The private pilot syllabus sequence below is based on my experience as an instructor and observations of student pilot learning habits over several years. Flight lessons are in shown in gray text, ground topics are in green, and useful links and videos are listed in blue. The selected videos are consistent with the methods I use to teach and will help you develop questions and expectations prior to the associated lesson. Reviewing the attached references prior to the associated flight will improve your efficiency in executing the syllabus and provide for a more enjoyable learning experience.
Phase 1: Maneuvers and Airmanship
Basic maneuvers (5 Hours)
1. Straight and Level, turns, climbs descents
- Four forces of flight, straight and level, coordinated turns, controls
+ Aircraft controls
+ Effect of aircraft control movements
+ Straight and level
+ Climbing
+ Descending - Note: I do not teach idle power for most normal descents. While the concept demonstrated in the video is a valid method, it's not always the most efficient technique and can be uncomfortable for passengers depending on the airspeed selected
+ Turns
----
Ground Lesson 1 (<--- Click for reference document):
Lift and Drag
Coefficient of lift vs AOA
Stalls and spins
Total drag curve (max L/D)
Best angle of climb / Best rate of climb / Best glide speed
----
2. Slow flight
- Introduce normal takeoffs (<--- Click for reference document)
- Interpreting flight instrument
- Communication procedures,
+ Slow flight demo
+ Total drag and it's relationship to airspeed
+ Flight Instruments (Part 1 of 3) - These 3 videos are 1 hour
+ Flight Instruments (Part 2 of 3) - combined length, but well worth
+ Flight Instruments (Part 3 of 3) - the time investment.
----
3. Power on stalls
Power off stalls
Falling leaf, elevator trim, accelerated, and secondary stalls (CFI Demo only)
Introduce normal landings
- Aircraft systems (electrical, hydraulic, pitot-static, suction, power plant, landing gear, and brakes)
- Airport environment and local procedures
+ Power off stall demo
+ Power on stall demo
+ Local Procedures <---- Click here to learn the area!
- Note: The ERAU videos show these maneuvers in a "glass cockpit" Cessna 172. While different than most typical training aircraft, the concepts and techniques described are fairly universal between training aircraft.
----
4. Steep turns - refining control
- Load factor and how it affects stall speed, uncoordinated flight affect on stall performance
+ Steep turn demo
+ Load factor and maneuvering speed graphics
----
5. Instrument Reference
- Sectional Charts
+ SkyVector - You can explore sectional charts, as well as airport taxiway diagrams and many other published charts, on the SkyVector website.
Ground Reference Maneuvers (3 Hours)
During this phase of flight training, you will learn to maneuver the airplane with reference to ground features while accounting for wind speed and direction - maintaining constant radius turns and tracking straight lines.
6. Rectangular patterns
+ Rectangular course video
----
7. Turns around a point
+ Turns around a point
----
8. S-turns
+ S-turns video
Takeoffs and Landings (5.5 Hours)
9. Normal Takeoffs and Landings
- Weight and Balance and Aircraft Performance
+ Landing video
----
10. Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings
- Interpreting weather and weather sources
+ Aviation weather - 2 hour video, but an excellent reference and highly recommended investment of time.
----
11. Instrument Reference and Landing Proficiency
- Complete airspace review
Emergencies (2.5 Hours)
12. Engine failure in flight
- Surviving your most feared emergency
- Risk Management
- Personal minimums
13. - Emergency descents
- Engine failure on takeoff
- Engine fire (startup, in flight)
- Electrical failure
1. Straight and Level, turns, climbs descents
- Four forces of flight, straight and level, coordinated turns, controls
+ Aircraft controls
+ Effect of aircraft control movements
+ Straight and level
+ Climbing
+ Descending - Note: I do not teach idle power for most normal descents. While the concept demonstrated in the video is a valid method, it's not always the most efficient technique and can be uncomfortable for passengers depending on the airspeed selected
+ Turns
----
Ground Lesson 1 (<--- Click for reference document):
Lift and Drag
Coefficient of lift vs AOA
Stalls and spins
Total drag curve (max L/D)
Best angle of climb / Best rate of climb / Best glide speed
----
2. Slow flight
- Introduce normal takeoffs (<--- Click for reference document)
- Interpreting flight instrument
- Communication procedures,
+ Slow flight demo
+ Total drag and it's relationship to airspeed
+ Flight Instruments (Part 1 of 3) - These 3 videos are 1 hour
+ Flight Instruments (Part 2 of 3) - combined length, but well worth
+ Flight Instruments (Part 3 of 3) - the time investment.
