Private Pilot Ground School Schedule – Thursdays 6-9pm (12 week course)
Aug. 30 – Program Introduction
A. Training Process
B. Privileges/Limitations
C. Currency
D. Aircraft Safety and Care
Principles of Flight
E. Major Components of Airframe
F. The Basic Airfoil
G. Production of Lift
Aircraft Flight Controls
H. Primary Flight Controls
a. Ailerons
b. Rudder
c. Elevator/Stabilator
I. Secondary Flight Controls
a. Flaps
b. Trim
c. Spoilers
Sept. 6 -
Aerodynamics
A. Four Forces
B. Key Terms
a. Relative Wind
b. Angle of Attack
c. Angle of Incidence
d. Dihedral
C. Drag
D. Wake Turbulence, Wingtip Vortices
E. Ground Effect
F. Axes of an Aircraft
G. Stability
H. Aerodynamics in Flight Maneuvers
a. Climbs, Descents, Turns
b. Stalls
c. Load Factors
I. Propellers
a. Torque
b. P-factor
c. Corkscrew Effect
d. Gyroscopic Precession
Sept. 13 - Weight and Balance
A. Weight Control
B. Center of Gravity
C. Definitions
a. Basic Empty Weight
b. Standard Empty Weight
c. Useful Load
d. Formulas, Calculations
Aircraft Operations
A. Takeoff and Climb
B. Approach and Landing
C. Traffic Pattern
D. Airport Operations
a. Towered and Non-Towered Fields
b. Signs and Markings
c. Radio Communications
d. Runway Incursions and Avoidance
Flight Instruments
A. Gyroscopic Instruments
B. AHRS
C. Pitot-Static Instruments
D. ADC
Sept. 20 - Review/Make-up Session 1
Sept. 27 - Aircraft Powerplant
A. 4-stroke cycle
B. Ignition
C. Induction
D. Oil
E. Cooling
F. Engine Troubleshooting
G. Engine Performance
a. Effects of Altitude
b. Proper Grade of Fuel
c. Fuel Contamination
d. Detonation
e. Pre-Ignition
Performance Data and Charts
H. Key Terms/Definitions
I. Pressure Altitude Computation
J. Cirrus
K. Skyhawk
Oct. 4 -
Aircraft Systems - Cirrus
A. Engine
B. Fuel System
C. Electrical System
D. Propeller/Governor
Aircraft Systems - Skyhawk
E. Engine
F. Fuel System
G. Electrical System
H. Vacuum System
Oct. 11 - Aviation Weather
A. Basic Theory
a. Composition of the Atmosphere
b. Temperature and Pressure
c. Wind
d. Moisture
e. Stability
f. Turbulence
g. Clouds
h. Air Masses and Fronts
B. VFR/MVFR/IFR Definitions
C. Thunderstorms
D. Icing
Weather Services
E. METAR
F. TAF
G. Area Forecast (FA)
H. Winds and Temps Aloft
I. Severe Weather Reports and Forecasts
a. AIRMETs, SIGMETs, Convective SIGMETs
J. Pireps
K. Charts
a. Surface Analysis, Weather Depiction Chart, Radar
Summary, Significant Weather Prog
L. Resources
a. ADDS, DUATS, fltplan.com, etc.
Oct. 18 - Review/Make-up Session 2
Oct. 25 - National Airspace System
A. A, B, C, D, E, G Airspace
B. Requirements for Entry
C. Weather Minimums
Charts and Navigation
D. Aeronautical Charts and Symbols
E. Calculations
a. Variation, Deviation, Wind
F. Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
G. Radio Navigation
a. VOR
b. DME
H. GPS
I. Lost Procedures
Cross-Country Planning
J. Step-By-Step Process
K. Filing Flight Plans
Nov. 1 -
Federal Aviation Regulations
A. Part 61
B. Part 91
C. NTSB 830
Maintenance, Manuals, and Documentation
A. Required Maintenance and Documentation
B. Preventative Maintenance
C. Airworthiness Directives
Nov. 8 -
Aeronautical Decision Making
A. CRM/SRM
B. I’M SAFE
C. Hazardous Attitudes
D. Decision-Making Process
Aeromedical Factors
E. Medical Certificates
F. Physiological Factors
G. Illusions and Disorientation
H. Vision
Emergency Procedures
I. Engine Failure
J. Spins
K. Fires
L. Loss of Oil/Fuel Pressure
M. High Oil Temperatures
N. Alternator Failure
O. Engine Roughness
Night Operations
P. Night Physiology
Q. Equipment
R. Aircraft and Airport Lighting
S. Navigation
T. Emergencies
Nov. 15 - Comprehensive Review and Practice Oral Exam