When you can't remember the rules of thumb use T.L.A.R.
"That Looks About Right".
I have found that students who use rules of thumb tend to be very robotic in the cockpit. Try to feel what the aircraft is doing using your eyes, ears, and seat of your pants.
Keep the rules of thumb in your back pocket for when you fly IFR.
Last edited by heloguy412; 3rd Feb 2011 at 17:34.