Jorge Yepiz

There is an overwhelming selection of books, available for all sorts of topics, available to pilots.  Textbooks, FAA reprints, career advice and test preparation books fill Marv Golden’s (www.marvgolden.com) my local pilot shop.  I’ve spent may hours just browsing through many of these books.  What I’ve noticed is that many of these contain the exact same information.

The latest edition of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge FAA-H-8083-25A has been greatly enhanced by the use of detailed, full color graphics. I think it does a better job of presenting and explaining some of the more technical aspects of aerodynamics than the previous edition. I haven’t found another resource that does better at presenting the required knowledge subject matter for the written or oral. Some branded books are available but for someone who is interested in no-nonsense, straightforward presentation of the material this is the only book needed.

Of course no pilot should train without a thorough read of the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-8083-3A. All the maneuvers required by the PTS for Private and Commercial applicants, as well as information for anyone in transition to jets or turboprops, are explained in detail. Some new FAA publications that I’ve also found useful are Risk Management Handbook FAA-H-8083-2 and Advanced Avionics Handbook FAA-H-8083-6. Any of these can be previewed in PDF on the FAA website (www.faa.gov).

A few books really got my attention and I use them for reference consistently.  They are: Instructional Methods For Flight Instructors by Gordon C. Henrie, Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche and Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot by Richie Lengel.

Gordon C. Henrie takes from his experience as a fighter pilot, instructor and pilot examiner to present some invaluable tips and techniques for teaching and learning maneuvers. I’ve used his techniques with students to force them to look outside the cockpit for references. I’ve noticed a great improvement in the quality of student’s flying and I’ve learned a great deal myself.

Stick and Rudder should be in every pilot’s library. This book was written many years ago so some people believe it’s outdated. I believe the concepts are very much valid and if approached with an open mind all pilots can take something useful from it. The debate over pitch and power, and which does what, continues with a short read from Simon Wheaton-Smith, “Pitch for Power” (http://www.illustratingshadows.com/PitchPower.pdf).

Richie Lengel’s, “Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot,” is the most comprehensive resource I’ve seen. His delivery is concise and at times comical and without a doubt you will get some lingering question answered. As the title implies everything is explained from airspace to aerodynamics to instrument flying and regulations. Every page contains common sense, everyday use tips and tricks for flying safely.

As a student pilot, one of the most daunting phases of flight for me was the landing. I accepted “Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing.” No two landings were ever the same. I heard over and over again, fix your sight picture, pitch for speed, power for altitude; but what did all that mean? It was trial and error. After many hundred landings I finally got it, or did I? I could land on a predetermined spot on centerline every time now. Isn’t that all there is to it? The real test came when I became a flight instructor. Would I be able to teach this to someone new to flying?

I see the same anxiety and frustration in my students now that I once had. It’s easy to fall into the “touch and go” trap, reinforcing bad habits instead of learning good ones. Thinking that quantity somehow is better than quality. There has to be a better way.

A while back a fellow instructor referred me to a website. Eager to find something to improve my teaching method, I looked it up. Finally, I saw in front of me what I had pictured in my head but just couldn’t find the words to explain it.  Landing can be taught as a precision maneuver that is executed with purpose and accuracy every time.  The website is by David Jacobson and he calls his technique The Jacobson Flare.  I found his insight and explanations extremely useful.  Some aspects may be too complicated for the beginner but I’ve found it can be adapted easily to suit any level.  The web address is www.jacobsonflare.com

I hope you find this information helpful and appreciate any feedback.  Since this is my first real blog post let me know what you think!

Technology is cool. Apparently I’ve been behind recently. I can update from my phone too!

Today I had the day off so I thought I’d start a blog.  I’ll use it to track and share my experiences in my aviation career.