Private Pilot Syllabus Section 8 (New)

Cross-Country Training Experiences

Track Your Cross-Country Training Progress

8A - Aircraft Performance

Predicting and Managing Enroute Aircraft Performance

  • 1½
  • 1

Assignments

Activities

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • is able to calculate pressure and density altitude and understands their role in determining aircraft performance.
  • is able to use and understand climb and cruise performance charts.
  • can use time and fuel data in flight to evaluate flight performance and revise arrival time.
  • manages engine performance for optimal temperature and cruise performance.

8B - Using VORs

Navigate Using VORs

  • 1
  • ½

Reference

Activities

  • Tune and identify a VOR
  • Fly direct to or away from a VOR
  • Determine location relative to a VOR
  • Intercept and track a course to a VOR
  • Track a VOR course until intercepting a cross radial

Assignments

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • is able to correctly tune and identify a VOR station.
  • is able to identify a course toward a given VOR.
  • is able to determine the radial that the aircraft is located on.
  • is able to retrieve airport and other information from the GPS database.
  • selects appropriate headings that successfully track a VOR course.
  • is able to recognize VOR station passage.
  • is able to correctly identify headings to intercept any desired VOR course.

8C - Lost Procedures and Diversion

Learn Procedures When Lost and How to Divert to an Alternate Airport
  • ½
  • ½

Assignments

Activities

  • Lost procedures in flight
  • Divert to an alternate airport

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • is able to demonstrate procedures to use in the event of becoming lost.
  • can safely divert to a new destination in flight and adjust flight planning appropriately.

8D - Non-Towered Airport Operations

Approaching and Operating at Non-Towered Airports

  • 1½
  • 1

Reference

Activities

Assignments

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • can safely navigate to and from a non-towered airport.
  • follows appropriate procedures for determining wind direction, runway to use, and pattern entry at a non-towered airport.
  • makes appropriate CTAF radio calls and position reports.
  • follows all airport procedures.

8E - Airport Ground Services

Understanding and Using Airport Services

  • 1
  • ½

Assignments

Activities

  • Refuel the airplane
  • Taxi to an FBO

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • can locate fuel services at an airport.
  • is able to safely refuel an airplane.
  • knows how to get reimbursed for fuel expenses.
  • is able to locate and park in transient parking at an airport.
  • understands and can follow ground marshaling hand signals.

8F - Using GPS

Using Onboard GPS for Course Tracking and Information Retrieval
  • 0
  • 1

Activities

  • GPS for Cross-Country Flight
  • Use GPS to fly direct to a waypoint (airport, VOR, other waypoint)
  • Locate nearest airports, ATC frequencies
  • Retrieve airport details (runways, elevation, etc.)
  • Determine distance to/from a specified airport
  • Create and use a flight plan
  • Obtain flight information (present position, flight time, departure time)
  • Calculate current pressure altitude, density altitude, and true airspeed

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • is able to use GPS to determine course to and distance from the nearest airport.
  • is able to enter a GPS flight plan with multiple waypoints.
  • understands course guidance information provided by the GPS.
  • is able to retrieve airport and other information from the GPS database.

8G - Using Autopilot

Using Automated Flight Control Systems

  • 0
  • 1

Activities

  • Using an Autopilot
  • Use heading mode (HDG) of the autopilot to fly a desired heading
  • Use navigation (NAV) mode of the autopilot to track a VOR course
  • Use navigation (NAV) mode of the autopilot to track a GPS course
  • Use vertical speed (VS) to climb and descend at specific rate
  • Use autopilot to hold current altitude
  • Use autopilot to climb/descent and capture a target altitude

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • understands and can complete the preflight test of the autopilot.
  • is able to use all of the lateral modes of the autopilot to fly a heading or track a course.
  • is able to use the vertical modes of the autopilot to climb, descend and level off at a target altitude.
  • is able to quickly engage the autopilot to maintain current heading and altitude.

8H - Associated Ground Topics

Acquire the Knowledge Needed to Support the Flight Skills of This Section
  • 2½
  • 2
  • 0

Assignments

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • understands situations in which the altimeter reads incorrectly.
  • understands how pilot failure to set the altimeter correctly can result in altimeter indication errors.
  • understands the situations in which the magnetic compass reads incorrectly.
  • understands the content of the POH supplements and how to incorporate limitations, normal procedures, and system descriptions from supplements into the rest of the POH.