Flight & Ground Training
Syllabus, Assignments, Progress Checklist
and Lesson Plans
for Private Pilot – ASEL
© 2009 Patti Andrews 95 Timber Cove Drive, Campbell CA 95008 patti@myflyinglife.com 650-339-0904
Pre-Solo Phase
During this phase of training, the student will acquire aeronautical skills and knowledge required by
FAR 61.87 for solo flight. Typical lesson length is 2½ to 3 hours, including ground discussion.
Some lessons require multiple flights and/or dedicated ground sessions.
Lesson 1

The four fundamentals: straight & level flight, climbs, descents and turns

Use of pitch & power to achieve desired performance

Introduction to cockpit and controls
Lesson 2

Use of flight instruments to verify performance

Effective scanning techniques

Use of checklists

Preflight inspection

Starting procedures

Taxi

Runup

Take-off

Shut down and post-flight procedures
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 2

AFH Chapters 1 & 2

PHAK Chapters 1 & 2

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Airplane Familiarization

AIM Sections 5-5-8, 8-1-6, 8-1-8
Lesson 3

Certificates & documents

Coordination of rudder & aileron in climbs, descents and medium-bank turns

Use of turn coordinator & trim

Turns to headings

Aircraft stability

Axes of rotation

Intro to systems

Ground radio calls
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 3

AFH Chapter 3

PHAK Chapter 5

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Straight & Level Flight; Shallow & Medium Turns

FAR 61.3, 61.23, 61.51(i), 61.57, subpart E

FAR 91.203, 91.9
Lesson 4

Aerodynamic principles of flight: lift, weight, thrust & drag

How lift changes in turns

Drag curve and Power Required curve

Use of pitch and power to control lift at various airspeeds and in various configurations

Flight from LDMax to MCA

In-flight radio calls

Student begins performing solo preflight inspection of aircraft
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 4

PHAK Chapters 3, 4,
Lesson 5

Required equipment & inspections

Allowable inoperative equipment

MEL

Slow flight with climbs, descents & turns

Left turning tendencies of the airplane

Flow checks

Fly by the numbers summary
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 5

AFH Chapter 4

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Maneuvering During Slow Flight

FAR 91 subparts C, E
Lesson 6

Clearing turns

Steep turns

Load factor & Va
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 6

PHAK Chapter 9

AFH Chapter 9 (Steep Turns & Steep Spirals only)

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Steep Turns
Lesson 7 (ground session)

Weather reports and services

Student begins to check weather, NOTAMs and TFRs prior to each flight
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 7

AWS (All Chapters)

PHAK Chapter 11

Explore aviationweather.gov website

Take AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s Sky Spotter interactive PIREP training

Obtain FAA medical

Set up DUATS account (duats.com)
Lesson 8

Power off stalls

Power on stalls

Aeromedical factors
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 8

PHAK Chapters 8, 16

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Power Off/On Stalls

AIM Chapter 8
Lesson 9

Aircraft & powerplant systems & system malfunctions

Simulated engine failures: complete and partial power loss

Engine roughness, engine overheat, preignition, detonation

Engine or cockpit smoke/fire

Structural icing

Inadvertent door/window opening in flight
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 9

POH/AFM Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 7

AFH Chapter 16

PHAK Chapter 6

AIM Chapter 6
Lesson 10

Vacuum and Pitot-static systems and related malfunctions

Electrical system, gauges and instruments and related malfunctions

Avionics and related malfunctions

Flight instrument, avionics, and electrical system emergency procedures
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 10

PHAK Chapter 7

FAR 91 subparts A, B, D

POH Sections 5, 6
Lesson 11

Selection of safe practice area for ground reference maneuvers

Correction for effects of wind

Rectangular pattern

S-turns

Turns around a point

Airspace
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 11

AFH Chapter 6 (all except 8s)

AIM Chapters 3, 9

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Rectangular Course; Turns Around a Point; S Turns

Complete airspace quizzes
Lesson 12

Approach, departure and traffic pattern operations

Familiarity with operations to, from, and at 2 airports and 1 practice area

Local airspace, landmarks and procedures

Determination and use of aim point

Ground effect

Low approaches

Pattern radio communications

Light Gun Signals
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 12

AFH Chapter 7

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Traffic Pattern

PHAK Chapter 13

AIM Chapters 4, 5

Review Pilot/Controller Glossary

POH Sections 8, 9
Lesson 13

Normal landings and takeoffs

Go around

Slip to a landing

Short approach

Aborted takeoff & takeoff emergencies

No flap/stuck flap landings

Inop trim, elevator, asi on landing

Crew Resource Management

Demonstration stalls (secondary, trim, cross controlled & accelerated)

Weather

Wake turbulence avoidance procedures

Windshear and windshear avoidance. Microbursts

Runway incursion avoidance procedures
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 13

AFH Chapters 5, 8

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Normal & Crosswind Takeoff & Climb;
Normal & Crosswind Landings; Forward Slip; Secondary/Trim/Cross-Controlled Stalls;
180º Power Off Approach/Landing

PHAK Chapter 12

AIM Chapter 7

FAR 61 subparts A, B, C

AW Chapters 7 & 9
Lesson 14

Pre-solo quiz and review

Limitations on student pilots

PIC responsibilities

Required preflight action (91.103)

FAR/AIM & NTSB 830

IMSAFE

ADM

Review of pilot logbook, endorsements and medical

First solo flight

Phase check and review of recommendations
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 14

AIM Appendix 1 & NTSB 830 (aka 49 CFR Part 830)

