Private Pilot Training Tips, with Spencer Suderman - the four fundamentals of flight (episode 1)

What should you expect on your first flight lesson? Sporty’s has once again partnered with airshow pilot and flight instructor Spencer Suderman, this time for a new video series to answer questions like that. Each video addresses common flight training questions, including the basics of airplane control and how to make better landings. Suderman shares practical tips throughout, including during an actual lesson with a flight student.

In this episode, the first in the series, Suderman shows what to expect on a first flight lesson, from taxiing the airplane to talking with Air Traffic Control to takeoff. He also demonstrates the four fundamentals of flight - straight and level, climbs, descents, and turns - ad shows why a stall is nothing to be afraid of. You'll hear actual communications throughout the flight and learn valuable tips from an experienced flight instructor, so you'll be prepared for that first flight lesson.

00:00 Introduction
01:14 Taxiing and preflight checks
03:20 Takeoff
05:56 Four fundamental maneuvers
11:13 Power controls altitude
12:30 Stall demonstration
13:20 Conclusion

[thomashammett]

Thank you. I appreciate your videos on flying with instruction. Great job. Keep the videos coming.

[saulgood]

I wish you provided lessons in my area. It wouldn’t hesitate to learn from you. Video was very informative.

[Femur]

You’d be my instructor if I could do this.

[morthomer]

Yoke and pedal control is standardized, but not necessarily the throttle.
Why not?

[johnopalko]

Dude, that's not the threshold. That's the hold-short line*. Don't confuse the newbies.

*Technically, that's the runway holding position marking but everyone calls it the hold-short line.

[MadStrangler]

What are the odds I train in 814 and take that same route😂

[flymonkey]

Trim is for airspeed, not back pressure relief.

[warren]

Power controls altitude? Not true. When you increase power, it usually lowers the tail, which increases the angle of attack, which increases lift, which increases altitude. The increased lift vector increased the altitude. Pretty important to understand that it is the increased pitch that increased the altitude.

[wolpjame]

Too much of this is incorrect. Trim controls _attitude_, not altitude. Rudder is used during the roll, not during the turn. I stopped watching at this point...

[todda]

All glass cockpit yet he still needs a giant iPad and has it blocking his field of view. 🤨