while, and now it's time to get back in the cockpit. What do you do? Join me, Chris Palmer, a CFI in Alaska, as I take you through a flight with 8 steps to get you back to flying, and back to pilot proficiency. More Info Below.
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Here are the steps (clickable):
1 | Do a Quality Preflight 0:57
2 | Stick & Rudder --- 11:06
3 | Eyes Out for Traffic --- 15:23
4 | Steep Turns & "Pressure" --- 18:00
5 | Slow Flight & "No Hands" --- 21:22
6 | Approach/Landing (Power OFF) Stall --- 25:50
7 | Takeoff/Departure (Power ON) Stall --- 27:40
8 | Landings - Normal-Spot-Power Off 180º -- 31:40
Do a Quality Preflight
It's all too common for a pilot to forget to check the airplane, or get rusty with the entire preflight procedure. I would say it's probably less common for them to forget, but very common to fumble through it. Be thorough during this process of checking the aircraft -- it may have been sitting a while, and who knows what could have happened. Plus, you need to have as much confidence as you can if the flying ability for the machine.
Stick & Rudder
You've heard the term before, but it's so central to how to fly an airplane. Really, it's at the core and foundation of everything we do while flying. Throughout the entire video I talk about what we're doing with the rudder, pressure on the yoke, how to trim off that pressure, what's moving here, and how to move there. If you can can visualize and work through in your head how to efficiently fly the plane through the air, you'll be a great pilot.
Eyes Out for Traffic
Everyone else is going to be excited to get back to flying, just like you. That's why you really need to be on the lookout for other aircraft and be extra careful with collision avoidance. Just recently there was a 172 that BARELY missed another aircraft. Like, scary, scary close. The sooner you see, the sooner you can avoid hitting another airplane. Do your clearing turns and continue to keep your eyes outside.
Steep Turns & "Pressure"
Pilots really shouldn't be 'under pressure'. But hey, sometimes we are. When it comes to controlling the airplane and doing different maneuvers, pressure is something to pay a LOT of attention to. Work through the guidance outlined here, and keep in mind that the pressure you feel on the yoke, control wheel or stick is typically unhealthy, and should be avoided, especially in the pattern. It's usually an indication you're doing something that could put you at risk of an accident or loss of control. Not always, but a lot of the time.
Slow Flight & "No Hands"
We continue the thought of getting rid of pressure on the flight controls and do some slow flight with the airplane. We slow the airspeed way down, get near stall, and show that the airplane can be controlled with rudder only, if done correctly and methodically. This exercise can further the muscle memory in your feet.
Approach/Landing (Power OFF) Stall
While we're working with slow flight, it makes sense to start working on stalls. This is what could go wrong if you ignore everything I said about pressure, and get distracted, and get the airplane to a wing stall, or where you reach the critical angle of attack. This temporary loss of lift at a safe altitude is no big deal, but we'd never want to face that while close to the ground, because our ability to control the aircraft becomes more critical. It could even lead to a loss of control. So, we go through how to do a power off stall, how to recover, and what to look out for.
Takeoff/Departure (Power ON) Stall
Now we flip the script and work on a takeoff or departure stall. Because we want to be climbing out on departure, we're going to have as much power as possible to do so, which means this stall will act much different. Namely, when we get close to that stalls state, our angle of attack will seem much higher, because we'll need to get into an aggressive climb. But more importantly, we have the power of the engine and resultant left turning tendencies with the propellor trying to pull us left. If we don't plan for that, and keep the aircraft coordinated, it could lead to a spin. So, while there's more that can go wrong here, it's still something that's plenty safe at altitude.
Landings -- Normal-Spot-Power Off 180º
Now for everyone's favorite part, the landings. We'll go through an increased progression of skill, starting with a simple normal landing, then to a spot landing, and finishing with a power-off 180 which simulates an engine out, and landing on a target. Throughout these landings you'll be able to build up your skill to each new level, challenge yourself, and eventually be able to land very precisely. All of the skills that had been worked on up until this point are critical to the safe operation in the pattern, and I'll correlate where I can.
You can find more training content at www.angleofatta...
#flying #aviation #pilot

[@angleofattack]

Need to knock off some rust after being away from flying? Jump in the left seat and come along for a flight lesson.

[@trevorbrooke4653]

Jump in the left seat......how come you don't?

[@MrCobb-rq8iv]

I'll take either seat if you come to Anthony, LOL.

[@itsdaniyaal]

7:18 that *clear* killed me

[@tinytruckers]

Good walk around,there are 2 things I do extra. 1) when I finish inspecting the right side wing,I always open the door and pull the elevator up and cycle the trip up and down and back to neutral to ensure it functions properly. 2) when I inspect the oleo,even though it looks good I go around and give a good pull down on the prop to see the oleo drop and return to natural setting. Then carry on with the remaining inspection.

