Private Pilot Syllabus Section 3

3A - Aerial Maneuver Training

Introduction to Topics in Aerial Maneuvers Practice

  • 2½
  • 2½
  • 0

Assignments

Activities

  • Review local airspace boundaries
  • Review local weather reports and forecasts
  • Organize kneeboard and chart for maneuver training

Completion Standards

When complete, the student

  • understands how to stabilize the aircraft in preparation for maneuvers practice.
  • is able to read and interpret local terminal area chart references, including. adjacent Class B and C airspace, and visual references used in getting to the practice area.
  • is able to obtain and evaluate local weather reports and forecasts.
  • is able to determine his or her own fitness for flight.
  • understands the radio communications required to obtain takeoff clearance, and expected takeoff and departure instructions.

3B - Slow Flight

Safely Operate the Aircraft at the Edge of Controllable Flight

  • ½
  • 2½
  • 1

Reference

Assignment

Activities

  • APAMCO
  • Straight and level in slow flight
  • Climbs/descents in slow flight
  • Turns in slow flight

Completion Standards

When complete, the student

  • uses terminal chart to remain clear of neighboring airspace enroute to the practice area.
  • uses APAMCO to ready the aircraft for maneuvering and to clear the practice area of traffic.
  • divides attention inside and outside of the cockpit, with emphasis outside.
  • demonstrates smooth entry into slow flight.
  • demonstrates awareness of flight characteristics of the aircraft while operating in the backside of the power curve.
  • demonstrates the ability to hold heading and altitude at an airspeed where any further increase in angle of attack would result in a stall warning.
  • maintains wings-level attitude using aileron and controls yaw with rudder.
  • demonstrates the ability to climb, descend, or turn safely while in slow flight.
  • smoothly recovers to straight and level at normal speed.

3C - Power-Off Stalls

Recognize and Recover from Excessive Angle of Attack

  • 1
  • 2½
  • 1

Reference

Assignments

Activities

  • Power-off stalls
  • Turning stalls

Completion Standards

When complete, the student

  • uses APAMCO to ready the aircraft for maneuvering and to clear the practice area of traffic.
  • divides attention inside and outside of the cockpit, with emphasis outside.
  • demonstrates smooth entry into a landing descent profile.
  • understands where the critical angle is and how to exceed it.
  • demonstrates power-off stall and stall recovery without yaw.
  • is able to identify pre-stall warning signs.
  • recovers promptly with pitch, then increases power and reduces drag to hasten airspeed recovery.
  • demonstrates proper rudder use in the event of wing drop.
  • smoothly recovers to a climb.

3D - Power-On Stalls and Spin Awareness

Recognize and Recover from Excessive Angle of Attack

  • 1½
  • 2½
  • 1

Reference

Assignments

Activity

  • Power-on stalls

Completion Standards

When complete, the student

  • uses APAMCO to ready the aircraft for maneuvering and to clear the practice area of traffic.
  • divides attention inside and outside of the cockpit, with emphasis outside.
  • demonstrates smooth entry into slow cruise and simulated takeoff and climb profile.
  • understands where the critical angle is and how to exceed it.
  • demonstrates power-on stall and stall recovery without yaw.
  • is able to identify pre-stall warning signs.
  • recovers promptly with pitch, then increases power to hasten airspeed recovery.
  • demonstrates proper rudder use in the event of wing drop.
  • smoothly recovers to a climb.
  • understands the factors that can create a spin and can recite from memory the steps required to recover from an inadvertent spin entry.

3E - Ground Reference Maneuvers

Factor in Wind to Manage Your Ground Track

  • 1
  • 3½
  • 2

Assignment

Activities

  • Track CFI-selected course to practice area using pilotage
  • Parallel to ground line
  • Rectangular pattern
  • S-turns across a road
  • Turns around a point

Completion Standards

When complete, the student

  • is able to navigate to the practice area using pilotage.
  • uses APAMCO to ready the aircraft for maneuvering and to clear the practice area of traffic.
  • enters each ground reference maneuver from the appropriate direction.
  • divides attention inside and outside of the cockpit, with emphasis outside.
  • selects appropriate crab angle to maintain the desired ground track.
  • maintains wings-level tracking a straight ground line and an appropriately changing bank angle in turns.
  • demonstrates the ability to hold altitude and airspeed during ground reference maneuvers.

3F - Steep Turns

Demonstrate Mastery of Bank, Pitch, Power, and Yaw

  • ½
  • 2½
  • 1

Reference

Assignment

Activities

  • Steep turns

Completion Standards

When complete, the student

  • uses APAMCO to ready the aircraft for maneuvering and to clear the practice area of traffic.
  • divides attention inside and outside of the cockpit, with emphasis outside.
  • maintains a stabilized pitch and steep bank throughout the turn.
  • demonstrates proper use of power to maintain airspeed.
  • demonstrates proper use of rudder to stay coordinated.
  • demonstrates competency in both directions.

3G - Progress Check

Review Your Progress to Ensure the Path is Working for You

  • 0
  • ½
  • 0

Activity

  • Meet with Chief Pilot to review student progress

Completion Standards

When complete, the student

  • has confirmed the compatibility between student needs and CFI abilities.
  • understands the Flight Center’s commitment to effective instruction.
  • has communicated his or her thoughts and impressions of the flight training process and ways to improve the Flight Center.