The Many Benefits of Chair Flying

Chair flying is an invaluable practice for pilots at all stages of flight training. It allows for visualization of steps, procedures, and flows, enabling you to mentally rehearse your flying skills effectively. Whether you are:

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• preparing for your first solo,
• your private pilot checkride,
• your CFI checkride,
• or a type rating,

Chair flying is not only inexpensive but also an exceedingly valuable tool.

So, what exactly is chair flying?

Chair flying is the act of sitting in a chair and simulating the actions and thought processes you would undertake when flying an aircraft.

Two primary advantages of chair flying include:

• Save Money: Practicing procedures in the air can lead to high flight costs, whereas chair flying allows you to rehearse without incurring those expenses.
• Master Skills: Ground practice reduces the need to repeat operations in the air, enhancing your proficiency.

By learning at your own pace and arriving prepared for lessons, check rides, and commercial flying, you can alleviate stress and become a more self-assured pilot.

You can chair fly the entire flight sequence, from pre-flight checks to securing the aircraft after landing, or focus on specific procedures and flows, like executing stall entry and recovery (see example below). If you find certain procedures challenging, spending additional time on chair flying can significantly boost your mastery before your next lesson or flight.

Chair flying can be done in various settings such as:

• home,
• a desk or dining room chair,
• a flight simulator,
• or the cockpit of a parked airplane.

If you attend a flight school, inquire if they allow you to chair fly in an aircraft before or after your lessons, as this practice can sharpen your skills and ensure that your paid flight time is utilized effectively.

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Quick Tips for A Better Chair Flying Experience

To maximize the effectiveness of your chair flying practice, consider the following five tips:

• Choose a quiet place devoid of distractions where you can voice your thoughts.
• Utilize ARSim Aviation Radio Simulator to reinforce muscle memory and mastery of radio communications through all six flight phases (taxi out, takeoff, flight following, airport entry and transition, approach, and taxi in).
• If practicing at home, refer to a cockpit poster that reflects the avionics of your training aircraft.
• Employ aircraft checklists along with your kneeboard (capture a photo of your school’s checklist and laminate it for easy reference).
• Practice repeatedly: The more you verbalize and execute procedures, the more intuitive they will become.

The combined cost of these resources to enhance your ground training is minimal compared to a single ground or flight lesson. This approach can lead to substantial savings in your training by reducing your time in the air and with your instructor.

Chair Flying Example: Power Off Stall

To practice a Power Off Stall in a 172, you would:

• Take a seat in a chair,
• Visualize the cockpit layout,
• And verbally navigate through the necessary steps.

Pro Tip: Consider recording a voice memo of yourself detailing the steps for playback as you visualize them.

Many pilots find it beneficial to imagine that they are beside an examiner or instructor while demonstrating their skills. For every phase, envision reaching for the corresponding control (yoke, throttle, flaps) or checking the relevant instrument (altimeter, airspeed indicator, vertical speed indicator).

Stall Entry:

1. Choose a minimum entry altitude of at least 2,000 feet.
2. Confirm the area is clear of traffic.
3. Reduce the throttle to around 1,700 RPM.
4. Maintain level flight by applying back pressure.
5. Ensure the airspeed is 110 KIAS for 10 degrees of flaps and 85 KIAS for 20 and 30 degrees of flaps.
6. Set full down wing flaps incrementally as needed.
7. Pull the throttle to idle.
8. Reduce the airspeed to 65 KIAS.
9. Begin a descent of 500 feet-per-minute.
10. Pitch the aircraft into a landing attitude (vy).
11. Note and announce the beginning of the stall.

Stall Recovery:

1. Upon encountering the stall, pitch the aircraft level to the horizon.
2. Incorporate full power by pushing the throttle in.
3. Use rudder alone to level the wings.
4. Retract wing flaps to 20 degrees.
5. Ensure a positive rate of climb.
6. Pitch the aircraft for a climb speed of 79 KIAS.
7. Gradually retract wing flaps to 0 degrees in 10-degree increments.
8. Continue climbing until reaching the entry altitude or upon instructor guidance to level off.

