Part 61 PRIVATE PILOT GROUND SCHOOL SYLLABUS Revision 1 03/01/2017 Steffen Franz ADVANCED GROUND INSTRUCTOR BELMONT, CA, 94002, 650.255.1290
Private Pilot Ground School Part 61 Training Course Outline 2
The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who, in their grueling travels across trackless lands in prehistoric times, looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space, at full speed, above all obstacles, on the infinite highway of the air. Wilbur Wright You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky. Amelia Earhart 3
Table of Contents Revision Log... 5 Enrollment Certificate... 6 Graduation Certificate... 7 Course Overview... 9 Introduction Course Overview Course Objectives Prerequisites for Enrollment Course Schedule and Assignments... 13 4
Revision Log Revision Revision Pages Date of Reason for Number Date Affected Insertion Changes Original Issue 3/1/2017 ALL 3/1/2017 Original Issue 5
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Graduation Certificate ---- add certificate here ---- 7
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Course Overview Steffen Franz s Private Pilot Ground Training Syllabus Create and Presented by: Steffen Franz/Advanced Ground Instructor Belmont, CA, 94002 steffen-franz@sbcglobal.net Introduction: To know the road ahead, you must ask those coming back. Don't be afraid to ask for guidance from others. Chinese proverb. Welcome to my official ground school and your first step into the exiting world of aviation. As I was taught when I started to learn how to fly, I would like to teach you the fundamentals of becoming a knowledgably and safe pilot. No matter if you want to fly as a hobby or maybe even consider a more professional career in aviation, it all starts becoming a certified private pilot. This course is designed to prepare the student all the topics needed to successfully pass the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge (written) exam. This course can be taken in conjunction with a student s flight training or completely independent of any flying lessons current or prior. A student must complete the knowledge test as well a practical test to receive a private pilot license. By systematically preparing the student to get an understanding of the aircraft, it s systems, how to fly and what regulations to follow. The skills learned throughout the course will be applicable to pass the written and oral exam. Students who demonstrate competency in the required knowledge as set forth by FAR part 61.105 will be endorsed to take the FAA private pilot knowledge test. The course will cover the following aviation topics: Principles of Flight, charts, navigation, aircraft systems, environmental factors, aviation operations, aircraft structure and capability, radio communication, meteorology, air traffic control procedures and FAA regulations. This course is for an airplane. 9
Course Format: The Ground School presented here is an [insert number here] week class. Classes are scheduled once per week for a three-hour instruction at each class. Usually an hour consists of 50 minutes of instruction and a 10-minute break. However, the hour can be more organic and involve question and answer and/or group activity sessions. The class provides a total of [insert number here] of presented materials including two (2) stage exams and a final exam. Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may learn. Involve me and I will remember Unknown Course Objective: Expose student pilots to the world of aviation and to learn the aeronautical knowledge required by the FAA for Private Pilot, Airplane, Single-Engine Land certification. Completion Standards: Students will demonstrate by written exam that the knowledge required for the Private Pilot Knowledge Exam as prescribed in CFAR Part 61 has been met Prerequisites for Enrollment: There are no requirements to enroll in this course as this course is independent of flight training. Attendance and Expectations: Flying for fun or for a profession can be very rewarding; however, it takes a lot of dedication and integrity to maintain a safe environment for you and the people around you. Life does get in the way sometimes. If you must miss a class session, please let the instructor know ahead of time, and as courtesy to your classmates. If in the event the instructor is absent there will be a substitute instructor with the same credentials to cover that day s lesson. 10
Grading: Exams in this test will not represent a formal school education grading format. No letter grades are given. However, it is expected that students pass the Final Exam tests with a score of at least 80%. Upon passing the final exam test, a completed authorization (signed by an FAA Certified Ground Instructor) a Certificate of Completion and a signoff for the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Test will be issued. The student must take the signed authorization to a Computer Testing Center (CATS) within the next [insert days here] days and complete the FAA Knowledge Test. We recommend the C.A.T.S. testing center. For locations and appointments C.A.T.S (800) 947-4228, (650)259-8550 Some flight schools may also offer testing. Disclaimer: The Instructor reserves the right to require extra training before endorsing the Private Pilot Knowledge test endorsement based on the student s knowledge of the material required. At the end of each lesson the student and the instructor will initial the ground school log sheet with a description of what material was covered in class that day, and date it. If there are any questions a student may have of his or her progress at any time during the duration of the class, please feel free to contact the instructor for a one on one meeting. The instructor holds the right to change items in this syllabus and course as needed, but ample notice will be given of any such changes. 11
