EPISODE · Mar 3, 2026 · 29 MIN
Teaching High-Performance Transitions with Matt Speare
from More Right Rudder · host National Association of Flight Instructors
Transitioning into high-performance aircraft is more than a horsepower upgrade. It’s a fundamental shift in planning, energy management, and mindset. In this episode of More Right Rudder, host Sarah Staudt is joined by Matt Speare, CFI/CFII (airplane and helicopter), two-time Master Flight Instructor, and President of the Lancair Owners and Builders Organization. Together, they explore the challenges pilots and instructors face when moving from trainer-style aircraft into faster, cleaner, and less forgiving machines. Many modern instructors never encounter high-performance aircraft during their own training. As a result, the first exposure often comes later in a pilot’s career, sometimes without the structured transition training these airplanes demand. Speare and Staudt break down why speed changes everything and how being “five miles behind the airplane” can quickly become a safety issue. Whether you’re an instructor preparing to teach in high-performance aircraft or a pilot considering your next step up the performance ladder, this episode highlights why standardized training, disciplined planning, and deep aircraft knowledge are critical to safe operations. If you aren't already a NAFI member, join us today at https://nafimentor.org. Use code PODSAVE5 to save $5 on your NAFI membership.
What this episode covers
Transitioning into high-performance aircraft is more than a horsepower upgrade. It’s a fundamental shift in planning, energy management, and mindset. In this episode of More Right Rudder, host Sarah Staudt is joined by Matt Speare, CFI/CFII (airplane and helicopter), two-time Master Flight Instructor, and President of the Lancair Owners and Builders Organization. Together, they explore the challenges pilots and instructors face when moving from trainer-style aircraft into faster, cleaner, and less forgiving machines. Many modern instructors never encounter high-performance aircraft during their own training. As a result, the first exposure often comes later in a pilot’s career, sometimes without the structured transition training these airplanes demand. Speare and Staudt break down why speed changes everything and how being “five miles behind the airplane” can quickly become a safety issue. Whether you’re an instructor preparing to teach in high-performance aircraft or a pilot considering your next step up the performance ladder, this episode highlights why standardized training, disciplined planning, and deep aircraft knowledge are critical to safe operations. If you aren't already a NAFI member, join us today at https://nafimentor.org. Use code PODSAVE5 to save $5 on your NAFI membership.
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Teaching High-Performance Transitions with Matt Speare
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