An instructor and a student preflight a Cessna 152 before a lesson. [Credit: Richard Steiger]
Key Takeaways:
Student pilots often mistakenly try to steer aircraft like cars, both on the ground and in the air, or apply dangerous control habits from flight simulators; instructors must emphasize proper rudder use for taxiing and coordinated flight controls.
Over-reliance on modern automation and GPS for navigation can hinder the development of fundamental pilotage and dead reckoning skills, which are essential for a well-rounded pilot.
A critical error is memorizing check-ride answers instead of deeply understanding the material and procedures, necessitating scenario-based training for true aviation competence.
Learning plateaus are a normal part of flight training; students should overcome frustration by varying their training, such as taking "fun" flights or changing environments, rather than giving up.
Here are the five biggest mistakes student pilots make and how to fix them:
First Mistake
Trying to steer the airplane like you would a car: With the exception of the Ercoupe, there isn’t an airplane that this works on. Trying to steer with the yoke on the ground is like trying to flush a toilet by flipping a light switch. Isn’t going to work.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
![An instructor and a student preflight a Cessna 152 before a lesson. [Credit: Richard Steiger]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/httpswww.flyingmag.comsitesflyingmag.comfilesimages201804pilot_attitude_in_training_image_1-11.jpeg)
