Teaching Aerodynamics

berge7f9

berge7f9

Well-Known Member
There seems to be a fine line between the aerodynamics principles that one would teach to a private student and those which one should teach to a commercial student. I am looking for input from CFIs on what aerodynamic subjects are taught when etc stability, wake turbulence, load factor, maneuvering speed, downwash, upwash.
 
The subjects should be the same. Newton didn't discover different laws of physics for each PTS. Private pilots better know everything aerodynamically that a commercial pilot does, and vice versa.

However, you probably don't have to focus heavily on factors that affect aircraft that the pilot in question is not yet qualified to fly, i.e. Vmc for a SEL pilot, or aileron flutter or buzz for a pilot who flies a C172 VFR on Sundays.

:) Just my 2 cents.
 
i dont understand your question. You looking for the differences on what you would teach a commercial student as oppose to a private
 
Students of any discipline learn better when the know the reason why they are learning certain material. I suggest and do teach failry complex aerodynamics(maybe because i'm an aero engineer) from the start in order to instill a thorough understanding of just what bernouli was saying. However, i use examples and methods of simplifying ideas that will be comprehendable to people with various backgrounds...

-Kevin
 
As a commercial student you are taught advanced aerodynamics such as center of pressure, and the lift equation, just to name two. You probably won't see many CFI's teaching this to private pilots because of the simple fact that they are advanced theories. Although I know we don't teach just for the checkride, I have never heard of an examiner asking a private pilot applicant to explain these theories during their exam. All of the above is situational of course.

If you have a private student who will be moving right into instruments, and commercial you can introduce these theories early just to make the transition easier.
 
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