Flight Training - March/April 2023 - 5

LETTERS
THE MOST
PRECIOUS
STUDENT
I just finished reading Ian J. Twombly's
article " The Most Precious Student " (September/October
2022 Flight Training). I
am a CFI, and I did teach my son how to
fly. Was I more picky than with other students?
Yes! Did it affect our relationship?
Not at all. I think it helped it.
But what's worse than a CFI watching
his son fly away on his first solo while
doing a mental check to be sure you didn't
forget to teach him everything? Watching
your son fly away on his first solo in your
airplane that you do all the maintenance
on. I will never forget watching him fly
away and saying, " Oh, God! Please don't let
the kid break the airplane. Oh, God! Don't
let the airplane break the kid! " Not sure if
I would do it again.
Rafael Gomez Blanco
Lakewood, California
ALWAYS LEARNING BY SARAH DEENER
Editor SARAH DEENER is
5-foot-1 and doesn't need a
seat cushion in a Cessna 152.
All aircraft designs are compromises.
When it comes to ergonomics, manufacturers
design for the middle of the bell
curve-which means, in the case of aircraft
designed during the general aviation boom
of the 1960s and 1970s, an FAA-standard
170-pound man. Those of us who are
shorter or taller, bigger or smaller need to
get creative.
Short renters like me rely on seat cushions
to improve rudder pedal authority
and visibility over the panel, and owners
may have the additional option of installing
rudder pedal extensions. The useful
load, legroom, or cockpit dimensions of
light sport aircraft and other smaller aircraft
might put them off limits for larger or
taller pilots, but ask around and you'll fi nd
trainers with the capacity you need.
BELL CURVE
It must have been the fourth time my instructor had reminded
me, this time with a hint of agitation in his voice: Don't use the
brakes to turn.
Now I was agitated. Taxiing should be the easy part, and I couldn't even do that
right? Why did something that seemed so basic to my CFI prove so diffi cult for me?
Then he off ered advice that led to an epiphany and one of the most useful purchases
in my fl ying career: " Keep your heels on the fl oor. "
Standard advice for airplanes with toe brakes like the Cessna 172 I was fl ying,
leaving your heels on the fl oor keeps your feet off the brakes and allows you to apply
smooth pressure on the rudder pedals. The thing is, I couldn't do it. And not in a
conceptual or muscle-memory way-I physically could not reach the fl oor with my
toes stretched out to the rudder pedals. Nor could I fully defl ect the pedals, so while
turning I was sliding my toe awkwardly from bottom to top to pull the nose around
with diff erential braking. It dawned on me that this wasn't how it was supposed to
be. I bought a seat cushion with a back.
My taxiing improved. My sight picture improved. My landings improved. My legs
didn't ache after lessons. I could see over the panel and keep my feet on the fl oor.
Then, I bought a fuel gauge for checking the fuel level during prefl ight-because
my instructor, well over 6 feet tall, kept asking me to check if the tanks were fi lled
to the tabs. (To this day I haven't set eyes on " the tabs " in the tanks of a Cessna.)
Now, I wear fi rm-soled shoes to fl y, and carry an extra cushion for aircraft designed
for especially long-legged pilots. Carrying extra gear isn't always convenient, but it
makes me a more comfortable and better pilot.
6
FLIGHT TRAINING NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
A DIFFERENT AIRPLANE,
OR A FEW ACCESSORIES
IN YOUR FLIGHT BAG, CAN
MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN
YOUR COMFORT, SAFETY,
AND READINESS TO LEARN.
The search for the right fi t isn't limited
to your physical size. Pilots with mobility
issues may prefer stepping into a highwing
airplane over climbing onto a low
wing. Those who can't work the rudder
pedals may opt for an Ercoupe or another
model modifi ed with hand controls.
Trouble climbing up to check the fuel on a
Cessna? Consider a folding stool. Can't tow
your Bonanza over the lip of the hangar by
hand? Invest in a motorized tug.
Many of these solutions cost money,
of course. But you're not bound to accept
the circumstances of your fi rst fl ight
lesson. A diff erent airplane, or a few
accessories in your fl ight bag, can make a
big diff erence in your comfort, safety, and
readiness to learn. (See " The Stuff You
Keep " on p. 18 for more suggestions for
gear that can help make your training go
more smoothly.) As much as fl ight training
is a mental exercise, it's also a physical
endeavor. It's important to approach each
lesson in the right headspace-but it's just
as important to have your eyes over the
panel and your feet on the fl oor. FT
ment in Piper Cherokee 140s that we
trained in ( " Always Learning: Bell Curve, "
November/December Flight Training).
Thankfully the family Twin Comanche
had an adjustable pilot seat and extra
cushions were not required.
On the flip side, there was a question
on the Airworthy Comanche Forum from
a new Twin Comanche owner who asked
why he kept getting bald spots on the
tires. I made a guess that his feet might
be hitting the toe brakes and asked what
size shoe he wore. Problem solved with
moving his feet farther down on the
rudder pedals.
Patricia Hayne Keefer
Trophy Club, Texas
IT'S A JUNGLE
OUT THERE
Thank you so much for Ian J. Twombly's
article ( " It's a Jungle Out There, " November/December
2022 Flight Training)
regarding midair collision avoidance.
I lost my CFI at McClellan-Palomar
airport (CRQ) in Carlsbad in 2002, which
resulted in three fatalities. It took me
years to get the courage to return to flight
training. I lost not only a great CFI, but a
great friend; two other families lost their
loved one too. This is a topic that just
cannot be stressed enough and one that
so many pilots take for granted. Thank
you again for this sad, but important
reminder!
Chris Anderson
Fresno, California
ERRATUM
The cruising altitude for the Cessna Citation
in " Career Pilot " (January/February
Flight Training) was 34,000 feet. Flight
Training regrets the error.
BELL CURVE
As a 5'4 " female who learned to fly from
her 5'2 " Women in Aviation International's
Hall of Fame mother (Marion P.
Jayne) with a 5' 1.5 " sister, seat cushions
were a part of everyone's standard equipWe
welcome your comments. Please email
flighttraining@aopa.org. Comments will be
edited for style and space.
FLIGHT TRAINING MARCH/APRIL 2023
5
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Flight Training - March/April 2023

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