        Student Pilot Introduction LetterThe purpose of this letter is to acquaint you with the flight-training program, the expectations placed upon you during this program, and to outline various bits of information and policies of value to you during your training. Training Program Course:This training program is designed to cover the basic areas prescribed in Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 61.102-61.117 as to prepare you for a Private Pilot rating. You are expected to read and fully understand FAR parts 61.81 to 61.93 (Student Pilot) and all of FAR 61.101-61.117 (Private Pilot). Within these regulations is vital information for you regarding the flight-training program that you will undertake.The time it will take you to complete this flight-training program will vary depending on your dedication, availability to fly at regular intervals, and study time devoted. For most, flying approximately one day a week it will take approximately 1 year to complete all the necessary requirements for a Private Pilot’s rating. While the minimum required hours for the rating are 40, many pilots find that a more reasonable amount of time is between 50 an 55 hours of flight time to become comfortable enough to pass the Private Pilot test. This may vary however and students are advised not to judge their time in relation to others, but instead to judge their flight proficiency based upon set standards of completion and their own comfort level. Flight training is not a competition between students, it is a learning process. Rushing this will not yield good pilots. Flight time will be divided approximately equally between dual and solo flight. A typical sequence of events is as follows: Pre-solo. 12-15 hours in which the basic flight maneuvers are covered. These include: preflight inspection, powerplant operations, taxiing, engine runup, straight and level flight, climbs, descents, turns, flight at minimum controllable airspeeds (slowflight), stall recognition and recovery, airport traffic patterns, collision avoidance precautions, wake turbulence, emergencies to include forced landings, and normal takeoffs and landings. Solo. You will receive a minimum of three supervised solos where the instructor will observe takeoffs and landings from the runway. You will then fly 5 hours of solo flight practicing the maneuvers taught during pre-solo flight. Cross-country. Cross country training consists of 3 hours of dual x-c where you will learn to file a flight plan, obtain weather information, plot a course on a chart, apply wind drift corrections and fly the aircraft on the plotted course. You will then complete a minimum of 10 hours solo X-C which will include one to airports with a control tower and one long x-c with three legs, each more than 100 nautical miles. During X-C training you will navigate by pilotage and use of radio navigation (VOR and ADF). Night and Instrument. You will receive 3 hours of night training and 3 hours of instrument training where you will control the aircraft solely by the use of aircraft instruments. Flight Test. Your final phase of training consists of a final review of all training maneuvers which includes up to 4 hours of dual instruction. You will then be scheduled for a flight test with an FAA approved examiner. Ground School. You must complete a ground school training program either on your own or, preferably, as provided through a formal training program. After this is completed, you must complete the Private Pilot Written Test administered by an approved FAA Examination location. This must be completed prior to taking the final flight test. Administrative Requirements, Costs, and Expectations:Insurance. While it is not absolutely necessary, it is recommended that you obtain renter’s insurance for while you are solo flying. I recommend a coverage minimum of $10,000 for Hull Damage and standard liability coverage. While the planes themselves are insured, this will protect you for instances you could become involved in if something unexpected should happen for which you are found negligent. You may never have to use this service, but without it an incident can become extremely expensive.Costs. The overall cost of the entirety of flight training will vary depending on the plane that you decide to fly and how long it takes you to complete the lessons. Schedule. Lessons are by appointment. If an appointment cannot be kept, notification is expected to cancel or reschedule. In the case of adverse weather (inability to fly due to weather minimums or unsafe weather conditions), the lesson will be rescheduled. Lesson Length. The length of each flight lesson will vary slightly depending on the material to be covered and the student’s degree of fatigue. Typically, lessons will be between 1 – 1 ˝ hours of flight time in length. Equipment. Students are expected to wear shoes with a full sole. For many, some form of a sun-limiting device are desirable such as sunglasses or a hat. As a student progresses they will also be expected to purchase and carry with them a current VFR Sectional Chart, state airport directory (such as the Michigan Airport Directory), and a current Airport Facilities Directory. The purchase of a headset may also be an option for during flight. Flight Physical. Students must have a flight physical prior to their solo. This can be a Third Class Medical. Names and telephones of certified FAA doctors can be obtained at the airport. This should be obtained early in the training process to prevent unnecessary expense for flight in the event of a medical condition that would prevent obtaining a pilot’s license. Alcohol and illegal controlled substance use. While by FAA regulations pilots are expected to not have consumed alcoholic beverages for at least 8 hours prior to flight and be below a .04 blood alcohol level, I request a higher standard. For flights over which I serve as the instructor present or the instructor of authorization for the flight I expect at least 12 hours prior to flight of being alcohol free. This is a minimum. This also includes legal tranquilizers or sleep inducing drugs. I would prefer 24 hours, which is the standard that I personally follow. Any illegal controlled substance use is extremely prohibited. This is not just an FAA regulation, but a personal belief of my own as well. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Students found to be in violation of it will no longer be allowed to be a student of mine. This is a safety concern that I do not give any exceptions for. Student Dedication. The acquisition of a Private Pilot’s rating requires dedication on the part of the student for study, learning, and performance. It is advisable that this process be considered fully before undertaking the training. If you are unable to dedicate the required study and practice time, it may not be the appropriate time for you to begin this training. As an instructor, I will dedicate a great deal of time and effort to prepare you to be a competent pilot, please do the same in your own work. Flight Expectations:For flight operations, students are expected to;
- follow all local flight rules, all applicable FAA flight rules (a thorough
review and understanding of FAR 91.61 – 91.109 is required),
- to conduct a preflight prior to each flight, - to remain within the local flight area and land only at the local airport unless on an authorized cross-country flight, - operate the aircraft only as scheduled, - know and understand emergency procedures to include engine fire during startup, fire in-flight, emergency landings, emergency radio procedures, carburetor icing and loss of flaps, - comply with the standard traffic pattern and practice collision avoidance, - use a pilot’s checklist for all appropriate operations within the aircraft, - remain clear of clouds and operate no lower than 500’ AGL in the local area or lower than 1000’ AGL over any town or city, - practice only those maneuvers performed in dual instruction (absolutely no acrobatic maneuvers will be performed), - perform full-stop landings only (no touch and go’s), - know and understand wake turbulence, - be familiar with fuel requirements and color codes along with aircraft servicing. |
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