Page 61
Initial
Requirements for Solo
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Contents
…Introduction;...Student Supervision; ...Pre-solo
Flight Training; ...Solo Required Knowledge---FAR
Part 61.87;
…Student requirements and limitations;
...Student Pilot Requirements; ...Student
Pilot Limitations FAR PART 61.89; ...Flight
Rules---FAR PART 91; ...Compliance Required
for Flight; ...Aircraft Basic Knowledge Sheet.
..Solo Phase Check Flight; ...Solo
Phase Check Oral; ...Aircraft V-Speeds;
...First Solo; ...Instructor Requirements;
...The Flight; ...
Solo preparation began on the first flight. Now, the FARs require specific paper work, study, and testing. Student skill and knowledge for the flight must meet safety requirements. The instructor will impose limits of visibility and wind conditions. The extent of the testing of FARs and aircraft knowledge will vary but FARs say the depth must be enough to determine competency. Airport and radio procedures must be covered for all anticipated solo situations. The words, "student pilot," now become part of the aircraft identification whenever the full aircraft identification is appropriate. i.e. "Cessna 6185K student pilot"
The day of possible solo is significant both to student and instructor. Psychological conditioning begins during the post flight discussions several flights before actual solo. The parameters of acceptable flying conditions is based primarily on safety considerations. This needs to be clearly understood by the student. Unsafe solo conditions turns the planned dual/solo lesson into a dual only. The teaching accountability of the flight instructor is exceeded in no other field and equaled in only a few.
The pre-solo discussion is used to confirm that all required papers are, if not completed, available. An oral review of the conditions requiring slow flight and the short approach should be included. The dual is limited by agreement. The instructor expects that the student will complete at least three safe landings and a go- around in the first half hour of closed traffic. If this is not accomplished then the remainder of the flight time will be to review or refine landing skills in dual. The reason for this is that extending the dual time beyond the half hour creates student fatigue that might jeopardize solo safety. One way to judge the intellectual and emotional load of a student on any pre-solo flight is to see if he can handle the landing process while conversing about some unrelated subject just as he would in an automobile. It's nice to know that the student has some capacity left for emergencies when the instructor gets out.
When ready to solo the student is confident of his capability. The instructor has been satisfied in the student's decision making skills, judgment and flying performance. The student can accept the existence of pattern problems and mistakes while making safe adjustments and corrections. The ability to make both the go-around decision and the go-around procedure is the most essential ingredient of the process. Lastly, the kinds of questions a student asks is a very important indicator of the proficiency level acquired.
If all goes well, the student solo proceeds. The student is expected to make two touch and go's a full stop in solo flight. A go around does not count. The instructor will be in the tower to monitor the flight and advise ATC of the student's capability to handle an unexpected situation. On occasion, the instructor may authorize an extension of the solo flight.
Perhaps I once carried the supervision of a solo flight to an extreme when I followed a student flying a C-150 in a C-172. I did so without his knowledge and my intent was to prevent any serious problems that might be caused by anxiety-garbled English. Before coming to me the student had undergone a 6-month suspension for landing at a military airport. Even for unsupervised solos I make it a point to try and be in the tower as often as possible. That I must be doing something right is proven by the fact that in the past 30 years I have never had a student have a serious problem on any solo flight.
I ask my students to always contact me the night before a solo flight and again shortly after completion. This procedure is for flights to airports less than 50 miles to which one or more dual flights have been made. Beyond fifty miles the planning in all aspects are gone over with the student. Weather is factored in the night before and prior to the flight. Flight plans are filed, opened and closed for each leg. I know all frequencies to be used both for communications and for navigation.
(1) Preflight, Engine operation, systems
(2) Starting, taxiing, runup
(3) Takeoff & landings, normal and crosswind
(4) Flying straight and level, shallow, medium and steep turns.
(5) Climbs and climbing turns
(6) Traffic pattern entries and departures, collision and large
aircraft wake avoidance
(7) Descents straight and w/turns, with and without flaps
(8) Speeds cruise through minimum controllable
(9) Emergencies and malfunctions
(10) Ground reference maneuvers
(11) Power-off landings
(12) Slips to a landing
(13) Go arounds from base turns through final flare
(14) Forced landings from takeoff to anywhere in the pattern
(15) Stall entries w/varied attitudes and power with recovery
at first sign
Solo Required
Knowledge---FAR Part 61.87:
A student must demonstrate aeronautical knowledge of Parts
61 and 91 the POH, aircraft operation and the local airport area.
