Name:
Flight to the Practice Area
Credits:
Basic WINGS
1 Credit for Basic Flight Topic 2
1 Credit for Basic Flight Topic 3
Activity Number:
EducAvia-PVT-ASEL-002
Provided by:
EducAviation

FLIGHT TO THE PRACTICE AREA

This activity may be completed by anyone with a private pilot certificate, or higher, who wishes to earn a basic level of WINGS.  Two flight activity credits (Basic Flight 2 and Basic Flight 3) are awarded for successful completion of this activity to the standards published in the current Private Pilot ACS.  It is highly recommended that activity number EducAvia-PVT-ASEL-001 be first completed within 12 calender months.

BRIEFING

Preflight Assessment of Airman

  • Inspection of Airman Using I'M-SAFE Checklist
  • Required Airman Documents

Preflight Assessment of Environment

  • Local Weather Conditions
  • Local Weather Forecast

Airport Analysis

  • Runways and Taxiways
  • Surface Markings and Lighting Systems
  • Communications and Light Signals
  • Wake Turbulence Avoidance

Airspace Analysis

  • Traffic Pattern Altitudes, Entry, and Exit
  • Dead Reckoning Calculations For Flight To/From Practice Area
  • Practice Area Entry, Use, and Exit
  • Review of Nearby Civil Use and Special Use Airspace
  • Collision Avoidance and Clearing Turns

Flight Deck Management

  • Checklist Usage (Flows vs. Read-Do)
  • Task Prioritization
  • Single Pilot Resource Management

Mission

  • Operational Plan
  • Hazards With Emphasis On Spin Awareness
  • Aerodynamics During Straight and Level Flight, Turns, Stalls, and Spins
  • Affects of Wind On Flight Path and Ground Track
  • Successful Completion Standards
  • Go/No-Go Decision

 

PREFLIGHT

Preflight Assessment of Aircraft

  • Required Airworthiness Inspections
  • Required ARrOW Documents
  • Preflight Inspection
  • Takeoff and Landing Performance Data

Passenger Safety Briefing

  • Seat Belt and Shoulder Harness Use
  • Emergency Egress and Door Operation
  • Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear
  • Sterile Cockpit and No Smoking Rules
  • Designation of Pilot-In-Command and Positive Exchange of Flight Controls

Engine Starting

Taxiing

  • Inspection of Flight Instruments
  • Surface Collision Avoidance
  • Runway Incursion Avoidance

Before Takeoff Check

 

FLIGHT

Takeoff, Climb, and Departure

  • Student should chose the appropriate takeoff and climb techniques based on field conditions and performance requirements.
  • Student should comply with local traffic patterns, departure procedures, and noise abatement requirements.
  • Student and instructor should both look outside to avoid terrain, obstacles, hazardous weather, and other traffic.
  • Student should effectively communicate with the ATCT or CTAF, as appropriate.
  • Student should use appropriate flows and checklists effectively.

Cruise and Pre-Maneuver

  • Student should select an appropriate en route cruise altitude higher than 1500 AGL and navigate to the practice area via dead reckoning.
  • Student should communicate intentions with the practice area's UNICOM, TRACON, or ARTCC prior to entry.
  • Student should use appropriate flows and checklists effectively..
  • Student should complete clearing turns as needed to reduce the risk of collisions inside the practice area.

Maneuvers (1500 AGL minimum)

  • PERFORMANCE MANEUVER
    • Steep Turns
  • SLOW FLIGHT AND STALLS
    • Maneuvering During Slow Flight
    • Power-Off Stalls
    • Power-On Stalls
    • Spin Awareness
  • BASIC INSTRUMENT MANEUVERS
    • Straight-and-Level Flight
    • Constant Airspeed Climbs
    • Constant Airspeed Descents
    • Turns to Headings
    • Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes
    • Radio Communications, Navigation Systems/Facilities, and Radar Services
  • NAVIGATION
    • Pilotage
    • Navigation Systems and Radar Services
    • Diversion
    • Lost Procedures

Maneuvers (500 AGL minimum)

  • EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
    • Emergency Descent
  • GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVERS
    • S-Turns
    • Turns-Around-A-Point

NOTE:  Clearing turns should be repeated as needed to ensure the practice remains clear of traffic, terrain, obstacles, and hazardous weather.

NOTE:  Maneuvers may be repeated at the instructor's discretion to ensure student is meeting the current Private Pilot ACS. 

Post-Maneuver and Cruise

  • Student should select an appropriate en route cruise altitude higher than 1500 AGL
  • Student should navigate from the practice area to the airport via pilotage.
  • Student should acquire current weather conditions for the landing airport.

Arrival, Approach, and Landing

  • Student should communicate arrival intentions with the ARTCC, TRACON, ATCT, or CTAF as appropriate.
  • Student should chose an appropriate arrival route to be flown in coordination with the ATCT or CTAF as appropriate.
  • Student should descend and join the traffic pattern in coordination with the ATCT or CTAF to minimize collision hazards.
  • Student should chose the appropriate approach and landing techniques based on field conditions and performance requirements.
  • Student should use appropriate flows and checklists effectively.

 

POST-FLIGHT

After Landing Check

Parking and Securing

Post-Flight Inspection

 

DEBRIEFING

Evaluate performance of each maneuver using, at minimum, the current Private Pilot ACS.

Discuss aerodynamics of each maneuver with focus on direction of lift and induced drag.

Discuss loss-of-control accidents and avoidance focusing on both aerodynamics and human factors.

Review aerodynamic characteristics of stalls and spins with emphasis on entry, propagation, and recovery.