Building Blocks of Proper Pilot Training Can’t Be Skipped

Remember that repetition and pacing are much better than racing.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Flight training [Credit: FLYING Archive/Derek Eckenroth]

Key Takeaways:

Informal flying experiences can lead to significant misconceptions about proper flight training, underscoring the necessity of structured instruction from a certified flight instructor (CFI).
Effective flight training relies on a building-block approach, utilizing a shared syllabus for both the CFI and learner, and consistent repetition of tasks and maneuvers to ensure skill acquisition and knowledge retention.
Clear communication from the CFI is crucial, especially regarding lesson goals and the purpose of repetition, to manage student expectations and reinforce the learning process.

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The client came to the flight school saying he had 10 or so hours in a Cessna 172 but hadn’t been allowed to take off or land yet—and he wanted to change that.

On his intro flight, he put two hands on the yoke during taxi and eschewed the checklist for the preflight inspection, claiming his previous instructor—a “buddy” of his—“didn’t make him use it,” and “they just went out and flew.”