Document: Aircraft: Author: Last Modified:: Private Pilot Training Notes Cessna 172/R 1.00 Nick Elsey
Document: Aircraft: Author: Last Modified:: Private Pilot Training Notes Cessna 172/R 1.00 Nick Elsey
Document: Aircraft: Author: Last Modified:: Private Pilot Training Notes Cessna 172/R 1.00 Nick Elsey
Summary
This document is a collection of various bits of information that I accumulated during my private
pilot ground and flight training work, which I found difficult to commit to memory and therefore felt
the need for somewhere to put it all down on paper. These are my ‘Cliff Notes’ for private pilot
training.
Disclaimer
This document is provided 'as is'. I make no warranty, explicit or implied, as to the completeness,
accuracy or usefulness of this document. This document is in no way intended to be a
comprehensive review of the FAA Practical test Standards for ground work. You should always
consult the original documents (AIM, FAR, POH, etc.) for accurate information.
Contents
Solo Flight – PTS Maneuvers ...............................................................................................2
Before Every Maneuver: ........................................................................................................................ 2
Group 1: Takeoff and Landings ............................................................................................................ 2
Group 2: Emergencies, Stalls and Slow Flight .................................................................................... 2
Group 3: Turns, Ground Reference and Navigation............................................................................ 3
Group 4: Other Maneuvers .................................................................................................................... 3
Am I Ready to Fly?
Weather Sources – Observations
I’M SAFE PAVE METAR: Routine weather observation from human observers,
Illness Pilot plus AWOS and ASOS data.
Medication Aircraft SPECI: Non-routine weather observation
enVironment PIREP: En-route pilot report
Stress
External pressure AWOS: Automated Weather Observing System. Various levels
Alcohol provide different amounts of data. VHF access.
Fatigue ASOS: Automated Surface Observing System. Newer than
Emotion AWOS. VHF and phone access.
Weather Depiction Chart: Summarizes METAR data,
Getting a Weather Brief showing sky and visibility data. Indicates areas of MVFR and
Be prepared to give for a standard briefing IFR.
(1) Pilot
Radar Summary Chart: Summarizes radar detected
(2) Aircraft call sign
(3) VFR Flight precipitation data, esp. thunderstorms, etc. Shows intensity,
(4) Departure Point & route type, height, direction and speed.
(5) Destination Radar Weather Report: Text version of the Radar Summary
(6) Type of aircraft Chart.
(7) Departure time EFAS: En-route Flight Advisory Service. Provided by Flight
(8) Estimated Time En-route Watch (122.0), gives data on actual weather, winds,
And you will get: turbulence, icing, thunderstorm activity, etc. along route. Also
(1) Adverse conditions (SIGMETS, Cnv SIGMETS, AIRMETS) allow pilots to report same (PIREPs). Transmits AIRMETS,
(2) Overall Synopsis SIGMETS and Convective SIGMETS.
(3) Current weather (METARS) TWEB: Transcribed Weather Broadcasts. Continuous
(4) Pilot Reports
recordings of weather & aeronautical information, transmitted
(5) Forecast Weather (TAF - En-route & destination)
from some VORs and NDBs. Mainly route orientated, includes
(6) Winds Aloft
forecasts also.
(7) NOTAMS
AIRMET: Airmen’s Meteorological Information. Information
Weather Sources – Forecasts pertinent to small single aircraft on: icing & freezing (AIRMET
Zulu); turbulence, winds & wind shear (AIRMET Tango); IFR
FA: Area Forecasts (e.g. San Francisco for western states). 12
conditions, visibility and mountain obscurement (AIRMET
hour forecast with addition 6 hour outlook.
Sierra). Issued every 6 hours or as required.
TAF: Terminal Aerodrome Forecast: 24 hour forecast for
SIGMET: Significant Meteorological Information. Information
selected airports.
pertinent to all pilots on: severe / extreme turbulence not
FD: Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast. associated with thunderstorms; severe icing (other than TS);
Prognostic Charts: Significant Weather Prognostic Charts. dust-storms, sand-storms & volcanic ash reducing vis to <3m;
Four panels showing weather from the surface up to FL240 volcanic eruption. Issued as needed.
(top 2 charts), and surface weather (lower two), for 12 hours Convective SIGMET: Significant Meteorological Information,
hence (left two) and for 24 hours hence (right two). Upper pertinent to all pilots on thunderstorms (due to surface winds >
panels show sky & visibility conditions, turbulence & freezing. 50 kts; ¾” or larger hail), embedded thunderstorms, a line of
Lower panels show highs, lows, fronts and other significant thunderstorms and tornadoes. Issued at 55 past each hour,
weather. valid for 2 hours with additional 4 hour outlook. Issued for each
TWEB: See below. of 3 regions.
HIWAS: Hazardous InFlight Weather Advisory Service.
Continuous broadcast of all in flight weather advisories
(SIGMET, Convective SIGMET, AIRMET and urgent PIREPs).
Personal Equipment
& Hood or foggles
& Watch
& Current aeronautical charts
& E6B computer
& Plotter
& Completed flight plan
& Completed flight navigation Log with weight & balance data
& Current AIM
& Current Airport Facility Directory
& Other ‘appropriate publications’
& Personal Records
& Photo Identification with signature
& Pilot Certificate
& Current medical certificate
& Completed 8710-1 form with instructor sign off
& Airman knowledge test report with instructor sign off on missed questions (FAR 61.105(b))
& Examiner’s fee / check book
An Airworthy Airplane:
Airplane Documents
& Airworthiness Certificate
& Registration Certificate
& Operating Limitations
& Pilot’s Operating Handbook
Airplane Maintenance Records
& Airframe Logbook
& Engine Logbook
& Proof of 100 hour inspection
& Proof of annual inspection
& Proof of ELT inspection (last 12 months)
& Proof of Transponder inspection (last 24 months)