See: FAR 61.87(b)
AIRCRAFT;
Required papers
Required inspections
Oil levels
Fuel consumption/flight time
Weight/balance limits
Rotation/climb speeds
Approach/landing speeds
Flap use/go-around procedures
Effect of bank on stall speed
Emergency operations
Student requirements
and limitations
1. Boundary areas of student flight
2. Local airport procedures
3. Pattern procedures and operations
4. Weather restrictions
5. Aircraft papers and requirements
6. Aircraft right of way
7. Use of C.H.
8. Magneto check limits
9. Tire pressures and condition
10. Aircraft switches and function
11. Legal altitudes in local area
12. Solo limits
13. Post flight procedures
14. ATC clearances and directions
License/medical certificate
Knowledge of flight rules--FAR PART 91
Proficient in pre-flight/run up-taxiing
Proficient in climbs/turns/level/descents
Slow flight/stall recognition-recovery
Traffic patterns/ground reference/collision avoidance
Emergencies/priorities
License and Logbook
Endorsements
Student Pilot Limitations---FAR
PART 61.89
(a)
(1) No passengers
(2-3) No flying for hire
(4) No flying for business
(5) No international flights
(6) No flying daytime with visibility below 3 miles, or at night
with less that 5 mile visibility.
(7) No flying without visual reference to the surface
(8) No flying that is contrary to instructors logbook endorsements
and limitations
(b)
(1) Cannot act as required crew member
(2) Cannot fly into certain Class Bs unless endorsed in last 90
days (91.95(a)
Cannot be endorsed for San Francisco Class B airspace.
Student must have instructor approval of all flights
Student must have 90 day solo endorsement
Student must have license, medical, and logbook in possession
when flying.
Student certificate must be signed on back for each aircraft type.
Student certificate must be signed on back for cross country flight.
(This instructor does not allow student night flights)
(The new FARs do not allow student SVFR flights)
The student is not to make over-flights such as would attract
attention of friends or relatives.
.3 Pilot in command/
.5 Preflight/
.9 Careless operation/
.11 Liquor/
.14 Seat belts
.67 right-of-way/
.71 Acrobatic/
.73 lights
.79 safe altitudes/
.105 VFR minimums/
.107 SVFR/
.109 flight altitudes
Compliance Required for Flight
1. Emergency Locator Beacon (some exceptions)
2. Advisory Directive (AD) is due and not complied with
3. Owner/operator responsible for maintaining airworthiness
4. FAA approved flight manual only if flying
5. Engine baffling
6. Airworthiness certificate
7. Pilot may make airworthy by disabling and placarding
8. Only an Airframe and Power mechanic with inspection rights
can modify an aircraft.
9. An aircraft is airworthy only when conforming to type design.
Aircraft Basic Knowledge Sheet
Dimensions: Height_____ Length_____Wingspan_____ Propeller_____Tires_____
Fuel
Full fuel_____Grade_____POH endurance______TRUE endurance_____
Oil
Oil type_____Maximum_____Minimum______
Cockpit
All switches, knobs, lights and sounds: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Weight and Balance:
Gross weight _____Empty weight_____Full Fuel weight_____Cockpit
load available_____
CG Range_______
Speeds
Va_____Vx____Vy____Vfe____ Vne____Vno____Vg____
Gross aircraft performance parameters in standard conditions:
Normal-Speed____
S.L. takeoff_____Over obstacle_____ Landing______ Over obstacle______Configuration
______________
Procedures______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Short field-Speed____
Takeoff_____ Over obstacle _____Landing_______Over obstacle______
Configuration______________
Soft field-Speed____
Takeoff_____ Over obstacle_____Landing________Over obstacle______Configuration______________
Density Altitude Performance at Gross
Conditions: Level Cruise a 65% power, 7500' Standard Temperature.
True air speed______Fuel used____per hour
Takeoff
Conditions: Gross Weight, 5000' 100-degrees F, obstacle
Ground run______Rate of Climb_____ Total distance to 50'
Landing
Conditions: Calm, S.L. 103-degrees F
Total distance required over fence to stop______
General Knowledge
Required papers are: _______________________________________________________________________
Required inspections are: ___________________________________________________________________
Seat belt requirements: _____________________________________________________________________
Carburetor ice cause, detection and removal:____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
The Go-around when and how_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Solo Phase Check
Flight
Student_________________Recommending CFI________________Phase Check CFI_______________
1-5 Score(5 fails) ............................................Comments
Pre-solo Phase Check
Airspace
Preflight
Ground
Operations
Four Basics
Slow flight
Min. control
Stalls
Steep turns
Traffic Pattern
Normal takeoff
Landing
Go-around
Radio work
Emergency
(Scored 1-5)
( ) Student Limitations……..( ) Preflight Preparation…..(
) Required aircraft/student papers….
