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For New Student Pilots ONLY!
Note: This article
reflects ONLY the opinion of the author and of no other company or
individual(s) unless otherwise indicated
So, you're thinking about becoming a private pilot. I bet that you have more questions than answers
right now about becoming a private pilot. I hope to clear things up
for you in this article.
Tests
There are a number of tests that you will have to complete before becoming a
private pilot:
The Private Pilot Knowledge Exam
This exam is a standardized written test that checks your aeronautical
knowledge of flying, weather, flight planning, aerodynamics and human
factors concepts (health). The test comes from a bank of 650+
questions developed by the FAA. You are not expected to answer all
of these questions on the test, but may be required to answer 60 or more of
these possible questions.
If you like the classroom environment,
Ahart Aviation services
and Abrams Aviation
Seminars can help with such classes. These organizations will take
you through everything you need to know to pass the knowledge test as well
as practical, real-world examples of what it means to be a pilot.
If you are the kind of person that likes to prepare for their tests by
reading books or taking example tests, there
are a number of places where you can get info on preparing for this test
You will need to achieve a score of 70% or greater and can retake the
test as many times as you need. You will need to get an instructor's
endorsement to take or re-take the test and you can study for it using a
ground-school environment or self study.
Pre-Solo written test
This test is a written and/or Oral test that your flight instructor will
give you before you can fly 'alone' in an aircraft. Solo means that
you are the ONLY one in the aircraft and you will need to do this as part of
your training. The FAA requires you to complete a pre-solo written
test that includes topics like: Aerodynamics, aircraft systems, normal
flight procedures, in-flight emergency procedures and in-flight maneuvers.
Pre-Solo Aircraft test
Some flight schools require you to fill out an aircraft knowledge test
for each type of aircraft you plan on flying. Normally, you will use
the same make/model aircraft throughout your private pilot studies for
consistency's sake. This is a good practice since it will help you
stay acquainted with the aircraft throughout your training. After you become a
private pilot though, you will probably want to experience new types of
aircraft so you will probably be required to fill out one of these tests for
each type of aircraft you want to fly.
Here is an example
of such a test.
The FAA Practical test
- Oral Exam
This is where you sit down with an FAA examiner and discuss different
topics in aviation. This can include subjects like aerodynamics,
safety, cross-country flight planning, weather, FAA regulations, human
factors (health) and aircraft systems. This is a pretty
comprehensive oral test since the FAA wants to make absolutely sure that
you know your aircraft and everything about flying necessary to be safe.
The only way around this test is to STUDY. Here are some books
that can help out:
- Flight Test
This test is where you get into an aircraft with the FAA examiner and
show them your flying skills (you normally take this test right after
the Oral Exam given by the same examiner). You will have to do stalls, slow flight,
steep turns, normal and cross wind landings, ground reference maneuvers and much more. For
details, you can look at the private pilot test standards document to
see exactly what the examiner is looking for you to do.
Training
There are basically two methods used when teaching someone to learn to fly
coupled with checks along the way:
Ground School
You and your instructor will sit down and discuss aeronautical subjects
including what the instructor and student will be doing during each flight
lesson. A good method for doing this could include:
The Lesson
- A ground subject that applies to the days flight lesson
- An overview of what will be accomplished during the flight portion of the
lesson while still on the ground
- A flight demonstration given by the instructor in the aircraft
- The student performs the new skill taught to them by the instructor
- The instructor and student discuss the results of the flight portion of
the lesson once back on the ground
- An overview is given about the next lesson and what will be done
An example:
- What lifts an aircraft off the ground - aerodynamics of lift.
- Normal Take Offs, Power off stalls and Landings
- Demonstration by the instructor of a power-off stall (as many times as
the student feels they need)
- The student attempts the power-off stall a few times and then the tries
a few landings
- A discussion of how the student did while practicing their power-off stalls
and landings once on the ground
- Next lesson - Power on stalls and when/why they are used
Flight school
The demonstration, performance and evaluation of flight maneuvers, landings,
takeoffs, emergency procedures, occur during the flight portion of your lesson. During the ground portion
of the lesson a discussion of what will be done during the flight portion should
be completed and any questions answered. Normally, what is learned on the
ground is forgotten in the aircraft (especially for brand new students), but this
is normal and will change over time.
