Private Pilot (Airplane)

Flight Training Syllabus

Pre-Solo Training Lesson 1 Dual-Local

The first lesson consists of familiarization with the airplane and its operating procedures, the sensations of flight, the local flight area, and the use of controls and instruments. The following items should be covered in nontechnical terms:


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Pre-Solo Training Lesson 2 Dual-Local

 

During the second lesson, the student should learn to perform the four basic flight maneuvers: straight and level, turns, climbs, and descents without assistance, and slow flight and power-off stalls under the direction of the instructor.

 


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Pre-Solo Training Lesson 3 Dual-Local

 

During this lesson, the student should attain reasonable proficiency and learn to perform the four basic flight maneuvers, slow flight, power-off stalls, and simple coordination exercises without assistance. From now on, the student should be responsible for the preflight inspection, starting, radio communication, taxiing, and parking without direction from the instructor, except in case of unusual circumstances or in new, unfamiliar situations.

 


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Pre-Solo Training Lesson 4 Dual-Local

 

During this lesson, the student should achieve the ability to recognize and recover smoothly from stalls without direction, fly prescribed patterns by ground references, and execute a traffic pattern and landing approach with the instructor's direction. The instrument training hood should be introduced.

 


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Pre-Solo Training Lesson 5 Dual-Local

 

This lesson is a review of the flight maneuvers and procedures already covered in preparation for serious work on takeoffs and landings and on traffic pattern operation. Reasonable proficiency in all coordination, airspeed control, and ground reference maneuvers should be achieved before takeoff and landing practice is initiated.

 


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Pre-Solo Training Lesson 6 Dual-Local

 

Concentrated practice of takeoffs and landings should begin with this lesson. Reviews of previously introduced flight maneuvers should be practiced, and steep turns, accelerated stalls, and recovery from unusual attitudes should be introduced.

By the completion of this lesson, the student should be able to make directed takeoffs and landings without assistance on the controls. Simulated forced landings should be introduced at unannounced points during this lesson, and hereafter.

 


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Pre-Solo Training Lesson 7 Dual-Local

 

Crosswind takeoffs and landings, as well as slips, should be added to the practice of normal takeoffs and landings. At the completion of this lesson, the student should be able to make unassisted takeoffs and landings and fly reasonably precise traffic patterns.

Short reviews of previously covered maneuvers should be introduced occasionally during takeoff and landing practice.

 


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Pre-Solo Training Written Examination



This examination satisfies FAR 61.87(b) and must be completed before the first solo flight. The test covers applicable regulations from FAR parts 61 & 91 and the flight characteristics and operational limitations of the specific aircraft type to be soloed. The test cannot be failed, but serves to demonstrate "satisfactory knowledge" to the instructor or uncover areas of confusion. The completed exam should be reviewed during the ground instruction session prior to the first solo flight.
1. Describe the limitations to student pilot solo flight regarding passengers, flight or ground visibility, instructor endorsements, distance from the departure airport, and TCA's:.





2. Describe the limitations placed on a pilot regarding alcohol and drug use:




3. Describe right-way-rules considering powered airplanes converging head on, at right angles, passing, and maneuvering in the traffic pattern. Also consider an encounter with a glider or an aircraft in distress in the traffic pattern:






4. ATC light signals:

Color & type of signal: Meaning on surface: Meaning in flight:
Steady green: : :
Flashing green: : :
Steady red: : :
Flashing red: : :
Flashing white: : :
Alternating red / green: : :


5. On return to Fort Worth Spinks airport, what controlling agengy must you contact?

6. Describe the significance of the following airspeed markings:
White arc:
Green arc:
Yellow arc:
Red line / Vne:

7. What is maneuvering speed and how is it affected by aircraft weight?



8. What is the significance of the recommended glide speed?


9. What effect do flaps have on climb performance?


10. What effect does a tailwind have on landing performance?

11. Who is the manufacturer of your airplane engine?


12. What is the horsepower of your engine?


13. How many quarts of oil are required for flight?

14. What is carburetor heat?


15. What effect does carburetor heat have on engine power?


16. How can you recognize an impending stall?

17. What corrective actions must you take upon recognizing an impending stall?


18. If your engine fails just after lift off what actions will you take?


19. What does the acroynm GUMP mean?

20. What is the "lost comm" transponder squawk code?


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Pre-Solo Training Lesson 8 Dual & Solo-Local

At the completion of the dual portion of this lesson, the student should have achieved reasonable proficiency in all of the previous flight training maneuvers. The student should be able to make safe takeoffs and landings consistently without assistance or direction, and recover from poor approaches and bad bounces. The ability to solve all ordinary problems to be encountered on local flights should be evident. All requirements required by FAR 61.87 should be met including the completion of the pre-solo written exam.

Three solo flights are recommended during the first solo period, if observed performance is satisfactory, to build the student's confidence. No further solo flights should be authorized until after a rest period and further dual review of basic maneuvers.

 


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Post-Solo Training Lesson 9 Dual & Solo-Local

 

The introduction of and instruction in additional maneuvers and procedures should continue after the first solo flights. Progressively higher standards of performance should be required for maneuvers previously learned.

This lesson should consist of a review of pre-solo flight maneuvers, and the introduction and practice of maximum performance takeoffs and climbs, precision turns and precision 180o and 360o approaches. In addition, four or five solo flights in the traffic pattern should be permitted, depending on the student's performance. At the completion of this lesson the student should be ready for "Phase check 1" to be followed by local solo in the familiar practice areas after the two instructors concur.