----
3. Power on stalls
Power off stalls
Falling leaf, elevator trim, accelerated, and secondary stalls (CFI Demo only)
Introduce normal landings
- Aircraft systems (electrical, hydraulic, pitot-static, suction, power plant, landing gear, and brakes)
- Airport environment and local procedures
+ Power off stall demo
+ Power on stall demo
+ Local Procedures <---- Click here to learn the area!
- Note: The ERAU videos show these maneuvers in a "glass cockpit" Cessna 172. While different than most typical training aircraft, the concepts and techniques described are fairly universal between training aircraft.
----
4. Steep turns - refining control
- Load factor and how it affects stall speed, uncoordinated flight affect on stall performance
+ Steep turn demo
+ Load factor and maneuvering speed graphics
----
5. Instrument Reference
- Sectional Charts
+ SkyVector - You can explore sectional charts, as well as airport taxiway diagrams and many other published charts, on the SkyVector website.
Ground Reference Maneuvers (3 Hours)
During this phase of flight training, you will learn to maneuver the airplane with reference to ground features while accounting for wind speed and direction - maintaining constant radius turns and tracking straight lines.
6. Rectangular patterns
+ Rectangular course video
----
7. Turns around a point
+ Turns around a point
----
8. S-turns
+ S-turns video
Takeoffs and Landings (5.5 Hours)
9. Normal Takeoffs and Landings
- Weight and Balance and Aircraft Performance
+ Landing video
----
10. Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings
- Interpreting weather and weather sources
+ Aviation weather - 2 hour video, but an excellent reference and highly recommended investment of time.
----
11. Instrument Reference and Landing Proficiency
- Complete airspace review
Emergencies (2.5 Hours)
12. Engine failure in flight
- Surviving your most feared emergency
- Risk Management
- Personal minimums
13. - Emergency descents
- Engine failure on takeoff
- Engine fire (startup, in flight)
- Electrical failure
Phase 2: Solo and Cross Country
Solo Preparation and First Solo (2 Hours)
14. Landing proficiency
- FAA Regulations (Part 61, Part 91)
- Pre-solo knowledge test complete
- Weather resources and PIC responsibilities
15. First solo (Solo)
Expanding Skills (4 Hours)
16. Review maneuvers and Proficiency (Solo)
----
17. Soft field takeoffs and Landings
----
18. Maneuver practice (Solo)
Cross Country (5 Hours)
19. Pilotage and DR cross country
- Cross country planning , VFR weather planning and briefing
----
20. Electronic navigation cross country
- GPS System, VOR/NDB usage
----
21. All systems cross country
----
22. Night flying
- Night flying physiology, understanding what you see (mountainous features), pilot controlled lighting, landing differences
Solo Cross Country (10 Hours)
23. First Solo Cross Country (Solo)
24. Night Cross Country
25. Second Solo Cross Country (Solo)
26. Emergencies and Instrument Review
27. Long Solo Cross Country (Solo)
14. Landing proficiency
- FAA Regulations (Part 61, Part 91)
- Pre-solo knowledge test complete
- Weather resources and PIC responsibilities
15. First solo (Solo)
Expanding Skills (4 Hours)
16. Review maneuvers and Proficiency (Solo)
----
17. Soft field takeoffs and Landings
----
18. Maneuver practice (Solo)
Cross Country (5 Hours)
19. Pilotage and DR cross country
- Cross country planning , VFR weather planning and briefing
----
20. Electronic navigation cross country
- GPS System, VOR/NDB usage
----
21. All systems cross country
----
22. Night flying
- Night flying physiology, understanding what you see (mountainous features), pilot controlled lighting, landing differences
Solo Cross Country (10 Hours)
23. First Solo Cross Country (Solo)
24. Night Cross Country
25. Second Solo Cross Country (Solo)
26. Emergencies and Instrument Review
27. Long Solo Cross Country (Solo)
Phase 3: Checkride preparation
Practical Review (3 Hours)
28. Maneuvers Review
29. Maneuvers Review (Solo)
30. Pre-checkride Review
- FAA Regulations review
Checkride
28. Maneuvers Review
29. Maneuvers Review (Solo)
30. Pre-checkride Review
- FAA Regulations review
Checkride