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5 Mistakes Every Student Pilot Makes At Least Once

This story was made in partnership with AOPA. Ready to join the largest aviation community in the world? Sign up and become an AOPA Member today.

We've all been there! Here are 5 common mistakes just about every student pilot has made in their flight training.

1) Focusing too much attention inside vs. outside.

It can be easy to overfocus on your panel. Spend enough time looking outside scanning for traffic and using the horizon to maintain your plane's attitude. Try covering your PDF and fly by just looking outside for a few minutes!

Corey Komarec

2) Continuing an unstable approach.

Learning a safe go/no-go point for continuing an approach to landing is tough. It's easy to attempt to "save" bad approaches well past the point of a normal go-around. If things aren't going well, make your decision early and go-around.

Boldmethod

3) Rushing (skipping) checklist items.

Checklists are vital. Even when you feel rushed, take your time to complete your checklists.

Swayne Martin

4) Exiting the runway just a little too fast.

Especially in cases when ATC requests an expedited exit from the runway, it's easy to exit a little fast. Airplanes are just like tricycles, and they don't corner well.

Boldmethod

5) Over-controlling the airplane.

Over-correcting for mistakes further aggravates the situation. Try to make small adjustments, wait a second for the result, then make another small adjustment.

Boldmethod

What mistakes did you make during training? What have you seen as a CFI? Tell us in the comments below.


Ready to join the largest aviation community in the world? Sign up and become an AOPA Member today.


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