Required Learning Materials: FAR/AIM (current year) San Francisco Sectional and San Francisco Terminal Chart (current effective dates) Chart Supplement Book (formerly Airport Facilities Directory) (current) E6B Flight Computer Navigation Plotter Pilot Logbook (your flight school may provide this for you) Notebook and Writing Material (Pencil and Eraser for Flight Planning Session(s)) Optional Material: Jeppesen Guided Flight Discovery Private Pilot Pilot s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Airplane Flying Handbook Airman Certification Standards (Private Pilot, Single Engine Land and Sea) Gleim Private Pilot FAA Knowledge Test Cost: This is an official ground course and is, though sometimes offered through a flight school, not affiliated with any flight school or training facility. The skills learned in this course will carry with you no matter where you pursue your actual flight training. Recommendations on flights schools in your area may be given by the instructor. The cost of the ground school is [insert number here] dollars. Required Material is not covered in this amount. There may be additional fees if this ground school is offered through a flying club. Flying Clubs usually charge a separate monthly membership fee. The ground school offered provides not only the opportunity to obtain required aeronautical knowledge, but the opportunity to receive quality training at a price that leaves room to afford flying lessons with the knowledge learned. Typical flight training school can cost up to $100 or more per hour. At an average of 20-30hrs ground school, this can cost up to $3000 or more. 12
Course Schedule and Assignments The ground school presented here consists of three stages. Stage One Covers Airplane Components, Airplane Operations and the Basics of Aerodynamics Stage Two Covers Airport Procedure and Operations, FAA Regulations, Communication and Flight Information and Weather Theory Stage Three Covers Aircraft Performance, Aeromedical and Human Factors, Navigation and Cross Country Flying At the end of Stage One and Stage Two, an exam is given. A final (Stage Three) exam is scheduled at the end of the [insert number here] week class period. The Stage Three exam is a comprehensive exam given on the last official day of class. Directed Self-Study In the event a student misses one or more lessons that student may complete the ground lessons missed by self-study of the class material. Once the student completes the ground lessons missed, that student is eligible for the appropriate stage or final exams. Stage exams are not pass/fail, but the Final Exam is. 13
Stage 1 Stage 1 Objectives: In this stage, the student is introduced to the airplane s major components and learns the basics of aerodynamics, the airplane s electrical system and the airplane s flight instruments, as these subjects pertain to typical light airplane operations by a private pilot. Stage 1 Completion Standards: Completion of this stage will occur when the student takes the Stage One exam and completing it. There is no pass/fail for this test. The instructor can orally review each incorrect response by request, thus ensuring an adequate understanding of the material before proceeding to the next stage. Ground Lesson 1 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Airplane Airplane Power Plant Flight Instruments Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop a basic understanding of an airplane s major components and the terms used in the operation of an airplane. Lesson Content: Airplane Systems Jepp.Chapter 2 Airplane Instruments, Engines and Systems Gleim Chapter 2 Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor. 14
Ground Lesson 2 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Four Forces of Flight Stability Aerodynamic of maneuvering flight Stage 1 Exam Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop an understanding of the basic aerodynamic principles of flight from the four forces to ground effect. The Stage 1 exam, time permitting, will be administered during class or given to the student to complete in preparation for the next class Lesson Content: Aerodynamic Principles Jepp. Chapter 3 Airplanes and Aerodynamics Gleim Chapter 2 Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor and complete Stage 1 exam 15
Stage 2 Stage 2 Objectives: In this stage, the student will be introduced to Airport Procedure and Operations, FAA Regulations, Communication and Flight Information and Weather Theory, as these subjects pertain to typical light airplane operations by a private pilot. Stage 2 Completion Standards: Completion of this stage will occur when the student takes the Stage Two exam and completing it. There is no pass/fail for this test. The instructor can orally review each incorrect response by request, thus ensuring an adequate understanding of the material before proceeding to the next stage. Ground Lesson 3 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Safety of Flight Airports Aeronautical Charts Airspace Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop an understanding of the Flight Environment regarding Airport Operations and how Airspace can be identified on Aeronautical charts. Lesson Content: The Flight Environment Jepp. Chapter 4 Airports, Air Traffic Control, and Airspace Gleim Chapter 3 Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor 16