Re-read PHAK Chapter 4

Complete Pre-Solo Quiz

Complete pilot logbook summary

Complete Ground Review

Complete Pre-Solo Phase Check Packet, as required

Complete Member Regulations Quiz as required
Cross-Country Phase
This phase of training covers aeronautical skills and knowledge required to safely perform solo
cross-country flights required by FAR 61.87. In addition, the student will conduct local solo flights to
practice skills already learned. Typical length for dual cross-country lessons is 3-4 hours. Some
lessons will require multiple flights and/or dedicated ground sessions.
Lesson 15 (ground session)

Flight planning

Latitude & Longitude

Pilotage and dead reckoning

Aircraft performance and use of performance charts and tables from POH

Atmospheric conditions (density altitude)

Use of 1-800-wx-brief for wx

Filing a flight plan
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 15

PHAK Chapters 10, 14
Lesson 16

Non-towered airport operations

Airport signs & markings

Short xc: pilotage, dead reckoning
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 16

AIM Chapter 2

PHAK Chapter 15

Plan pilotage xc to non-towered airport
Lesson 17

Spin recognition & recovery (flight optional)
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 17

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Spins
Lesson 18

Short and soft field take-offs and landings

Student alternates dual & solo flights (soloes: pattern, practice area & between PAO/SQL)
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 18

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Short/Soft Field Takeoffs/Landings

Re-read AFH Chapters 5 & 7 (emphasis on short/soft field techniques)

PHAK Chapter 17
Lesson 19

Basic attitude instrument flying: 4 fundamentals revisited

Standard rate turns

VOR principles and indications: tracking, reverse sensing

VOR navigation; course interception

DME
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 19

AW all remaining chapters
Lesson 20

Short xc: VOR

Towered airport operations

Flight following

In-flight weather sources

PIREPs
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 20

AIM Chapter 1

Plan VOR xc to unfamiliar tower controlled airport
Lesson 21

Descents in high and low drag configurations

Unusual attitude recognition & recovery
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 21

Visualized Flight Maneuvers Steep Spiral
Lesson 22

Use of magnetic compass

Compass errors

ADF & basic GPS navigation. Off-course indications

Short xc using ADF, GPS and magnetic compass, as available in airplane

Filing, opening, amending and closing a flight plan

Lost procedures

Diversion
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 22

Plan short xc using ADF, GPS and magnetic compass, as available in airplane
Lesson 23

Review of all emergency procedures.

Long xc using best combination of navigational methods
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 23

Plan long xc using best combination of navigation methods
Lesson 24

Pre-solo-xc review

Review of pilot logbook

Phase check and review of recommendations

Solo cross countries: 1 short and 1 long
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 24

Complete pilot logbook summary

Complete XC Phase Check, as required
Review & Preparation for the Checkride
In this final phase of training the student will review and refine aeronautical skill and knowledge
areas covered so far until performance is consistently at or above PTS standards. A few new items
will be introduced. In addition, the student will conduct solo flights to additional airports for the
purposes of practicing skills already learned. Typical lesson length is 2-3 hours.
Lesson 25

High altitude flight considerations
No homework for this lesson
Lesson 26

Review as needed in preparation for FAA practical test
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 26

Review all required texts and lesson plans 1 through 24, noting questions

Review private pilot PTS

Complete private pilot written test
Lesson 27

Night landings

Airport lighting

Night pre- and post-flight

Night xc flight planning

Aeromedical factors relating to night flight

FARs 91.205, 91.209, 91.151 & 61.57 revisited
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 27

AFH Chapter 10
Lesson 28

Night xc
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 28

Plan night xc using best combination of navigational methods
Lesson 29

Emergency equipment and survival gear

Mountain flying considerations

Optional xc flight to mountain airport
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 29

Plan mountain xc for ground review

Mountain Flying Bible (optional)
Lesson 30

SF Class Bravo & Bay Tour procedures
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 30

Study San Francisco Terminal Area Chart
Lesson 31

Currency (BFR, WINGS, checkride)

Review of knowledge areas found to be deficient on written test

Pilot logbook review

Aircraft logbook review

Phase check and review of recommendations

Additional mock checkrides as desired
Homework to be done prior to Lesson 31

Complete pilot logbook summary

Complete aircraft logbook summary

Complete Private Phase Check Packet, as required
Lesson 32

Final pre-test ground session

Final pre-test flight

Endorsements

IACRA 8710 application
No homework for this lesson… enjoy your checkride!
Private Pilot Readings & Resources
FAA Texts – all FAA texts are “Advisory Circulars,” available for free download at faa.gov
 AFH = Airplane Flying Handbook (AC H-8083-3A)
 PHAK = Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (AC H-8083-25A)
 AW = Aviation Weather for Pilots and Flight Operations Personnel (AC 00-6A)
 AWS = Aviation Weather Services (AC 00-45F)
 FAR/AIM = Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual
 PTS = Practical Test Standards for private rating
Non-FAA Texts & Tools
 Visualized Flight Maneuvers for High Wing Aircraft or equivalent
 Pilot’s Operating Handbook/Approved Flight Manual for aircraft used (POH/AFM)
 Mountain Flying Bible (optional)
 Dan Dyer’s Ground School Workbook for Private Pilots (optional)
 AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s interactive training courses at aopa.org/asf
Other Supplies
 Current Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD)
 Current San Francisco Sectional & Terminal Area Charts
 CheckmateTM checklist for aircraft used ( www.checkmateaviation.com )
 Retractable pen and sticky notes
 Watch
 Kneeboard (try several before buying)
 Headset (try several before buying) ( best prices from www.spinnerspilotshop.com )
 Plotter with rotating wheel
 E6B (recommend plasticized not metal)
 Flight bag to put it all in!