After the flight portion of the lesson, the instructor should sit
down with you to discuss what was attempted, accomplished and what
the results were. This should be a positive experience, if
not, let your instructor know so they may act to correct.
Stage Checks
Some flight schools will ask you to go though 'stage checks' to evaluate your
progress throughout the flight education process. This has a number of advantages
when compared with just letting the instructor teach the student without some sort of check
by another instructor.
- Other instructors get to see how you are progressing - this is
advantageous since more eyes the better when it comes to flight training.
- If the primary instructor has forgotten some topic of training, it will
be identified immediately
- Another opinion as to the level of the student's skills is documented
and the primary instructor informed to make sure the week areas are worked
on
Take my word for it, you DEFINITELY want to have another instructor look at
your progress - it adds insurance that you are where your instructor thinks you
are in your training. It also gets you ready for your check ride by
getting you used to being evaluated by another instructor.
Example stages
- Stage #1 is an estimate of the student's ability to fly the aircraft
well enough to be able to make solo flights.
- Stage #2 illustrates the students ability to fly cross country flights
and land/take-off from different types of runways (short and soft)
- Stage #3 will prepare and measure the student's ability to pass their
check ride
What do I need to get started?
Books
There are so many aviation books on the market today, it's difficult to know
which ones you might need. The titles below are what the FAA recommend.
With them, you will be able to answer almost any question an FAA examiner might ask
you during your FAA check ride.
The POH (Pilot Operating
Handbook) for the aircraft you plan on flying describes all of the systems
and operating procedures for that particular aircraft. It
is essential to your flight education since knowing your aircraft backwards
and forwards means safety.
These books can be
ordered through your flight school and should be studied to become very
familiar with their contents. You, as the pilot, are
responsible to make sure the aircraft you are flying is airworthy and ready to fly. To do this, you
need to understand aircraft systems as well as possible - this is the purpose of the Pilot
Operating Handbook (POH).
Flight Equipment
- Headset: Needed to allow you to hear the communication
radios in the aircraft along with other people flying
with you
- Kneeboards: Used to clip paper, charts and pens to your leg
during flight. You will accumulate so many
 cards,
documents and other accessories, you'll need somewhere to organize them.
The Kneeboard is what you use to contain all of this information.
- Aviation Computer: Used to calculate wind correction,
airspeed, altitude, fuel usage, etc. There are a couple
 types - mechanical (slide-rule type) and electronic (calculator type).
The FAA allows you to use any type for your written test, but your examiner may want to see you
use a mechanical computer.
In the aircraft though, my choice is an electronic computer (I keep a
mechanical one in my kneeboard though just in case).
- Approximate Cost: $20.00 for Mechanical, $80.00 for
Electronic. My favorite electronic computer:
ASA CX-2 Pathfinder
- Pilot Operating Handbook: Used to give you normal and
emergency procedures for the aircraft you have chosen to fly along with
aircraft capabilities and limitations.
Flight Schools
When choosing a flight school, you have a couple of choices.
Part 61
A Part-61 flight school is a school that abides by all of the rules detailed
in the Federal Aviation Regulations Part 61. The curriculum is less
structured than other types of flight schools, but also lends itself to a more
relaxed, friendly experience for the student.
Part 141
A Part-141 flight school can be thought of as a professional flight school.
I have heard people categorize Part 141 flight schools as 'certificate
factories' but the FAA likes these types of schools because their curriculum is
regulated more by the FAA. There is very little if any flexibility in the
flight education curriculum. If you want to get your license quickly and you don't
care much about comfort, a Part-141 school might be for you.
Part 61/141
Some flight schools (like
Ahart Aviation Services) can accommodate any type of student - part 61 or
part 141. These flight school merge the comfortable and more stringent
flight curriculums together for the best experience possible.
Costs
What is all of this going to cost you? Well, that all
depends on a number of factors:
- Total time to complete. The amount of time it's
going to take to finish up really defines the costs in training.
