Common Mistakes Cirrus Pilots Make

What are the most common mistakes Cirrus pilots make during landing? In this COPA University safety briefing, Brian Turrisi, Dean of Flight Operations at COPA University, shares critical insights from over 11,000 hours of flight instruction and thousands of training flights with Cirrus pilots. Drawing from real-world data and training experience, Brian explains the most common pilot errors seen during traffic pattern operations, final approach, crosswind landings, and go-arounds. Landing accidents remain one of the leading causes of incidents in the Cirrus fleet, with more than 175 landing accidents occurring in the last five years. The good news is that many of these events are preventable with better technique, improved awareness, and disciplined stabilized approaches. In this video, you will learn: • Why unstable approaches are the #1 cause of landing accidents • The importance of proper rudder use and managing P-factor during flare and go-around • How to maintain altitude and airspeed control in the traffic pattern • Why pitch controls airspeed and power controls altitude on final approach • How to properly transition from crab to slip in crosswind landings • The correct go-around technique in a Cirrus SR20 or SR22 • How to recognize the correct runway sight picture for a stabilized approach • Why trying to salvage a bad landing is dangerous Brian also shares practical techniques used in COPA Pilot Proficiency Program (CPPP) training, including how to manage control inputs, stabilize the aircraft earlier on final, and develop the instinct to go around when the approach isn’t right. Whether you’re a new Cirrus pilot, an experienced owner, or preparing for recurrent training, these lessons can help you improve your landing consistency and become a safer and more confident pilot. #CirrusPilot #CirrusSR22 #COPAUniversity #AviationSafety #PilotTraining #FlightTraining #GeneralAviation #CrosswindLanding #GoAround #StableApproach 📍 Join the COPA Community Subscribe to @CirrusPilots for more Cirrus training videos, COPA University sessions, and other content from the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association. 📍 To become a better, safer pilot consider joining COPA https://www.cirruspilots.org 📍 For a one stop shop all the most critical Cirrus-related resources, check out https://copa.fyi 📍 For information about Cirrus Embark training: https://cirrusaircraft.com/embark/