CFIing

Stalls with Ben

Some of my students have decided to pursue their Private Pilot Certificate instead of becoming a Sport Pilot. The reason is that their primary mission requires more than an LSA. That decision changes the amount of training required. My syllabus takes the student through Sport Pilot requirements and allows them to "extend" their training with extra flights for Private Pilot. Major differences include a longer cross-country flight, a different Knowledge Test, and nighttime operations.

Sunday night I flew Sally to get recurrent with nighttime operations. It was fun to fly solo during the quiet hours of the evening. This would be the calm before the storm.

Monday: I arrived at the hangar to perform some minor maintenance and make sure Sally was ready for the busy week ahead.

Tuesday we flew a "Fam-5". This is the first flight in the Private Pilot curriculum:

Fam - 5: Radio Navigation and Communications
OBJECTIVE: To introduce the student to the basics of Radio Navigation and Communications with controlling authorities.
TIME: 45 minutes Ground Instruction; 1 hour Flight Instruction (optional video capture)
NEW LESSON ITEMS: Tuning VOR, identifying stations, intercepting a course, Direct to GPS, entering a Flight Plan, autopilot operations.
COMPLETION STANDARDS: The lesson has been successfully completed when the student demonstrates proficiency in VOR and GPS operations while maintaining basic handling of the airplane.

I kept a close eye on the outside air temperature (OAT) temperature and decided to give a new student his Fam - 1. He has previous Cessna time but nothing in a low wing airplane. We practiced Basic Airwork (BAW) and discussed Sally's performance characteristics. 

Wednesday: In the morning Ben did his Fam - 2. This is more BAW and includes Power-Off Stalls and Ground Reference Maneuvers. I also introduced him to the landing pattern and was impressed enough to let him try his first landing in a PiperSport. He did well!

Wednesday Night Bruce did his Land- 6: (We did half the requirement)

Land-6: Night Takeoffs and Landings

TIME: 1-2 hours Ground Instruction; 1 hour Flight Instruction
REVIEW LESSON ITEMS: Traffic Pattern Entries; Collision Avoidance and Scanning procedures in the Traffic Pattern; Traffic Patterns to low approaches; takeoffs and landings; go-arounds.
NEW LESSON ITEMS: Definition of night time. Hazards of night flying. Use of airport lighting systems.
COMPLETION STANDARDS: The lesson will have been successfully completed when the student: is able to show an understanding of nighttime landing procedures including aborted T.O and go-around procedures. The student will be able to make landings without instructor assistance

Thursday: We went over to KLAL and Bruce did:

Fam - 6: Radio Navigation and Communications at Controlled Field
OBJECTIVE: To practice Radio Navigation and Communications with controlling authorities.
TIME: 45 minutes Ground Instruction; 1 hour Flight Instruction (optional video capture)
NEW LESSON ITEMS: Tuning VOR, identifying stations, intercepting a course, Direct to GPS, entering a Flight Plan, autopilot operations.
COMPLETION STANDARDS: The lesson  has been successfully completed when the student demonstrates proficiency in VOR and GPS operations while maintaining basic handling of the airplane. Student must complete 3 full stop landings at a Tower controlled airport.

Friday: Bruce #2 continued with his landing practice.

REVIEW LESSON ITEMS: Traffic Patterns; Take offs and Landings; Go-arounds.
NEW LESSON ITEMS: Simulated engine failures to a landing; Forward slip to a landing; landing without flaps; communication in the traffic pattern; right-of-way regulations in the pattern. 

 Saturday: Leo continued with his landing practice.

REVIEW LESSON ITEMS: Traffic Patterns; Take offs and Landings; Go-arounds.
NEW LESSON ITEMS: Simulated engine failures to a landing; Forward slip to a landing; landing without flaps; communication in the traffic pattern; right-of-way regulations in the pattern. 

It was a very good week.

A high-ranking FAA source has confirmed that the FAA plans to almost triple the maximum weight for most light sport aircraft to 3600 pounds in rulemaking that will be introduced in January. The source confirmed the scant details of a Facebook post written by AOPA Senior VP of Media and Outreach Tom Haines from the AOPA Regional Fly-In at Carbondale, Illinois. Link Here

Additional information on MOSAIC found here. 

*Updated information about LSA weight limits found here