In other words, the more often you take lessons, the faster
you will be able to finish up since knowledge will not be easily lost.
- Minimum time to complete your certification is 40 hours
- Time for an average student is about 60 hours
- If you can come in 4 times a week, you might finish in
under 60 hours
- If you can only come in 1 time a week, you might be able
to finish in under 80 hours
- The Aircraft. The more advanced and the 'newer'
the aircraft you want to train in, the more it's going to cost
you. Examples:
- Cessna 152 (1970+), $50.00 to $80.00 per hour
- Cessna 172 (1970+), $70.00 to $90.00 per hour
- Cessna 172 (1998+), $90.00 to $120.00 per hour
- Cessna 182 (1998+), $140.00 to $170.00 per hour
The cost of the aircraft also depends on weather or not it is
delivered 'wet' or 'dry'. Dry means that the fuel must be
purchased by the student. Wet means that the flight school
pays for the fuel. A Dry aircraft usually costs less than
a wet aircraft. Wet is easier to deal with because you
don't have to worry about purchasing fuel.
- The Instructor. This all depends on the flight
school you attend.
- Average, about $40.00/hour
- Independent flight instructors normally charge more,
sometimes as much as $140.00/hour
- Equipment. One time costs of around $400.00 in
flight equipment and books.
So, with all of that said, an average cost to complete (in a
Cessna 152) is around $6,000.00 (assuming the average times indicated
above).
The Flight Lesson
The flight lesson is the center of all flight training - obviously. It
should also be a very enjoyable experience that helps you meet your goal of
becoming a private pilot.
Some Observations
- You will be VERY nervous on your first flight unless of course you have
flown in small aircraft before. But even if you have a lot of flying
experience, this is YOU at the controls - being nervous is natural.
- The instructor needs to put safety first and student satisfaction a
close second. If at any time you do not feel safe or comfortable, let
the instructor know immediately. If your flight instructor doesn't fix
the issue(s) immediately, find another instructor.
- Not all flight instructors yell at the student - only the insecure
ones
- You should enjoy learning to fly, not dread it
- The flight instructor needs to let you work the controls and
familiarize yourself with the aircraft - this is not a time for the
instructor to fly, it is a time for the student to fly
- Instructors are taught to instruct for safety and enjoyment.
The Flight
Instructor's handbook will help you familiarize yourself with
methods the FAA require of its flight instructors.
- You should land with a smile on your face
- Ups and downs (excuse the pun) are normal during a flight lesson.
I have almost two thousand hours of flying under my belt and I still have bad
days. It is normal to try something out for the first time and be
really bad at it. But, over time, if you are instructed correctly,
your skills will develop and you'll be able to complete every maneuver
easily.
- Every once in a while, ask your instructor to take you on a joy ride.
This doesn't mean that the instructor fly's, but that they take you on a
flight lesson where you are just having fun up in the air and not
necessarily drilling maneuvers. Flying is fun and sometimes you need a break.
Stage Checks/Tests
It is the job of the instructor to prepare you for your check ride. One
of the jobs of the FAA examiner is to distract you to the point where you might
fail in executing maneuvers or procedures while piloting the aircraft. You
need to be trained in such a way as to be able to handle ANY situation.
Stage checks or Stage tests are an effective way to prepare you for your
check ride with the FAA examiner. The instructor who conducts your stage
check should do so in such a way as to mimic the methods FAA examiners will use
to trip up the student during their check ride.
With all of that said, your stage check examiner should be pretty rough on
you during the test. They want to expose your weaknesses so as to correct
them long before you go for your check ride. These weaknesses can also
affect your ability to fly solo or make cross country flights which could
compromise safety - something else that is of primary concern to your instructor
and examiner.
As simply as possible: The Stage check should be an educational
experience.
Endorsements to Fly
As indicated in previous sections, there are different stages to
your flight training. During some of these phases, you will be
allowed to fly an aircraft without the flight instructor on board.
Note: You are NEVER allowed to fly with a passenger
while just a student pilot. You MUST be a private pilot or
above to fly with passengers.
