Pilot QuickStart TM by Course Syllabus SESSION 1: Basic Aircraft Control Objective: Familiarization with Cessna 172 Skyhawk and basic aircraft control Reading Chapters 1 thru 4 QS 1.1 thru QS 1.7 (Link to videos: Pilot QuickStart Videos) On-line tutorials The Main Parts of the Airplane The Airplane s Flight Controls (See document Directions to On-Line tutorials for login information) Overview: Build upon session 1 home-study Learn basic aircraft components, flight controls and cockpit familiarization, using a C-172SP Skyhawk. Discover 4 forces, 3 axis and basic aerodynamics as direct application with a Cessna Skyhawk Simulator session: start up though controlling the aircraft through level, turns, climbs and descents Demonstrations: Introduction to Alpha Pilots academy and the adventure of the Pilot QuickStart program (10 min) Familiarization with Air Associates new-generation Cessna 172SP Skyhawk (15 min) First flight items in simulator C-172SP intro to checklist, start-up procedure, taxi practice, first instructor-guided takeoff (15 min) Guided introduction and practice of aircraft control: turns, climbs, descents (40 min) [pitch + power = performance] visual reference attitude flying with basic instrument cross-checks Understanding function of aircraft controls, basic aerodynamics and aircraft control. Able to perform straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs and descents (+/- 300 ) in the simulator Debrief and setup for home study for next session (10 min)
SESSION 2: Improving Aircraft Control and Configuration Changes Objective: Learn to configure and fly the aircraft in slow flight and landing approach mode Reading Chapters 5-6 Other Overview: Build upon session 2 home-study module and simulator session 1 Slow flight aerodynamics and region of reverse command control Simulator session: review and slow flight practice transitioning to landing approach set up Demonstrations: (discussion at aircraft with images and aircraft model before simulator session) Configuration changes in C-172SP Slow flight maneuvering and descent profile control Region of reverse command special issues, aerodynamics, recovery from high angle of attack Practice checklists, start-up, taxi and takeoff (5 min) Review of turns, climbs and descents (10 min) Demonstration of slow flight setup and maneuvering effect of individual control inputs (4 min) Effective configurations and region of reverse command demonstration (4 min) Guided practice of configuration changes (12 min) Guided practice of slow flight level, turns and transition to/from cruise (+/- 250 ) (15 min) Guided practice on controlled descents and level-offs at approach speed (15 min) More complete understanding aircraft controls, basic aerodynamics and aircraft control. Able to startup, taxi and takeoff with instructor assistance Configure and fly in landing configuration (+10/-5kts +/- 250 ) Apply proper control inputs for a stable approach-type descent (+10/-5kts +/- 300fpm) Debrief and setup for home study for next session (5 min)
SESSION 2.5 Optional Flight This flight is optional and will incur an additional charge for each pilot. Read Read document: Guide to Making Radio Calls Review document: NATO Phonetic Alphabet QS3.1 Radio Communications Objective: Experience all of the components of a full mission including: pre-flight, weather briefing, ground control, tower control, taxi, take-off, and landing. Learn to taxi the actual air plane. Overview: Build on simulator Sessions 1 and 2 and apply those skills in the actual aircraft. Become familiar with the equipment and systems in the plane before advancing to simulator sessions 3 and 4. Participate in a pre-flight making use of the check list Listen to a weather briefing and note the pertinent information. Listen to a radio call to Ground Control and learn the basic communications flow. Listen to a radio call to Tower Control and learn the typical communications exchange. Become familiar with the taxiways and runways used in the graduation flight. Experience the airport traffic pattern and entry. Experience an approach and landing. Demonstrations: Use of the checklists for pre-flight (10 min) Weather briefing and instrument set-up and calibration (5 min) Flying lesson: Start-up and taxi with minimal assistance (5 min) Taxiing on the ramp and taxiways (10 min) Observe take-off, short cruise and landing (10 min) Pre-flight Understand weather briefing Understand basic components of radio calls Startup and taxi with minimal assistance Understanding of the major components of a mission
SESSION 3: Basic Navigation and Radio Communications Read Chapters 7-8 Read document: Guide to Making Radio Calls Review document: NATO Phonetic Alphabet QS3.1 Radio Communications QS3.2 Traffic Patterns QS 4.1 Approach and Landing Other Review the Aeronautical Chart (the map of the sky) Objective: Learn GPS direct-to navigation and basic radio communication Overview: Build upon session 3 home-study module and simulator session 2 Learn basic GPS-based point-to-point navigation Area familiarization (area you will do your graduation flight in) Review of radio calls (prep to make one radio call on grad flight) Airport traffic pattern entry discussion and execution in simulator En route descent procedures Approach and landing discussion and simulator demonstration and student practice Demonstrations: GPS direct-to navigation in simulator (5 min) Traffic patterns and basic radio discussion (10 min) Full approach and landing (5 min) Start-up, taxi and takeoff with minimal assistance (5 min) Review of session 2 flight maneuvers (10 min) Demo flight plan for distant destination of significance (student s choice: ie. KSIK, K15, 3M0, KDTS) GPS direct-to setup and navigation to airport to be used on graduation flight (15 min) Route familiarization Basic radio communications practice En route (cruise) descent Full approach and landing practice (aircraft repositioned to base leg multiple times (20 min) Review and practice of any maneuver to meet session 1-3 Completion Goal. (20 min) Startup, taxi and takeoff with minimal assistance Able to program and fly a direct-to GPS route Cruise descent to airport traffic pattern Configure for landing approach and fly a stable approach descent (+10/-5kts +/- 300fpm) Debrief and setup for home study for next session (5 min)
SESSION 4: Putting It All Together Flying a Mission Reading Other Review document Airport Signs and Markings Quick Reference Objective: In this session the students will fly (the simulator) in a complete mission - from startup to landing at destination airport, with coaching as needed. Overview: Landing practice and review of any areas needing additional practice Putting everything together to fly a trip in the simulator Review of any maneuvers needing additional practice (15 min) Traffic pattern entry, approach and landing practice from multiple airborne repositions (20 min) Fly an entire trip to local airport with final coaching and refining (20 min) Local simulator flight from any US airport student would like to fly to when a private pilot (15 min) Able to fly point-to-point from startup to landing at a designated airport with final coaching as needed Prepared to fly instructor-supervised point-to-point flight in C-172SP: startup through final approach, with minimal assistance and then land at destination with instructor assistance. Debrief and preparation for graduation flight in C-172SP (15 min)
Session 5: GRADUATION FLIGHT in a Cessna 172SP airplane Read Other Review the Landing Patterns and Airport Diagrams in Chapter 7 Objective: Fly a Cessna 172 airplane from startup to landing at destination airport (with coaching as needed). St Louis participants will fly from KSUS (Sprit of St. Louis) to KFYG (Washington Regional) and back. Kansas City participants will fly from KOJC to KIXD Overview: Pre-flight: Plane, Weather and Conditions Start-up and run-up Radio call to Ground Control Taxi to active runway (as directed by Ground Control) Radio call to Tower Takeoff and fly to destination Fly approach and line up for final. Instructor-assisted landing Debrief: Celebrate!