While it's fun to hear about how we instructed "back in '88", please remember that the regulations governing flight, at least in the USA, are laws, not techniques! Just as you can get a ticket for going 60 in a 55 MPH zone while driving your car, you can also get a ticket for going over 250 knots below 10,000 feet in your Mustang. That's just an example of the simplest rules/regulations/laws, etc. I'm sure you get what I mean.
The upshot of this is that for those interested in flying in the USA, you can get all this information FREE at
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_polic...a_regulations/
I recommend you check the link :"Read 14 CFR Part 91" on the right side of that page to see all the current fundamental rules in effect according to the FAA, (Not according this tired old retiree!)
To see more of the "Nuts and Bolts" of flying in the USA, pull up
http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publi.../aim/index.htm
for the Aeronautical Information Manual (Used to be called the Airman's Information manual) so everyone still calls it the "AIM". This points out the proper way to get things done while driving your P-51D Mustang in good weather and bad.
We have lots of advice and stories to tell here on the CLoD site, but for the official straight skinny on actual flying, go to the FAA... you helped pay for it! I suspect CLoDders from other nations have similar sites sponsored by your own governments.