Remember, there are no shortcuts to gaining flying experience. The more you invest time in preparation, the better equipped you'll be for actual flights.

Aspiring commercial pilot practicing chair flying techniques.

For premier commercial pilot training in Scottsdale or Mesa, AZ, reach out at (480) 372- to schedule a consultation.

“Practice makes perfect” remains a timeless adage relevant to anyone acquiring a new skill. However, gaining proficiency as a commercial pilot in Arizona can pose challenges without access to an actual aircraft or flight simulator. This is where chair flying proves beneficial.

Chair flying essentially serves as a bridge between training sessions, allowing you to replicate an airplane cockpit experience in a comfortable setting. Nonetheless, ensure to practice correctly.

Interested in discovering more about Flying Chair? Contact us today for expert consultation!

The Importance of Combining Chair Flying with Flight Training

Chair flying entails dedicating time to review flight procedures while on the ground. While it may seem unconventional, it is highly effective, as every instructor emphasizes this method. It enables you to mentally rehearse your journey from arrival at the airport to the aircraft landing. Key benefits include:

Quality Mental Training

Flying commercially demands more than just technical skills; it requires quick decision-making ability in high-stress situations. Chair flying offers aspiring pilots a way to practice their flying techniques and mentally prepare for various scenarios in a controlled environment.

During chair flying, you can run through critical checklists, simulate emergency procedures, and practice maneuvers to enhance your preparedness for actual flights, facilitating faster advancement through your flight training stages.

Affordable Aircraft Training

Logging flight time in an aircraft can be expensive. Chair flying acts as an economical alternative that enables future pilots to learn and practice aviation concepts, ultimately reducing flight training costs.

Faster Muscle Memory Development

Most operations you will perform as a commercial pilot will rely heavily on muscle memory. Frequent chair flying allows you to practice cockpit procedures repeatedly until they become second nature, aiding you in real-flight scenarios.

More Confidence

Engaging in chair flying can bolster your confidence. Familiarity with cockpit controls can help mitigate anxiety and stress when you take actual flights in the near future.

How to Chair Fly a Plane the Right Way for Student Pilots

Here’s a concise guide to enhance your chair flying efficiency:

Make Your Environment Realistic

The effectiveness of chair flying heavily relies on simulating a realistic flying environment. While lounging on a couch might be tempting, opt for a chair that closely resembles the cockpit setup.

Talk Yourself Through Decisions

Always articulate your actions as if you were in an aircraft cockpit. Speaking aloud facilitates better comprehension of concepts and lessons. Additionally, vocalizing a checklist minimizes the chances of oversight.

Use a Replica of the Cockpit

Utilize a life-sized cockpit poster to aid your practice. Having a visual reference greatly enhances the absorption of muscle memory, enabling you to print and apply your training cockpit layout.

Practice as Many Scenarios as Possible

Chair flying opens avenues for practicing diverse flight protocols, from safety measures to emergency responses. Simulating a range of potential in-flight occurrences prepares you for real-life dilemmas.

Incorporate Technology

If finances allow, embrace flight simulation software. The best applications provide realistic cockpit experiences, and depending on the simulator, modify controls to replicate various aircraft models.

Review Flight Training Regularly

Utilize chair flying moments to revisit flight training and pinpoint areas needing improvement ahead of your lessons.

Maintain open communication with your instructor about your practice to ensure adherence to correct procedures during each chair flying session or simulator use. An experienced flight instructor may identify potential pitfalls in your approach as a novice pilot.

Leopard Aviation: The Arizona Flight School You Can Depend On

At Leopard Aviation, we recognize the immense value of chair flying for aspiring commercial pilots. Our team of certified trainers is ready to guide you in making your chair flying sessions as productive as possible.

Join fellow students on the path to successful commercial pilot careers. Call Leopard Aviation in Scottsdale or Mesa, AZ, today at (480) 372- to start your journey.

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