ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Method matters in flight training. And while it is true “an airplane is an airplane” they can be flown differently—and difference matters. So when choosing a flight school it is very important to find out what method is being taught at the school and if the instructors are standardized in their teaching method. 

Presently there are 2 different methods being taught in U.S. flight schools. One is the old “Stick and Rudder” method which has been the go-to method in general aviation since the 1940’s. It can best be described as airspeed flying. The second method which is popular among professional pilots is attitude flying. 

​

At JB Aeronautics we teach attitude flying exclusively. The reasons are many. First, it is the natural way to fly an airplane in that you learn how to control the airplane’s flight path using the pitch attitude of the airplane like sighting down a gun barrel. And to land the airplane you learn how to aim and control the airplane with precision during the approach and landing. When you pull the nose up you go up, push the nose down you go down, and when you add power you go faster. Whereas in airspeed flying, you are taught how to control the airplane’s flight path (glide path) using the throttle and by memorizing power settings. So when you add power you go up, reduce the power you go down, and when you push the nose down you simply go faster—which is the complete opposite of attitude flying. So you see it is very important which method you choose to learn. 

​

Now before you try to decide on a flight school based simply on this limited information, know that every airline pilot and military pilot in the world uses the attitude flying method. The only airplanes still being flown today using the airspeed method are small general aviation airplanes. And while the airspeed flying method will work in these airplanes, it will not work in large or high performance airplanes. Only the attitude flying method can be used effectively in all airplanes. 

​

So which method is better? Attitude flying of course! But there must be a good reason why so many flight schools still teach airspeed flying rather than attitude flying; and that is because it’s easier to teach. But in this case easy is not better—especially in terms of safety, airplane control and pilot confidence.

​

An attitude pilot, like an aerobatic pilot, can make an airplane do what they want in almost every flight condition with precision and confidence. Conversely, an airspeed pilot often needs ideal conditions to fly with any degree of precision or confidence. As a result, they often become known as fair weather weekend pilots that prefer to fly at familiar airports only. In other words, they know their limitations and wisely choose to fly only in good conditions due to their lack of confidence and fear that under certain adverse conditions they might lose control of the airplane. 

​

An attitude pilot on the other hand, is equipped to land and takeoff on short runways at unfamiliar airports in wind and turbulence, in either day or night conditions, and with absolute confidence in their ability to control their airplane. And that is what it takes to be pilot-in-command. Any method that does not equip you to do this is not worthy of your time and effort.