Welcome to the Safety Section of the Flying Clubs Newsletter, Club Connector!
Each month, we provide valuable resources for flying club safety officers to keep their clubs informed and safe. This includes links to PowerPoint presentations (and shorter PDFs) that we use in our own meetings—so you always have a ready-to-go topic for your club’s next safety session. In addition to the presentations, we also offer links to relevant articles, videos, and other media that you may find useful. You can find this month’s safety article and the full archive here: https://youcanfly.aopa.org/flying-clubs/flying-club-newsletter/safety
Now, let’s dive into this month’s safety topic!
Stabilized Approach Power Point
Background:
This month, we’re talking about something every pilot—no matter what you fly—needs to keep sharp on: stabilized approaches and making smart, timely go-around decisions. These two things go hand-in-hand, and they’re critical whether you’re flying IFR in the soup or VFR on a clear day.
Stabilized Approaches Aren’t Just for the Big Boys
A lot of folks hear “stabilized approach” and immediately picture an airliner on final with the autopilot flying. But it’s not just an airline thing. The same principles apply when you’re flying a Cessna 172.
In the airline world, a stabilized approach usually means:
Sound familiar? It should—because even in smaller aircraft, that kind of setup helps you land safer and smoother. Sure, light planes give you a little more flexibility to make quick changes, but that doesn't mean you should need to.
Picture this: You’re on final, managing gusty winds. Everything’s good until right before the runway when your nice headwind turns into a gnarly crosswind, gusting to 15 knots. You're riding the throttle and fighting to stay lined up. At that point, ask yourself—does this feel right? If it doesn’t, go around. Don’t try to “make it work” when you know it’s getting sketchy.
Key Takeaways
Instructors—Let’s Talk
Too many instructors try to save bad approaches just to get the landing in. That’s not doing students any favors. If they’re unstable, call the go-around and teach them to respect that decision early on. Don’t let “get it on the ground” become the habit.
IFR vs. VFR Approach Tips
Don’t Let the Autopilot Fly the Whole Show
Autopilots are great, but you still need to be confident flying the approach by hand. If something doesn’t look or feel right, or the autopilot’s doing something goofy—just turn it off. Be the pilot, not the passenger.
And always have a plan for the go-around. Know your missed approach procedure. If you’re flying patterns, know where you’re headed if you need to climb out. Pre-setting frequencies like departure can save you valuable seconds if things get busy.
Final Word
Stabilized approaches and solid go-around habits make flying safer, period. It doesn’t matter what you fly or how experienced you are—being ahead of the airplane and ready to take action when things don’t feel right is what keeps you in control.
Practice it. Teach it. Live by it. You’ll fly safer, land smoother, and feel way more confident in the process.
Other Safety Resources:
Here’s a reminder of some of the safety resources available to all pilots:
FAASTeam:
Visit the FAASTeam website at faasafety.gov. This site offers a wealth of courses, videos, links, and more. The WINGS program encompasses both knowledge and flight activities, so use it as a way to stay proficient. It’s a progressive approach to flight reviews, earned over 12 months instead of just the usual 24-month period.
Don’t do WINGS yet?
You’re missing out! The WINGS program is a free pilot proficiency initiative that helps you stay safe and competent in your flying. It can also offer insurance discounts and, most importantly, provide a structured way to keep your skills sharp.
The FAASTeam WINGS program is the best way for general aviation pilots to stay competent, confident, and safe. And being consistently proficient will save you money in the long run.
If you’re interested in using the FAASTeam WINGS program for your personal flying or with your flying club, create an account on the FAASTeam website at faasafety.gov. If you have any questions or need guidance, feel free to contact me (Jason Levine, WINGS Representative), and I’d be happy to walk you through the program. You can learn more about WINGS for Clubs in Flying Clubs Radio Episode 8 and the May 2020 Question of the Month.
Other FAA Resources:
Don’t forget to regularly revisit these FAA safety gems, as new material is frequently added:
AOPA Air Safety Institute:
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute
AOPA’s Air Safety Institute (ASI), which by the way is funded by the AOPA Foundation just like the Flying Clubs Initiative, is packed with exceptional content, including exceptional videos, podcasts, accident analysis, online courses, recorded webinars and more. Completing ASI activities may also earn WINGS credits. Of particular interest to flying club safety officers is the updated Safety to Go section. There, you can download a selection of topics, each coming with PowerPoint slides and speaker’s notes!