Ground Lesson 4 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Radar and ATC Services Radio Procedures Sources of Flight Information Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop an understanding of Communication & Flight Information Lesson Content: Communication and Flight Information Jepp. Chapter 5 Airports, Air Traffic Control, and Airspace Gleim Chapter 3 Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor 17
Ground Lesson 5 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Basic Weather Theory Weather Patterns Weather Hazards Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop a basic understanding of weather theory from atmospheric circulation to atmospheric stability. Lesson Content: Meteorology for Pilots Jepp. Chapter 6 Aviation Weather Gleim Chapter 7 Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor 18
Ground Lesson 6 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: The Forecasting Process Printed Reports and Forecasts Graphic Weather Products Sources of Weather Information Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop a basic understanding of weather reporting services including telephone weather briefings as well as textual and graphic weather reports. The Stage 2 exam, time permitting, will be administered during class or given to the student to complete in preparation for the next class Lesson Content: Interpreting Weather Data Jepp. Chapter 7 Aviation Weather Services Gleim Chapter 8 Stage 2 Exam Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor 19
Ground Lesson 7 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Predicting Performance Weight and Balance Flight Computer Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop a basic understanding of airplane performance computation. Additionally, the student will become familiar with and develop an understanding of the basic terms needed to compute an airplane s weight and balance. Lesson Content: Airplane Performance Jepp. Chapter 8 Airplane Performance and Weight and Balance Gleim Chapter 5 Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor 20
Ground Lesson 8 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Pilotage and Dead Reckoning VOR Navigation ADF Navigation Advanced Navigation Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop a basic understanding of dead reckoning navigation, wind effects on a course, flight planning, time, speed, distance and fuel usage computation as well as density altitude, true altitude and true airspeed computation. Lesson Content: Navigation Jepp. Chapter 9 Navigation Systems Gleim Chapter 10 Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor 21
Ground Lesson 9 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Pilotage and Dead Reckoning VOR Navigation ADF Navigation Advanced Navigation Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop a basic understanding of dead reckoning navigation, wind effects on a course, flight planning, time, speed, distance and fuel usage computation as well as density altitude, true altitude and true airspeed computation. Lesson Content: Navigation Jepp. Chapter 9 Navigation Systems Gleim Chapter 10 Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor 22
Ground Lesson 10 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Aviation Physiology Aeronautical Decision Making Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop a basic understanding of the physiological and mental hazards associated with flight as well as the principles or making decision towards the safe and successful outcome of any flight. Lesson Content: Applying Human Factors Principles Jepp. Chapter 10 Aeromedical Factors and Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) Gleim Chapter 6 Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor 23
Ground Lesson 11 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: The Flight Planning Process The Flight Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the student will become familiar with and develop a basic understanding of how to perform the necessary pre-flight considerations and calculations to complete a cross country flight. Lesson Content: Flying Cross Country Jepp. Chapter 11 Cross Country Flight Planning Gleim Chapter 11 Completion Standards: Complete [insert number here] Questions given by the instructor 24
Ground Lesson 12 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Final Exam Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the instructor will review the material presented in class and the student will have the opportunity to ask questions on any topic. A final exam will be presented after the review. Lesson Content: Class Review and Exam Completion Standards: The student will complete the written exam with a minimum score of 80% and the instructor will review each incorrect answer to ensure that the student understands the item missed. 25
Ground Lesson 12 Presentation Format: Any combination of visual or oral means may be used to present the required information. Recommended Presentation Sequence: Final Exam Lesson Objective: During this lesson, the instructor will review the material presented in class and the student will have the opportunity to ask questions on any topic. A final exam will be presented after the review. Lesson Content: Class Review and Exam Completion Standards: The student will complete the written exam with a minimum score of 80% and the instructor will review each incorrect answer to ensure that the student understands the item missed. 26