For all you new aviators out there, here’s a simple tip that can instantly make you a better pilot while simultaneously impressing your flight instructor: Learn to relax.
When they’re starting out, most new pilots tend to concentrate so hard on a particular flight maneuver, whether it’s a stall, a steep turn or approach and landing, that they tense up to the point that their fingers will actually start turning white as they tighten their grip on the yoke. Breathing becomes shallow and the student’s body will visibly contort, twisting from close to perfect posture to something more closely resembling a flying pretzel.
