Stay on Course: 9 Flight Training Mistakes to Avoid
Learning to fly is an incredible journey, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Every student pilot experiences moments of frustration, self-doubt, and setbacks—but that’s all part of the process. Mistakes are inevitable, but they are also valuable lessons that shape you into a safer, more skilled pilot. Each flight, whether good or bad, brings growth, confidence, and progress.
To help you navigate the challenges of flight training, we’ve compiled a list of common mistakes student pilots make. Mastering these early on will make your training smoother. Of course, in the long run, it will help you become a confident and competent pilot.
Facing obstacles in your flight training? “Training Challenges: 12 Reasons Why Student Pilots Quit” offers insights and solutions to help you persevere.
1. Cognitive Tunnelling
Cognitive tunnelling occurs when a pilot gets overly focused on one task. Many student pilots fall into the trap of fixating, such as monitoring instruments, adjusting navigation settings, or making a radio call. Because of this, they lose awareness of the overall flight situation. It’s like getting tunnel vision, where you fixate on a single issue and lose the bigger picture.
You may fail to spot other aircraft, weather changes, or ATC instructions. While focusing on one thing, you might unintentionally descend, drift off course, or fly uncoordinated.
How to Avoid It
Constantly remind yourself to keep a wide mental picture of your altitude, airspeed, heading, nearby traffic, weather, and radio calls.
Scan, Don’t Stare – Use the “Lookout – Attitude – Instruments” (LAI) scan technique:
Regularly look outside for traffic and terrain.
Check the aircraft’s attitude visually, not just by instruments.
Scan instruments briefly and systematically.
Prioritise Flying First – Follow Aviate – Navigate – Communicate:
Aviate: Keep the aircraft under control first.
Navigate: Ensure you’re on the correct heading, altitude, and path.
Communicate: Only once you’re stable should you focus on radio calls or secondary tasks.
Your first solo flight is closer than you think. Learn how to prepare for this milestone and succeed in your flight training.
2. Talking Too Much, Saying Too Little
Many student pilots overcomplicate their radio transmissions, using long, unnecessary words instead of keeping them clear and concise. ATC needs quick, direct communication. Long-winded calls may create radio congestion and block other pilots.
If ATC can’t quickly interpret what you’re saying, it could lead to miscommunication. Besides struggling with radio calls can make you hesitant and flustered, affecting your confidence.
How to Avoid It
Follow the Standard Format – Every radio call should contain: Who you’re calling → Who you are → Where you are → What you want to do.
The following message is an example of wordy communication: “Hello, London Tower, this is G-ABCD, we are currently flying overhead the town at two thousand feet and we would like to request a join for landing on runway 27, please.”
Better reply: “London Tower, G-ABCD, 5 miles south at 2,000 feet, request join for Runway 27.”
Before keying the mic, think, and mentally structure your message to avoid hesitation and corrections. Ensure you’re not talking over someone else and listen to how experienced pilots phrase their calls. If you’re nervous, write down your planned radio call beforehand and practice saying it aloud. Confidence comes with repetition!
Nervous about your first ATC call? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Check out our guide to help you navigate your initial radio communications.
3. Abrupt Control Inputs
Beginners typically overcontrol the aircraft, making sharp, jerky, or excessive movements with the yoke or stick. Instead of smooth, gradual inputs, they push and pull aggressively, causing unstable flight, erratic altitude changes, and increased drag.
Abrupt inputs can make the aircraft rocky, uncomfortable, and hard to control. Constant, unnecessary corrections waste energy and reduce efficiency. Moreover, harsh control movements lead to bouncy or unstable approaches.
How to Avoid It
Flying is about small, measured adjustments, not big movements. And the best tip here is to practise flying with just your fingertips. It helps develop smoother control coordination
If you’re constantly fighting the controls, you’re not trimmed properly. Let go briefly—if the aircraft climbs, descends, or rolls, adjust the trim to maintain level flight without excessive input. The best pilots fly with a relaxed grip, making only minor inputs as needed. If your knuckles are turning white, you’re gripping too hard!
Curious about the physics of flight? “Mastering Flight: The 4 Forces Explained” breaks down the fundamental principles.
4. Omission of Pre-Flight Checks
Pre-flight checks are designed to ensure your aircraft is airworthy and ready for flight. However, some student pilots rush through them or skip steps, either due to overconfidence, distractions, or lack of understanding.
A skipped checklist could mean flying with an unsafe aircraft, leading to engine failure, control issues, or fuel mismanagement. Cutting corners in training can lead to relaxed safety habits that stay with you throughout your flying career.
How to Avoid It
Instead of seeing pre-flight checks as a chore, view them as a non-negotiable practice. Never assume the aircraft is safe just because it flew yesterday. Always check it yourself. Even experienced airline pilots follow strict checklists. No matter how well you think you know the aircraft, always verify each step with a checklist.
Give yourself enough time before your flight to complete thorough exterior and interior inspections. Focus on:
Fuel levels & quality (check for water or contamination).
Control surface freedom & security (move yoke/stick & check movement).
Tires & brakes (look for wear or leaks).
Oil & engine condition (ensure proper levels & no leaks).
Ensure safety and precision: “Beyond the Routine: Understanding Aviation Checklists” covers the importance of checklists and how to use them effectively. Discover best practices for checklist management, learn how to avoid common errors, and understand why these procedures are vital for every flight
5. Lack of Lesson Preparation
Flight lessons aren’t just about what happens in the air — what you do before the lesson is just as important. Some student pilots arrive without reviewing procedures, manoeuvres, or briefing materials. In the cockpit, they are unprepared and feel overwhelmed.