( ) Getting the weather……..( ) Getting Notams….. ( ) Basic VFR minimums….. ( ) Short approach
( ) Airspace A to G…..( ) Local airspace…..( ) Radio failure….. ( ) Radio instructions
( ) Light Signals……( ) Minimum altitudes……( ) Traffic patterns….. ( ) In pattern turns
( ) Ground operations……( ) V-speed definitions……( ) Specific aircraft V-speeds…… ( ) View on Final
( ) Aircraft Systems….( ) Emergencies……( ) Engine Failure at altitude….. ( ) Overhead approach
( ) Engine failure on takeoff……( ) Engine failure in the pattern…… ( ) Harness requirements
( ) Aircraft proximity…… ( ) Right(s) of way…… ( ) Operational speeds….. ( ) The Option
( ) Special Use Airspace…… ( ) Hemispheric Rule…… ( ) Required inspections
( ) Required maintenance…… ( ) Inoperative equipment…… ( ) Aerobatic flight……( ) Pattern speeds
( ) Logbook entries…… ( ) Normal T. O./Landings…… ( ) Crosswind T.O. /Landings
Remarks on back
Aircraft V-Speeds
Year to year figures will vary. Check POH especially fuel.
Aircraft Types
.............................C-150 ............C-152.........C-172.........C-182.........
PA-28
V-speeds in knots
Vr (rotate) ..............50 ..................50............... 50 ...............50 ...............56
Vx (Best angle)...... 60 ..................55 ................60 ...............53............... 66
Vy (Best rate) ........66.................. 67................
78............... 76............... 79
Vz = best range speed
Vfe (extend flaps)....87 ................. 85............... 87............
140/95.......... 103
Vs (Stall clean)....... 48 ................. 40 ...............49 ...............58............... 50
Approach clean...... 62 ..................60............... 62 ...............70 ...............70
VsO(Stall dirty) ......43 ................. 35 ...............43 ...............52 ...............44
Approach dirty....... 52 ..................55 ...............56 .............. 61............... 63
Va (Maneuvering) ..95.............. 93-104 ............97 .............111 .............111
Vno (Structural ....104 .................111 ............126
............. 139 ............126
Cruise)
Vne (Never .........141 ................149............. 158 .............
167 ............160
Exceed)
Vg (Best glide) ......61 .................60 ................70
................70 ..............73
Approach minimum.52 ............... 55 ................56 ................61................63
Usable Fuel ...........22.5 ..............24.5 .............38 ..........50-79-91 ......... 48
Oil ....................... 4-6................ 4-6............. 6-8 .............10-12 ............6-8
There are many self-induced stresses on the student prior to solo. The student begins to worry about it never happening, the cost, how others have done it sooner, and a thousand doubts. As a student your forget that the instructor wants you to solo, also. Flying as often as you can just prior to solo is a big help. Time spent getting appropriate dual is better use of time and money than scary solo.
A student can help his own situation by treating every pre-solo dual as though it were going to be a solo. Take responsibility for all communications and decisions. Make your own go-around decisions. By making your own decisions you will be able to show the instructor that you are ready to solo.
Before a student is endorsed for solo he must show both knowledge and compliance with FAR Part 91. He must have the required papers and endorsements of flight and ground training as required by FAR Part 61.87. Solo becomes possible only when the student is proficient. There is no time requirement nor should the student have misconceptions as to time producing proficiency.
Being proficient means that the student can fly the aircraft so as to stabilize climbs, level, and descents. He uses flaps and trim to secure optimum performance. While flying he is able to position the aircraft appropriately in the pattern and safely on the runway. He must understand and correctly respond to ATC communications. He can accommodate The proficient student has his priorities in order, i.e.; fly the plane, navigate, communicate. when in doubt, go around.
You and the instructor will know when you are ready for solo. On the 'day' you will fly three touch and go's or full stops (your option) and a go-around. If they go well the instructor will direct you to the base of the tower. The paper work will be completed. The instructor will go into the tower. You will proceed to the runway and make three touch and go's or full stop landings. Now taxi to the East ramp, it's over.
Soloing is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you will always remember. It is a milestone but the best is yet to come.
Instructor must sign:
license/logbook/proficiency 61.105a 1-5
The instructor will review and test student's:
Use of checklists/verbalize actions
T/O landing procedures/common errors
Use of flaps, carburetor heat
Short approach and go-around
What to do if high/low downwind-base-final
Runway alignment/flare/touchdown
Cross-wind procedures if likely
Radio communications/traffic acknowledgments
Aircraft call up as student pilot
Effect of strong/calm/cross wind
When to go to slow-flight
Essential speeds/use of trim
Clearing/drifting/turns
Traffic procedures
Priorities
Departure Instruction:
Taxiing from tower to longest runway
Clearing approach before entering runway
Rotation/climb-out/heading/wind effect
Airspeed/turns/level-off
Pre-landing/traffic/radio
Expectations the instructor has of the student:
Reasonably smooth ground operations
Tower call up/TO per clearance
No compromises with safe operation at any time
Accurate airspeed control
Adjustment of pattern to conditions/traffic
Acknowledgment of radio calls
Safe controlled landings oriented to runway direction
Smooth/controlled go-around
Smooth/controlled clearing of runway
Ground control call up/taxiing per clearance
INSTRUCTORS APPROVAL OF ALL FLIGHTS
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