You, as the student, need to understand what endorsements you
need and you are responsible for making sure you are legal to fly.
If you are ever in doubt, ask your instructor. You can also
look at FAA Advisory Circular
61-65E
for a detailed list of endorsements. Here are some
guidelines to follow.
Stage-1 - Solo
This stage measures your ability to solo fly the aircraft.
There are a number of endorsements that you need to do this:
- An endorsement on your Student-Pilot/Medical certificate for the aircraft you plan to fly
in must be made by your primary flight instructor
- Solo knowledge exam endorsement - MUST be made by your
primary flight instructor
-
I certify that (First
name, MI, Last name) has satisfactorily completed
the presolo knowledge exam of section 61.87(b) for the (make
and model aircraft)
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
- Solo log-book endorsement - MUST be made by your primary
flight instructor
-
I certify that (First
name, MI, Last name) has received the required
presolo training in a (make
and model aircraft). I have determined he/she
has demonstrated the proficiency of section 61.87(d) and is
proficient to make solo flights in (make
and model aircraft).
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
- Each and every 90 days, you have to have your instructor
re-endorse you for solo flight. This is to assure that you
are still able to fly the aircraft safely. - MUST be made by
your primary flight instructor
-
I certify that (First
name, MI, Last name) has received the required
training to qualify for solo flying. I have determined
he/she meets the applicable requirements of section 61.87(p)
and is proficient to make solo flights in (make
and model).
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
- Your instructor can also sign you off to solo to another
airport within 25 miles of your home/departure airport.
-
I certify that (First
name, MI, Last name) has received the required
training of section 61.93(b)(1). I have determined that he/she
is proficient to practice solo takeoffs and landings at (airport
name). The takeoffs and landings at (airport
name) are subject to the following conditions: (List
any applicable conditions or limitations.)
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
Stage-2 - Cross Country Solo
In this stage you are able to fly cross-country solo - no one but
you in the aircraft. The endorsements required:
- All solo endorsements as indicated in Stage-1
- An initial solo cross-country endorsement - MUST be made by
your primary flight instructor
- I certify that (First
name, MI, Last name) has received the required
solo cross-country training. I find he/she has met the
applicable requirements of section 61.93, and is proficient to
make solo cross-country flights in a (make
and model aircraft).
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
- An endorsement for each cross-country flight you want to
make after your initial solo cross-country flight - Can be made
by any CFI who has reviewed your flight plan and weather
conditions.
- I have reviewed the cross-country planning of (First
name, MI, Last name). I find the planning and
preparation to be correct to make the solo flight from (location)
to (destination)
via (route
of flight) with landings at (name
the airports) in a (make
and model aircraft) on (date).
(List
any applicable conditions or limitations.)
Signed ________________________
Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
- Your instructor may even let you fly repeated solo
cross-country flights to an airport within 50 nautical miles of
your home airport without having to get an endorsement from a
CFI for each
flight.
- I certify that (First
name, MI, Last name) has received the required
training in both directions between and at both (airport
names). I have determined that he/she is
proficient of section 61.93(b)(2) to conduct repeated solo
cross-country flights over that route, subject to the
following conditions: (List
any applicable conditions or limitations.)
Signed ________________________
Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
Stage-3 - Ready for the Check Ride
This is it! When your instructor feels that you are ready
for your check ride, a number of endorsements have to be made by
your primary flight instructor.
- All endorsements from Stage-1 and Stage-2
- 60-day training endorsement stating that you have received
3 hours of training in the last 60 days.
- I certify that [insert student's name] has received 3
hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test
in (type of aircraft) within 60 days preceding the date of the
test
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
- Ready for your check-ride endorsement
-
I certify that (First
name, MI, Last name) has received the required
training in accordance with sections 61.107 and 61.109. I have
determined he/she is prepared for the (name
the practical test).
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
- TSA security endorsement - you are who you say you are (AOPA)
- I certify that [insert student's name] has presented
me a [insert type of document presented, such as a U.S. birth
certificate or U.S. passport, and the relevant control or
sequential number on the document, if any] establishing that [he
or she] is a U.S. citizen or national in accordance with 49 CFR
1552.3(h).
