So in an aeroplane pitch+power=performace. In a decent towards the runway, if you feel you are descending too quickly, add a touch of power to arrest the descent rate. If you are not descending quickly enough, remove some power to increase the descent rate. However, maintain the desired approach speed by adjusting your pitch up or down as required. If you are too fast, pitch up slightly, or too slow, pitch down slightly. Maintain the 65kts approach speed in the Cessna 172, then as you approach the threshold bring the power back to idle and gently bring the nose up to arrest the descent rate and bleed off the remaining airspeed. Holding it off until the main wheels touch the ground. Your job as pilot is to keep the aeroplane flying for as long as possible. It will land when it’s ready. On final approach, unless a large power change is made, don’t worry too much about continuous trimming.
Once you are visual with the runway disconnect the autopilot. It’s always more fun to fly manually and visually in a small aeroplane. Use the autopilot to help you with ILS approaches in poor visibility etc.
Whenever a power adjustment is made, you will need to either trim up or down slightly to maintain your desired pitch (attitude). Try increasing and reducing your speed while maintaining the same altitude. To increase speed, you will increase power and to maintain your altitude you will have to lower the nose slightly to avoid a climb. Finally you will trim nose down to relieve the forward pressure on the stick or yoke. To slow down, you will reduce power while maintaining backwards pressure on the stick or yoke to maintain altitude, then trim off the pressure.
There are lots of really helpful resources out there. This is all about getting to grips with the essentials of ‘attitude flying’.