 


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Post-Solo Training Lesson 10 - Phase Check Dual-Local

 

This lesson is the student's first of two independent evaluations by a second instructor. The purpose of this phase check is: 1. To help the student's regular instructor with a second opinion on the student's performance. 2. To suggest, perhaps untried, approaches in the student's weakest areas. 3. To help prepare the student for flight with a designated examiner.

Except for the magnetic compass segment, all of the maneuvers in this lesson should be review for the student. This phase check cannot be "failed". At its completion, the student should be ready for local solo flights outside the traffic pattern in areas assigned by his regular instructor.

 


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Post-Solo Training Lesson 11 Solo-Local

 

Provided conditions allow, this is the first lesson the student is permitted to solo without previous dual checkout. It should include the practice of specified maneuvers and procedures within assigned practice areas, and normal takeoffs and landings. At its completion, the student should have confidence and a sense of ease in flight which will make him receptive to new areas of instruction.

 


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Post-Solo Training Lesson 12 Dual & Solo-Local

 

This lesson should be approximately equally divided between dual and solo flight. At its completion, the student should have demonstrated his ability to maneuver and land the airplane confidently without direction or assistance, and be prepared for cross-country instruction.

 


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Cross-Country Training Lesson 13 Dual/Cross-Country

 

This lesson should be approximately equally divided between ground instruction and dual flight instruction. Flight preparation should be thorough, and each step carefully explained to the student. The out-and-back flight should be made over an approximate one-hour course.

The private pilot written should be completed by this point.

 


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Cross-Country Training Lesson 14 Solo-Local

 

This lesson includes solo practice on flight maneuvers, takeoffs and landings, and the use of navigational radios.

 


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Cross-Country Training Lesson 15 Dual/Long Cross-Country

 

This lesson should be a triangular flight requiring approximately 3 hours of flight time, using pilotage, dead reckoning, and radio navigation. At the completion of this lesson the student should be prepared for VFR navigation over unfamiliar courses, and have the ability to cope with common cross-country emergencies.

 


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Cross-Country Training Lesson 16 Dual-Local

 

This lesson concentrates on procedures appropriate to possible cross-country flight emergencies in preparation for extended solo cross-country flights. At its completion, the student should be competent in coping with common navigation and weather emergencies encountered on solo cross-country flights.

 


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Cross-Country Training Lesson 17 Solo/Cross-Country

 

The first solo cross-country flight should be a "round robin" over a relatively simple course to an unfamiliar airport just over 50 nautical miles away. A VFR flight plan should be filed when feasible.

 


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Cross-Country Training Lesson 18 Solo/Cross-Country

 

This lesson provides additional cross-country experience, with emphasis on unfamiliar airport procedures. A 3 hour "round robin" to two new airports at least 50 nautical miles from each other should be arranged.

 


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Cross-Country Training Lesson 19 Solo/Long Cross-Country

 

This solo cross-country should be so planned as to meet the private certification requirement for the long cross-country. Landings must be made at three airports, one of which is at least 100 nautical miles from the point of departure. The flight must cover at least 300 nautical miles. A flight plan should be filed and the preflight briefing by the instructor should be particularly thorough. Anticipate 5 hours for this flight. With the preceding two solo cross-countries included, the requirement for solo cross-country flight time of 10 hours to airports at least 50 nautical miles from the home field should be met.

This lesson may be switched with Lessons 20 or 21, when required by weather or scheduling problems. The second phase check should be scheduled to follow this cross-country, but it is not necessary to cancel it if the cross-country is delayed. The phase check instructor will take circumstances into consideration during his flight with the student.

 


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Proficiency Lesson 20 - Phase Check Dual-Local

 

Active preparation for the private pilot flight test begins with this lesson. The FAA Private Pilot Flight Test Guide should be used for guidance on the procedures and standards to be applied to all flight maneuvers. The phase check instructor will give an independent evaluation to the student and the student's instructor so that they might make effective and efficient preparations for the flight test. The student should not "prep" extensively for this phase check as this might defeat the purpose of pointing out where further dual and solo practice might be best spent.

 


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Proficiency Lesson 21 Dual-Night Local

 

This lesson familiarizes the student with the special considerations and problems characteristic of flight at night. Due to circumstances, the student may already have considerable exposure to night flying. This lesson is meant as a check-list to insure that any areas not yet covered will receive attention. It is recommended that the period start in twilight so the student has experience in the transition from daylight to night flight conditions.

 


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Proficiency Lesson 22 Dual & Solo-Local

 

This lesson is dual and solo flights as necessary to bring the student to flight test standards in all preflight and airport operations, including takeoff and landings.

 


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Proficiency Lesson 23 Dual & Solo-Local

 

This lesson is dual and solo flights as necessary to bring the student to flight test standards in all basic airwork and navigation. At its conclusion, the student should be ready for his final lesson with the instructor.

 


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APPLICANT'S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST

 

 

Proficiency Lesson 24 Dual Recommendation

This lesson should consist of the private pilot practical test, conducted by the instructor exactly as such test are conducted by examiners. The student should be able to perform all required procedures and maneuvers in accordance with the current Private Pilot - Practical Test Standards edition.

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