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
- Knowledge Test endorsement - you have to take the written
test.
- I certify that (First
name, MI, Last name) has received the required
training in accordance with section 61.105. I have determined
he/she is prepared for the (name
the knowledge test).
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
- An endorsement for the cross-country flight to your check
ride if your instructor is not flying you there. Any CFI
can endorse you for this.
- I have reviewed the cross-country planning of (First
name, MI, Last name). I find the planning and
preparation to be correct to make the solo flight from (location)
to (destination)
via (route
of flight) with landings at (name
the airports) in a (make
and model aircraft) on (date).
(List
any applicable conditions or limitations.)
Signed ________________________
Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
Endorsements Instrument Check-Ride
Your instructor needs to endorse your log book for your
instrument (IFR) check ride much like they did for your private
pilot check ride. There aren't quite as many, but
endiorsements are still necessary
Ready for Check Ride
Endorsements for Multi-Engine Check Ride
Your instructor needs to endorse your log book for flight in a
multi-engine aircraft just as they do for a single engine aircraft
Ready for Check Ride
Endorsements for Commercial Check Ride
Your instructor needs to endorse your log book for a commercial
check ride just as they do for your private check ride
Ready for Check Ride
- Knowledge Test endorsement - you have to take the written
test.
-
I certify that (First
name, MI, Last name) has received the required
training of section 61.125. I have determined that he/she is
prepared for the (name
the knowledge test).
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
Endorsements for a Re-Check
If for some unforeseen reason you don't pass your check-ride the
first time, your instructor needs to go over the areas where the
examiner said you were deficient, then re-endorse you for the re-check.
Ready for Re-Check Ride
- Re-Check endorsement and 60-day training endorsement stating that you have received
3 hours o training in the last 60 days.
- I certify that ________________________ has received
the additional flight training as required by 61.49 and has
determined that [he/she] is prepared and has received 3 hours of
instruction in the last 60 days in preparation for the [insert
practical test to be taken] practical test
Signed ________________________ Date_____________
CFI#: _________________________ Expiration ________
FAA published instructions on
the certification of pilots and endorsements involved can be found
in FAA Advisory Circular
AC61-65E
The Check Ride
The FAA examiner that you have chosen or that has been chosen for you has one
objective in mind: To see you succeed as a new private pilot.
Examiners do not get credit for failing or passing students, but do have a responsibility to
make sure you are a competent and safe pilot.
The Oral Test
During the oral portion of the practical test, you could be asked
almost anything about aviation. The examiner is suppose to use
the
practical test standards as a guide, but they have the freedom
to ask you questions that may not be specified in the
PTS. Some of the topics might include:
Airworthiness requirements.
- What makes an aircraft airworthy?
- What are airworthiness directives and how can you prove that
the aircraft is safe to fly?
- When was the annual inspection done for the aircraft?
- When was the pitot/static inspection done?
- When was the ELT inspection done?
- When was the last 100 hour inspection done (if necessary)?
- When can an annual inspection be done in lieu of a 100 hour
inspection?
Certificates and documents
- What certificates are needed for the airplane to fly it?
- What certificates are needed with the pilot to legally fly?
Flight
- How is lift produced? (Bernoulli, Newton)
- Why is speed so important to safe flight?
- What is maneuvering
speed?
- What is a stall?
- What is a spin?
- What happens to lift during a turn? A steep turn?
How can you correct reduction in lift during turns?
- What is Drag? Parasitic? Induced?
- What are the V-Speeds for your particular aircraft and what
does each mean?
