If you’re new to Cirrus, you’ve likely never used the vast array of buttons and knobs that a Cirrus Perspective or Perspective Plus package provides. It is hugely important to establish where you put your hands, which buttons do what, and where they are located. Then translating that knowledge into muscle memory make for an increasingly intuitive placement of your hands where and when needed. Things like engaging the autopilot and its many modes or changing frequencies from the GCU become second nature after practicing in the sim.

From pre-flight to landing – There is a checklist for everything, and Cirrus stresses the importance of perfecting each. Following every step ensures the aircraft is correctly configured for every phase of flight. Whether checking your mixtures, selecting the right fuel tank, or improving your run-ups, each requires the utmost attention.

Cirrus teaches the uses of flows which are memory items found in many phases of flight, reinforced by the use of the checklists. Some of these flows include runup, climb, cruise, descent, and emergency procedures, where instructors will want you to know these from memory. Having a Cirrus simulator that allows for proper hand placement allows the development and memorization of these flows to become second nature in the real airplane.

Cirrus really emphasizes speed and attitude flying. Using a Cirrus simulator allows you to practice hitting both during various stages of flight. Learn how power and flap settings change the attitude of the aircraft. Learn how being too fast or too slow affects the approach and landing. Use the simulator to practice precise speed, and attitude control, and the underlying concepts will translate into the real aircraft allowing you to grease those landings! If you are new to Cirrus, you can expect to go through all this with your CSIP (Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot). So why not be ahead of the game and be comfortable with the Cirrus cockpit environment and have your flows, checklists, speeds, attitudes, and power settings mastered before ever getting in the airplane? That way, you aren’t fumbling with the controls and doubtful in your skillset, and you can actually focus on flying the plane. Use your time wisely with your CSIP to learn the plane’s characteristics instead of the mundane things like “where are those checklists again”!