Master Flight from the Ground: The Power of Chair Flying

You’re all going to hear your flight instructors talk about ‘Chair Flying’ at some point in your training, if you haven’t already. You might dismiss it at first but the sooner you understand how powerful a tool it is in helping you succeed AND in saving you money, the better you’ll be able to make it a core part of your training. Unlike a lot of things when it comes to your flight training, IT’S ABSOLUTELY FREE. But just because it’s free, don’t underestimate its value. You’ll find it priceless soon. If you happen to be finding the early stages of flight training overwhelming, you’re not alone. This is where chair flying becomes an invaluable tool for student pilots. You can overcome this feeling of overwhelm by ingraining the steps of your maneuvers from home or pretty much anywhere else. It’s a critical part of the Navy Blue Angels squadron’s daily routine (See the must-watch video on that later), so we feel like it’s safe to say that it will help you immediately.

The Blue Angels mentally AND physically (see green arrows) rehearse every single aspect of their demonstration flights from startup to shutdown.

So, What is Chair Flying?

Chair flying is a mental and physical rehearsal technique used in aviation training. It allows pilots to internalize and perfect procedures by going through each step while seated on the ground. By visualizing the cockpit, physically moving your hands as if manipulating the controls, and verbalizing each action, you ingrain the correct sequence of events. This practice helps build muscle memory and confidence, leading to more efficient and effective training in the air.

Why Chair Fly?

Chair flying helps eliminate hesitation and uncertainty. By practicing on the ground, you free up mental bandwidth in flight, allowing you to focus on external factors such as traffic, weather, and ATC communications. Additionally, chair flying significantly reduces training costs by allowing you to refine maneuvers outside of expensive flight hours.

How to Chair Fly Effectively

To maximize the benefits of chair flying, follow these structured steps:

1. Set Up Your Space

   • Find a quiet area with a chair and, if possible, a printed or digital cockpit reference.

   • Use a flight control schematic or even a mock cockpit setup to add realism.

2. Visualize the Environment

   • Close your eyes and picture yourself inside the aircraft.

   • Imagine the control panel, yoke or stick, throttle, and surrounding environment.

3. Step Through Each Procedure

   • Verbally call out each step as if performing the maneuver in the air.

   • Physically move your hands to simulate clearing turns, control inputs, switches, flap settings, and gauge reading.

   • Rehearse procedures such as:

     • Traffic Pattern Operations – Practice calls, power settings, and turning points.

     • Slow Flight – Focus on pitch, power, and control coordination.

     • Power-On Stalls – Emphasize the takeoff configuration, recognizing stall indications.

     • Power-Off Stalls – Simulate approach to landing scenarios and recovery techniques.

     • Steep Turns – Work on sight picture, bank angle control, power settings, and timing smooth rollouts.

4. Repeat Until Flawless

   • True mastery means you can chair fly a procedure with perfect recall and perfect physical repetition.

   • You should be able to visualize each step, verbalize it, and perform the motions fluidly.

The Navy Blue Angels’ Approach to Chair Flying

Even elite pilots use chair flying to maintain precision. The Navy Blue Angels practice team chair flying before each flight, sitting together and physically moving through each maneuver in perfect synchronization. This level of preparation ensures flawless execution in high-pressure environments. Check out this YouTube video to see their chair flying process in action. It starts at about 1:00 but we highly recommend watching the entire video and emulating this sort of preflight every time you go up.

Signs You Have Mastered Chair Flying

You know you’ve truly mastered a maneuver when:

• You can see every step of the procedure in your mind.

• You can speak through the entire sequence without hesitation.

• You can physically move through each motion instinctively.

• The process is so internalized that in the air, distractions and stress don’t disrupt your execution.

The Benefits of Chair Flying

• Speeds up your progress – Your time in the cockpit becomes more productive.

• Ingrains procedures permanently – Helps develop automatic responses in critical situations.

• Saves money – Reduces the need for excessive repetition in the air, cutting down on training costs.

Conclusion

Chair flying is a simple yet EXTREMELY powerful tool that can accelerate your training, boost confidence, and save you money. By incorporating this technique into your study routine, you’ll find that your time in the cockpit becomes smoother and more efficient. So, take a seat, close your eyes, and start flying—right from the ground!