![The debrief should carefully target soft spots—not shame—by having the CFI identify errors, explain the correct actions, and explore why they occurred. [Credit: Meg Godlewski]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_3936-e1779370493918.jpeg)
The flight instructor was known for being quiet in the aircraft. He’d show the learners what to do, then sit back and watch. His debriefs consisted of signing the logbook and saying, “You did pretty good. See you next week.”
The students began searching for other instructors—the reason? They were unsure if they were “doing this right” and “making progress” because the instructor did not supply this information. There was no postflight debrief.
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If your training flights do not end with some time for debriefing, you are not getting your money’s worth. The purpose of the debrief is to discuss what was done during the flight, the standards the pilot reached or came close to reaching, what needs work, and how to achieve the standards required.
Tech Support
Many instructors now use ForeFlight, CloudAhoy, FlightAware, or Garmin Pilot to record the flight, which makes it easy to review and study at a later date. The apps provide details on altitude, heading, and airspeed, which is useful in reviewing your performance—especially in the pattern. Some CFIs get a screen grab of the information, which is then downloaded and shared with a tap or a swipe, making it an excellent tool to use for the debrief.
Looking at the performance capture of the apps is just part of the equation. There also needs to be discussion about how the maneuver fits into the training environment and how the skills will be utilized in the real world. The debrief should include a progress update and what the pilot needs to do next to achieve their goal of earning that certificate or rating.
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Military pilots often say: “The most important part of the flight is the debrief.” Because that’s where you’ll learn what you still need to learn—and it may be something that will save your life someday.
The military relies heavily on recorded audio and video for flight debriefing. The use of video in the debrief is for tactical purposes and helps the pilot review maneuvers to see where they might have been behind the aircraft as well as what they did to standards.
In the civilian world, many pilots use strategically placed GoPro cameras around the cockpit to record the flight, and then study the video later. As long as the pilot doesn’t drop the airplane to fly the camera, the recordings made can be beneficial for debriefings.
As I write this column, the FAA doesn’t have a rule against video recording of flights. But you should check with your instructor before setting up cameras in the cockpit, as some find it an unnecessary distraction or might object to being on video.
I fell into the second category when one of my private pilot candidates asked to record our flights, so at my request, he pixelated me out. He set up cameras that captured the panel and helped him evaluate his performance. His videos became a learning tool.
It also helps that I take a lot of notes when I fly with learners. In the postflight debrief, I would run through the notes. He would make notes of his own, then go home and review the videos. This greatly helped him track his progress and improvement and illustrated the postflight debrief, as he could see what was mentioned and note his improvement.
For example, to do a level off, he learned to set the pitch, achieve the required speed, adjust the power, and then wait a few seconds to “let the airplane talk to him” before adjusting the trim. This resulted in much smoother and more precise approaches.
Brief With Intent
Even if you use an app during the flight, it helps if the CFI makes notes. You don’t have to write chapters, but simple reminders like “altitude +/- 200,” “no checklist,” and “radio calls improved” can help you know what to address during the postflight
debriefing.
CFIs, watch your language in the debrief and be precise. “You did pretty good” is not a debrief, unless it is followed by metrics such as, “You did pretty good holding altitude within 100 feet, which is within check ride standards.” If improvement is required, the CFI should offer guidance on how this can be done and perhaps suggest a reading assignment or a review of an online ground school lesson.
“You need more practice” is a useless phrase unless the CFI can be precise about what needs to improve—such as, “You were chasing the trim—try applying trim, then counting to three before making more adjustments.” App-enabled debriefing is particularly useful for learning how to fly the pattern. It’s easy to see when and how the learner gets behind the airplane. These observations should be followed with recommendations on how to improve performance, such as advice on power settings and airspeeds on each leg of the pattern.
If the learner appears to be flying by rote, as in adding flaps when the aircraft is low and slow, the debrief should include a refresher on the purposes of flaps and note that using them is situational. The CFI might suggest a reading or watching assignment for review. If the learner is doing a self-paced online ground school, have them review the appropriate lesson. Most online ground schools have a mechanism that allows the CFI to monitor the learner’s progress.
Mistakes and What-Ifs
If the learner does poorly on the flight, the debrief has to be done carefully. The purpose of the debrief is to identify and fix the soft spots in their flying, not to shame or belittle the learner. It’s the job of the CFI to identify the incorrect actions, advise what the correct course of action should be, and, if able, identify why the learner took the incorrect action.
An example of this is the learner who, when the CFI initiated a loss of engine power by closing the throttle, instead of adjusting the airspeed to best glide, immediately reached over and dumped in full flaps. This creates a significant and unexpected (to the learner) change in pitch. The CFI talked the learner through the recovery, and then during the post-flight debrief, they both tried to determine why the learner did that. It turned out to be a panic reaction and a good example of the hazardous attitude of impulsivity. Learning took place.
Scenario-based training, the “what would you do if this happened” game, can be an excellent tool to use during the debrief.
The instructor references a situation encountered during the flight, like being No. 3 for landing and the learner initiating a go-around. That’s one correct response. But what if the aircraft was low on fuel, or the weather was rapidly deteriorating? Was there any way to get down without crowding the aircraft they were following? Could the pilot have initiated S-turns for spacing?
Praise stimulates remembering, but it is important that it—especially during the debrief—be sincere. The best instructors mention what the learner did well or improved, in addition to the things that need improvement.
Once the learner’s logbook and possibly training folder are filled out during the debrief, it’s a good idea to take a look at the syllabus so the learner can see where they are in the process. It’s also a good time to see what the next lessons will bring and assign the reading that will help the learner better absorb the material. Then on the next flight, begin the prebrief by asking questions culled from the assigned reading.
Often pilots mimic the behavior of their flight instructor. If the CFI is rushed or skimps on the debrief, this sends the message it’s not really important. Part of being a CFI is managing your time and that of your clients. Work on getting back on the ground with at least 15-20 minutes before your next client arrives so you do not have to rush the debrief.
Debrief Yourself
After each flight, a pilot should take a critical look at their performance—in essence a self-debrief.
Perhaps you did not use the checklist during the preflight inspection. Perhaps you gained a little extra altitude in the crosswind turn when flying the pattern. Make a note to work on it next time. Or maybe you failed to perform the GUMPS check and then back it up with the checklist.
If you catch yourself doing this—or something else—learn from your mistakes. Treat every flight like it is a check ride.
This column first appeared in the April Issue 969 of the FLYING print edition.
