Transition Training Can Help a Pilot Add New Skills

Airplanes, like people, have their quirks, and these quirks can bite you.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, March 24, 2025 at 08:55 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Transitioning from a high to low wing like this Piper PA-28 will add new skills. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Before flying a new aircraft, thoroughly review its POH/AFM to understand unique characteristics, procedures, and potential "gotchas" (like airspeed calibration or fuel systems), proactively addressing differences to avoid "negative transference" from familiar planes.
Be aware of fundamental operational distinctions between aircraft types, such as high-wing vs. low-wing fuel systems, carburetor vs. fuel injection engines, and variations in instrument layouts (e.g., analog vs. glass cockpits).
Prioritize precise fuel management by always confirming usable fuel capacity from the POH, as unreliable gauges and confusion with other aircraft's data are common accident factors.
Consult your insurance provider before acquiring a new aircraft to understand specific transition training requirements, noting that continuous training in diverse aircraft enhances skills, safety, and can lead to insurance discounts.

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Low-wing, high-wing, single-engine Piper, Cessna, Diamond, Cirrus, Tecnam, Beechcraft, and a handful of light sport designs—that pretty much sums up what you can find on the rental ramp at most airports. It’s easy to get in a rut where you only fly one or two designs, but if you want to increase your options and add to your aviation résumé, make it your mission to be checked out in every aircraft you can.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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