[@craigdeley]

Still the best refresher. Upper air work 🤙

[@DavidBuyakCessna172GPiperJ5a]

Thanks for this. I'm going to be test flying my G model after a 4 year restoration. Nice to see an older model 172 still being used in the real world.

[@bolivaralexgarcia1172]

Enjoyed the video a lot! Good advice and pointers for a rusty pilot . Thanks and safe flying !

[@angleofattack]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@craigdeley]

Always come back to this video

[@kevinrblodgett]

Dude this was so good, thanks. I wish we were closer so I could take lessons from you

[@angleofattack]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@FilipEveraert]

Excellent video. You can visualize the plane you fly in your head as you follow along. Thanks, Chris for reminding us of all the important little details that help make flying so much smoother.

[@angleofattack]

Glad you enjoyed it. Would love to do more like this.

[@craigdeley]

This my favourite refresh video

[@dodgyaz]

Great info Love the enthusiastic "CLEAR!" :D

[@theworshiptraveler6709]

Awesome tips and instructions. Thank Chris👍

[@dr.4948]

Great video. Excellent example of pre-flight walk around. A friend told me once “think of the walk around like part of your flight and just enjoy being with the plane.”

[@angleofattack]

I really like that phrase! I’m going to borrow that.

[@dr.4948]

Angle of Attack it’s all yours. I’ve already stolen Josh’s (I think) phrase of “committing aviation”

[@stevelawson7635]

Chris - I recently (March 2022) returned to general aviation after a 20-year hiatus. Even though i was able to pass my BFR in short order, there are still plenty of cobwebs to control. This video - like all your other videos - helps me mentally prepare for each flight. Thanks for sharing your time with us!

[@dirceuluizmanfroramos9988]

Excellents explanations and tips. Thanks.

[@anthonybeasley6294]

Cleeeeaaaaar! Haha I don’t know why but the way you said it cracks me up

[@nebojsamrmak9576]

I always check the cabin air vent intakes for bugs ever since last year I had some visitors in the cabin on takeoff.

[@bbt95762]

very cool - thanks for sharing

[@angleofattack]

You bet

[@ats8911]

Just what I needed 👌Got my PPC in March then quarantine hit. Time to get back out and enjoy the PNW 🏔

[@angleofattack]

Heck yeah! Soon I hope!

[@ats8911]

@@angleofattack Update...3 touch and goes, flew over the house for my son... Smoother than I remembered! Thanks again for the pointers.

[@spikedog9]

Nice lesson. Working on all the skills you explained as a very new student. Thanks for nice explanations and demonstrations.

[@IACaptainKen]

Thanks Chris. After watching this I discovered that I'm not adjusting the trim often enough. I need to pay more attention to that little item.

[@angleofattack]

Need to be adjusted every time you make a configuration change. You should be trying to fly hands off as much as possible.

[@markuslutzenburger8982]

Pre-flight inspection, oh yeah man! Had such good learning as I made the pre-flight of a charter 172s coming right out of the 100h inspection. The cable clamp of the autopilot actuator bridle cable was loose, moved on the horizontal stab control cable, and got stuck halfway at a spar inside the tailpipe of the fuselage. Imagine this happens right at the point you rotate...

[@angleofattack]

That's frightening.

[@liam2pearce]

Brushed off some cobwebs earlier this week! This was great!

[@angleofattack]

Glad you're back at it.

[@TerryD1023]

The best brush-up instructional video I've seen. Thank you!

[@angleofattack]

Dang! Thanks!

[@richardseton7014]

Tough day to post a VLOG, whilst Spacex and NASA launch America's Astronauts. Notwithstanding a great thorough VLOG, thanks Chris.

[@angleofattack]

Don’t I know it!!!

[@c172flyer]

This was great to watch. Even as an active pilot it was a good refresher. Love the content!

[@angleofattack]

Happy to hear!

[@aerospacenews]

Chris - great job on this. I'm about to get my flight review so this was very helpful. Say hi to Ms. B up there! I sometimes hang with the KSZP folks.

[@angleofattack]

SZP is awesome!!!!

[@FlightBuff]

Great Video!! I am itching to get back into a plane. With this isolation and social distancing, my home airport is still closed. I can only imagine how rusty I am after not being behind the controls in 3 months. Looking forward to flying again soon....... I hope!

[@angleofattack]

You’ll get there! So glad you’re keeping your head in the game by watching stuff like this.

[@estebanguillen809]

A lot of knowledge and techniques to apply on my next flight! Thanks for this video, really useful!!

[@angleofattack]

Great to hear!

[@weimyteam]

Totally brilliant video...!!

