After the Solo, Now what?

With a couple of solo flights completed in the landing pattern, it is time to move on to more advanced topics. I prefer to have the written test completed by now so that the student can apply all of the topics learned in ground school. The curriculum changes it's focus to cross-country flying. My lesson plan looks like this:


 Xctry - 1: INTRODUCTION TO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT

NEW LESSON ITEMS: Obtaining a weather briefing; planning a cross-country flight; preparing a flight log; airspace review; pilotage; ded reckoning; emergency procedures to include loss of oil, electrical failure, vacuum failure, engine failure at altitude; lost procedures; communication procedures.  

COMPLETION STANDARDS: The lesson will have been successfully completed when the student: demonstrates understanding of the procedures to use in obtaining a weather briefing; is able to prepare a flight log with instructor assistance; is able to fly the planned flight making off-course corrections with instructor assistance as necessary; demonstrates understanding of the need to divert, if necessary; demonstrates understanding of the possible emergency situations that might arise during a cross-country flight; demonstrates an understanding of appropriate lost procedures; demonstrates an understanding of proper communication techniques. 

What did we actually cover?

1. Complete preflight. Burp the engine.
2. Starting the engine with the choke.
3. Ground procedures including passenger brief and radio calls.
4. Run up.
5. Aborted take off.
6. Normal take-off/departure and use of checklists.
7. Clearing turns.
8. Power on stall/recovery.
9. Simulated fluctuating oil pressure. Determine the nearest airport.
10. Use of GPS navigation including setup, split scan, direct to, and use of CDI.
11. Divert to another airport.
12. Entry procedures, use of checklists, calling out traffic and landing pattern procedures.
13. Demonstrate the use of a slip. Compare the rates of descent with/without slip. Discuss skid.
14. Entry procedures, use of checklists, calling out traffic and landing pattern procedures at home airport.
15. Power loss in the pattern. Use of slip for landing.
16. Ground procedures including radio calls.
17. Engine shutdown using fuel cutoff valve. Discussion of engine fire procedures.
18. Put airplane in the hangar, complete post-flight.

Homework assignment: What are the Sport Pilot and Private Pilot cross-country requirements? Plan a cross-country flight and be prepared to discuss why the route was chosen.

It was a beautiful day to fly. Wispy clouds wrapped the earth in a woven sweater. Beautiful.