- Hazardous weather (thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, ice)
- Stability of the atmosphere
- Types of clouds - hazardous and not
- Avoiding weather
- Getting weather before you leave
- Getting weather en-route (during your flight)
- Pilot reports
- Automated weather
- Weather reports and charts
- Weather briefings
- Using Flight
Service Stations
Cross-Country Skills (Airport Facility Directory, Sectional
Charts,
Aeronautical Chart user's guide)
- Planning the flight
- Sectional charts and how to read them
- Waypoint selection
- Course and wind correction calculations
- Airport information
- Weather decisions
- Getting a standard weather briefing
- Filing the flight plan
- Opening the flight plan
Airspace
- Normally, during your cross-country planning discussion, the
examiner will ask you about airspace in the area. Study up
on airspace and how to read it on a sectional chart. (Airspace)
Performance and Limitations of the aircraft you will be flying
- You get this information from the Pilot's Operating Handbook
for the aircraft you are going to fly. Understand how to
use ALL of the performance charts (takeoff performance,
short-field takeoff, etc.).
- During your cross-country flight planning discussion, the
examiner will probably talk about the performance
characteristics of the aircraft including weight and balance.
Understand how to calculate weight and balance and the
importance of a good center-of-gravity for the aircraft
- Understand the engine and its configuration. Be ready
to discuss The type of engine, how it operates, its cooling
method and the type of fuel it uses.
Flight controls, instruments, Aircraft Systems
- What are the pitot/static instruments?
- What happens if the pitot tube gets clogged up? What
instruments are affected? Can this be corrected in flight?
- What happens when the static source gets clogged up?
What instruments are affected? Can this be corrected in
flight?
- What are the vacuum instruments? What is the vacuum
system used for? How does it work?
- How does the elevator work?
- How does the plane turn using the ailerons?
- What is the rudder used for?
- What are the procedures for cross-wind taxing and takeoff?
- What is gyroscopic procession? How does it affect the
heading indicator and how can it be corrected?
- Landing gear - how does it operate (if retractable)?
- The propeller, how does it work? Why can you
categorize the propeller as a gyroscope?
- What are left turning tendencies?
Navigational systems
- What are the navigational instruments in the aircraft?
- How does the NAV/VOR-Indicator instrumentation work?
- How do you
navigate using a VOR?
- If you have a panel-mounted GPS unit installed in your
aircraft, be ready to demonstrate its use.
- If you have an autopilot in your aircraft, be ready to
demonstrate its use.
The Flight Test
The flight test is the time when you show off your flying skills
to the FAA examiner. The primary reason for this test is to
assure that you are a safe pilot skilled enough to get yourself and
any of your passengers out of trouble if such a situation ever
arose Some of the things your flight examiner is going to
look for during your check ride:
- Do you know how to fly the plane skillfully and safely?
- Do you understand the rights and limitations you have as a
private pilot?
- Do you understand how your aircraft works and what problems
might occur over time?
- Do you understand that kind of weather that might be detrimental to your
flight?
- Can you plan a cross-country flight effectively enough as to
not get lost or if you do get lost, you can easily find your way
to safety?
- Can you be distracted to the point where you would begin
flying the aircraft unsafely?
- If you make a mistake in flight, can you recover from the
error?
- Safety, Safety, Safety.
The FAA publishes
PTS's
(practical test standards)
which are used by examiners as templates for both the oral and
flight portions of your FAA practical test. These practical
test standards contain everything you may be asked by the FAA
examiner. Here is an example of some of the things you will be
asked to do for your private pilot flight test (all are documented
in the
FAA Airplane Flying Handbook):
- Straight and level flying
- Turns
- Climbs and Descents
- All of the above with your eyes covered
- Slow flight
- Power-off Stalls
- Power-on Stalls
- Steep turns
- Turns around a point
- S-Turns
- Rectangular Pattern
- Traffic Pattern procedures
- Radio/Communication procedures
- VOR Navigation
- Normal and Crosswind takeoffs and landings
- Soft-field takeoffs and landings
- Short-field takeoffs and landings
- Emergency procedures
- Emergency landings
- Taxing procedures
- Understanding of runway and taxiway signs and markings
- Pre-Flight
- Post-Flight
- More - Check the
PTS for details.
In Conclusion
This article by no means represents everything that needs to be
known by the student pilot assuring them of a successful educational
and testing experience. Instead, I hope I have been able to
make it more clear as to what you can expect when pursuing a private
pilot's license.
Have fun and Fly Safe!
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