If you don’t understand what you’re practising, your instructor has to spend valuable time explaining things mid-flight, reducing hands-on learning. Lack of preparation means you’ll struggle more with manoeuvres, requiring extra lessons to master them.
How to Avoid It
Most flight schools provide syllabus outlines — review what you’ll be practising before you arrive. If a manoeuvre seems complicated, look for flight training videos online that explain and demonstrate it visually. Try writing down key steps for manoeuvres you struggle with— this reinforces learning and gives you a quick reference before each flight.
Go through procedures in your head or use chair flying:
Sit in a quiet place and imagine yourself going through each cockpit control movement step by step.
Speak out radio calls, checklist steps, and manoeuvre techniques as if you’re in the cockpit.
Discover how to enhance your flight training experience and build a strong relationship with your instructor in our article Pilot in the Making: Mastering Flight Training.
6. Poor Quality Headset
While quality headsets can be expensive, consider it an investment in your training. Good communication makes flying safer and more enjoyable. Yet many student pilots start training with cheap, low-quality headsets that cause poor audio, discomfort, and distractions.
Weak noise cancellation means engine and wind noise can drown out important radio calls and instructions. Uncomfortable headsets press too hard, cause ear pain, or make you sweat, leading to discomfort and loss of concentration. If you struggle with radio clarity early on, you might develop poor listening skills or misinterpret ATC instructions, leading to safety risks later.
How to Avoid It
If possible, try different models at your flight school or aviation shop before purchasing. Look for headsets with:
Active Noise Reduction (ANR) to block out engine noise.
Comfortable padding & adjustable fit for long flights.
Reliable microphone clarity for clear radio transmissions.
Store it in a protective case, keep the cords untangled, and check the battery (if ANR-equipped) before each flight.
7. Irregular Flight Training
Life gets busy, and scheduling conflicts or financial constraints can sometimes make regular flying difficult — but long gaps between flights can significantly impact retention and confidence. Moreover, relearning old skills in every session wastes valuable training time, making your journey to certification more expensive.
How to Avoid It
If financial or scheduling constraints prevent frequent training, explain this to your instructor. They can adjust lesson pacing to maximise your progress.
Aim to fly at least 2–3 times per week if possible. The more frequently you train, the faster you’ll develop muscle memory and decision-making skills. If scheduling regular flights is difficult, stay engaged by chair flying, using flight simulators to practise navigation and checklists, and watching instructional videos to keep concepts fresh.
Keep an eye on weather forecasts and book lessons in advance to maintain consistency. If your lesson gets cancelled due to weather, use that time for ground school or simulator practice.
8. Impaired Situational Awareness
Situational awareness (SA) is your ability to understand what’s happening around you — including your aircraft’s position, altitude, speed, nearby traffic, weather, and airspace restrictions. Without a full understanding of the conditions, you might make unsafe choices.
How to Avoid It
Instructors often cover your instruments with a sheet of paper during lessons to force you to fly visually. Try practising this technique yourself — it sharpens awareness!
Use the “Big Sky” Mentality – Constantly ask yourself:
Where am I? (Position & heading awareness)
What’s around me? (Traffic, terrain, weather, airspace conditions)
What’s next? (Upcoming manoeuvres, navigation, ATC instructions)
Keep Your Eyes Outside
The “90/10 rule” is a good habit: 90% of your time scanning outside, and 10% checking instruments. Always look before turning and scan for traffic at all times.
Anticipate Situations Before They Happen
Expect ATC instructions before they arrive. Think ahead about navigation waypoints, altitude changes, and possible diversions. Be prepared for changing weather and traffic flow.
Sharpen your judgment in the cockpit: “Decision-Making: 8 Key Scenarios for Pilots” explores critical situations and provides valuable insights to help you make sound choices under pressure.
9. Incorrect Altitude Judgment
Altitude control is another common challenge in early training. Many student pilots struggle with maintaining correct altitude during different phases of flight. Constant altitude deviations cause extra drag, unnecessary control corrections, and increased workload. Misjudging altitude on the final approach can lead to hard landings, go-arounds, or floaty touchdowns. Poor altitude awareness can cause you to bust altitude restrictions.
How to Avoid It
Practising slow flight and power-off descents will help improve altitude control during landings. Don’t wait until you hit the exact altitude — start levelling off 10% of your vertical speed before reaching it. If climbing at 500 feet per minute, begin levelling off 50 feet before your target altitude.
If you struggle with approach altitude keep your aiming point steady on the windshield—if it moves up, you’re descending too fast; if it moves down, you’re too high.
Use a “Pitch-Power-Trim” Approach – When levelling off at cruise altitude:
Pitch – Smoothly adjust the attitude to stop climbing or descending.
Power – Reduce or increase throttle as needed.
Trim – Relieve control pressure so the aircraft holds altitude without constant yoke input.
Airhead's Takeaway
Every pilot makes mistakes — but what separates a great pilot from the rest is the ability to learn from them. By recognising and correcting these common errors early, you’ll develop better habits, improve your confidence, and progress faster in your training. Stay disciplined, keep learning, and most importantly—enjoy the journey to becoming a pilot!
Safe flying!
