Bad Habits

You've most likely heard that I'm big on the "Basics".  Not only in basic knowledge but also in basic stick skills.  Some bad techniques sneak by the instructor and sometimes the basic stick skills aren't being tough correctly.  Here are a couple of ideas that have worked for me.  (and work for both airplane and helicopter).

Leveling off from a climb, remember APT.  First set the Attitude.  Second set the power after the desired speed has been obtained.  Third, Airplanes, trim off the pitch pressure.  For helicopters, check your trim aka coordination.

Leveling off from a descent, remember PAT.  First Set the the Power.  Second set the Attitude.  Third, airplane trim trim off pitch pressure.  Helicopters, check your trim aka coordination.

Coordination:  Airplanes:  Aileron and rudder are used together.  The rudder is used of offset drag from the downward defected aileron.  You apply rudder with the aileron as you roll into the turn.  When the desired bank is reached, aileron and rudder are neutralized.  Lately Ive been seeing pilots holding rudder into the turn which results is a skidding turn.  Coordination problems are most noticeable (at least on check rides) when we have a high angle of attack at slow airspeed such as during take off, slow flight and power on stalls.  This adverse yaw comes from P-factor, torque and spiraling slip stream.  Anyway, we need to apply enough right rudder to keep the ball centered.  Some pilots try to correct for this by rolling the yoke to the right.

Helicopter pilot remember every time you raise and lower the collective you change power.  When you do that you have to adjust your peddle trim to keep coordination.  Down collective mean right peddle and up collective mean left peddle. 

Lastly, smooth control inputs.  I recognize that some of this is check ride nerves but lately I've had a pilot yank the airplane off the runway on a short field take off.  On the helicopter side of the house pilots are rushing the maneuvers when they shouldn't.  For example; Slope take off and landings.  Slow, smooth and deliberate control inputs generally yield the best results.    It helps if you relax and breath before you start.

Over to you!