Preparation is the key to anything and this is especially important in flying. Proper planning on the ground will make for a smooth, safe and enjoyable flight.

Plan each flight carefully. Use the latest weather reports and make provision for diversions if the weather turns foul.

Go over the flight the night before, recheck your flight plan and mark significant features along the route so you know in your mind what feature you should expect at a particular time during the flight.

Always follow the proper procedures before a flight - never just hop in and take-off to save time. Your passengers will understand.

Most importantly, be prepared not to fly if for some reason it is not safe, because of weather or a problem with the aircraft or the health of a passenger.

Do not give in to pressure to fly - you are the captain and the safety of your passengers is your primary responsibility.

2. Use the checklists

Most aircraft have a checklist and they are there for a reason, so always use them.

There are checklists for every aspect of a flight - from start-up to securing the aircraft, for downwind checks, diversions, emergency procedures.

You do not need to reinvent the wheel as these checklists have been developed from trial and error by pilots over a long period of time.

Even if you can remember the correct procedures, use the checklist to double check and take the pressure off yourself. It is easy to miss a small but critical step.

Your passengers won’t mind if you use a checklist. Most likely, they’ll be impressed that you are thorough and safety-conscious.

3. Small corrections

Many small corrections are better than few large ones. As you fly - especially coming into land - you will constantly make corrections, but the way you correct will have a big bearing on the quality of your flying and the comfort of your passengers.

As you turn onto final, if you are not quite lined up with the aim point, gently make corrections to get back into the right position as soon as possible. Don't fly down the wrong path and then rely on one large last-minute bank to get into position - steep banks at low-level is dangerous.

When flying cross country, constantly check your position against maps and outside features - if you find yourself drifting off track, make the smaller corrections to immediately get back on track. It's a lot easier than having to steer a whole new course later on in the flight.

Small corrections lead to a smooth, enjoyable flight.

4. Trim, Trim, Trim

If you always have to wrestle with the controls and you land with aching arms, you are not using the pilot's best friend - the trim wheel. A properly trimmed aircraft can be flown literally with your fingers lightly on the yoke. Get into the habit of trimming every time you change attitude or power settings. Take the time to trim correctly and the aircraft will naturally want to stay in straight and level flight.

If the aircraft has a rudder trim wheel, use it - it's a lot easier than flying with one foot on the rudder to centre the ball.

Learn this skill - it will make all the difference and leave you to concentrate on other aspects of flying.

5. Consistency

Every time you fly, do everything exactly the same.

From the pre-flight to the shutdown, follow the same routine

If you learn a pattern, you will instantly know if you have missed a step - something will feel out of step and this will help you remember all the really important checks and procedures.

Every step in a flight is important. Never miss a procedure, never skip a check, never take a shortcut. The rules are there for a reason!