Eyes Outside

A simple tip from Paul: “Eyes Outside.”

It’s a term often used in aviation, but it has huge value under canopy too, especially when it comes to improving your flare.

So what does it mean?

As you’re on final approach, you should already be focused on a few key things: flying a straight, predictable line, avoiding radical last-minute corrections, and maintaining a consistent airspeed before your flare.

“Eyes outside” means keeping your head up and your eyes looking out toward the horizon, rather than straight down at the ground.

Why does that matter?

Because it helps you stay in a better ready position as you approach flare height, while also improving your depth perception. Looking forward gives you far more useful peripheral information than staring straight down… which can help you better judge the right time to flare.

So next time you’re on final, think less about looking down and more about looking ahead.

Chin forward. Chest forward. Eyes towards the horizon.

Paul Dorward Flight-1 Sport Director