[@bitlong4669]

My training unit still closed, maybe in a week or two it will open again. In meantime I've been flying on the sim, watching you tube vids, as well as recordings from my training. Can't wait to get back up in the air for real. Thanks for the video. Love the scenery.

[@niallchisholm7205]

Hi Chris, just about to continue my PPL training after the lockdown and have decided to do some general handling refresher with my school. This video was so useful. Thank you. Greetings from Ireland

[@frankcloskey7789]

Excellent Instructor Explaining everything .Have a Good Day! 5/9 2921

[@andyhawaii2819]

Excellent thanks

[@ranh71]

Chris, thanks great video, still waiting to get airborne !!

[@earlystrings1]

This is so excellent. Student pilot here and haven't been up since January. This all seems faintly familiar 😂

[@angleofattack]

Glad you enjoyed it! It’s long but helpful.

[@billnicholson2470]

Lots of great tips Chris. Thanks

[@ryanleon5239]

Chris - at 27:39 in the video, you mention adding carb heat to get a bit of extra power. Can you explain? I thought carb heat reduces power since the hot air from the exhaust isn't as dense as the cold air. (unless you actually were in a situation with ice in the carb. But even then, wouldn't there be a momentary loss of power until the ice melted?). Thanks and keep up the great content!

[@jefftheriault1333]

Chris, thanks for the good tips. I’m flying from a remote location away from any flying schools and your videos or really helping. Just bought a Warrior as a recent PPL and Energy management is my every flight challenge having recently being trhough 172 to Sundowner to Warrior !

[@angleofattack]

Lots of different types there. Glad you’re taking energy management seriously.

[@kestrel5065]

Thanks for this Chris. Good drills.

[@jonathanschrock9331]

Great stuff here Chris. Good content for anyone to pick up some tips or variations in how to approach each of the fundamentals. It would be great to also see some thoughts on approaching some of the commercial maneuvers. For me, specifically Chandelles. It’s a favorite to work on because of the nuance in how each phase requires continual adjustment in all attitudes and power. Super useful as practice but also still quite challenging to “nail” every time. Managing the rate of turn while perfectly coordinated during the second half is still and area for refinement. Tips or just a walk through of what you are seeing and feeling during each phase would be great to see. Thanks again!

[@angleofattack]

I’ll add them to the list!

[@jonathanschrock9331]

Angle of Attack great! thanks!

[@michaelkoerperich4989]

Really enjoyed this. Very helpful! Thanks!

[@lynnbishop6960]

Great refresher video Chris, always learn something new from you!

[@angleofattack]

Thanks! Glad it helped.

[@josesbox9555]

Speaking of proficient. My buddy leif said your airplane is slow. He caught right up to you guys. Must be a weight and balance issue. 😜

[@airmackeeee6792]

Great video Chris, really enjoyed it! Especially liked that you performed the 3 types of landings in the crosswind (ie less than ideal) conditions.

[@JMOUC265]

Excellent video. Really enjoyed it and it was next best thing to being there. I would like to see and hear more power off landings with each phase explained in detail as it is happening. I hope that you create some additional inflight videos as good as this one is. Only thing I would add is that for videos, it would be useful if you could add some ambient light onto the instrument panel so that we can scan the gauges during the flight. Not sure how you can do that, but if possible, great.

[@angleofattack]

Good thoughts. I've got some new cameras and I'm trying to figure out the settings. We'll get it dialed in!

[@theprudentpilot788]

Like a boss! Awesome stuff! It almost seems like you know what you're doing. LOL!!! Thanks brother! God bless you.

[@angleofattack]

Yeah, sometimes ;) Always wanting you improve.

[@mahmoudelfellah42]

Awesome!! Good luck

[@jandejong2430]

Not part of the curriculum: wingover. Shows very nicely how there is no stall if no lift is demanded.

[@blackhawkteam8625]

I have a 1960 Skylark 175 I would like to put the larger tires on it what do you suggest and what type of fork for the front

[@dalgrim]

Is the hose clamps and rubber hose “bumper” on the nose strut TSO’d?

[@angleofattack]

Common.

[@jameschen9099]

Chris, Saw you spin the prop at 6:19 in the video during your walk around. Albeit in the reverse direction, is it safe ? in case of bad magneto grounding.

[@angleofattack]

It won’t fire in the opposite direction.

[@brianpetrow7218]

Is that a shell casing as a guide on the dipstick??? Lol

[@angleofattack]

Nah.

[@sergeydunets9616]

Is the turn coordinator alive?

[@angleofattack]

It's since been fixed.

[@AN2Felllla]

Your 172 is almost as much of a taildragger as that 180 next to it

[@angleofattack]

I know. It’s glorious.

[@SkiFlyN]

....first have an airplane to beg, borrow, use, within 100 miles.