Episode 70: Teaching the hard parts of CFI training, flying smarter IFR approaches, and understanding what your instruments are really telling you — a practical January 2026 reset for instructors and pilots.
Sat Jan 31 2026
This episode focuses on how to teach the hard parts of flight training and how to fly with a deeper understanding of what the airplane and instruments are actually doing.
We preview Mike Shiflett's upcoming presentation at the Redbird Migration Flight Training Conference, where he'll be covering how to teach the fundamentals of instructing, use scenarios and flowcharts effectively, and adapt the same lesson to different learner levels. We also share updates on new CFI Bootcamp offerings, including Online Ground Instruction, Remote Private Pilot Ground School, and the release of IFR Smart Study Pro.
You'll hear detailed explanations of instrument concepts that are often misunderstood, including how a localizer works differently from a VOR, why OBS selection behaves differently, and how CDI sensing actually determines left/right course guidance. The episode also dives into commonly missed teaching points in chandelles, including proper power application and rudder usage during rollout.
We close with practical IFR and CFI ProTips you can apply immediately, covering CDI bracketing, glideslope control techniques, and estimating distance on a standard 3° glidepath.
This is flight training explained from an instructor's perspective — focused on clarity, technique, and real understanding, not rote procedures.
In this episode:
Teaching the hard parts of initial CFI training
Using scenarios and flowcharts to teach ratings and endorsements
Adapting lessons to different learner levels
Online Ground Instruction and Remote PPL Ground School updates
IFR Smart Study Pro overview
How a localizer actually differs from a VOR
OBS and HSI setup best practices
Chandelles: power and rudder techniques most pilots miss
CDI bracketing for course tracking
Flying the glideslope with pitch, not power
Estimating distance using a 3° glidepath
More
This episode focuses on how to teach the hard parts of flight training and how to fly with a deeper understanding of what the airplane and instruments are actually doing. We preview Mike Shiflett's upcoming presentation at the Redbird Migration Flight Training Conference, where he'll be covering how to teach the fundamentals of instructing, use scenarios and flowcharts effectively, and adapt the same lesson to different learner levels. We also share updates on new CFI Bootcamp offerings, including Online Ground Instruction, Remote Private Pilot Ground School, and the release of IFR Smart Study Pro. You'll hear detailed explanations of instrument concepts that are often misunderstood, including how a localizer works differently from a VOR, why OBS selection behaves differently, and how CDI sensing actually determines left/right course guidance. The episode also dives into commonly missed teaching points in chandelles, including proper power application and rudder usage during rollout. We close with practical IFR and CFI ProTips you can apply immediately, covering CDI bracketing, glideslope control techniques, and estimating distance on a standard 3° glidepath. This is flight training explained from an instructor's perspective — focused on clarity, technique, and real understanding, not rote procedures. In this episode: Teaching the hard parts of initial CFI training Using scenarios and flowcharts to teach ratings and endorsements Adapting lessons to different learner levels Online Ground Instruction and Remote PPL Ground School updates IFR Smart Study Pro overview How a localizer actually differs from a VOR OBS and HSI setup best practices Chandelles: power and rudder techniques most pilots miss CDI bracketing for course tracking Flying the glideslope with pitch, not power Estimating distance using a 3° glidepath