Become a Pilot

Private Pilot Training Syllabus

Before I begin explaining my preferred teaching Syllabus for the private pilot license let me first say that there are many ways to get to the end goal of getting your license. What I mean by that is, this syllabus which I use and developed with a fellow instructor is not written in stone, it is a general guideline for the private pilot course.

You have to understand that flight lessons are a 1 on 1 thing and everyone learns differently and your instructor might be doing something completely different with you than another student. But even though flight lessons are tailored for the individual there still has to be some structure. For example, a baby first crawls than walks, or you wouldn’t build a house starting at the roof – that doesn’t make sense.  The same is in aviation, you learn the basics and than you build on that so that you can perform complex tasks.

So now here is a my commonsens guidline (syllabus) to the private pilot license. This guide line follows a structure that builds your knowledge from the basic to the advanced and this is what I use with my students. Here it is:

Stage 1: Basic Flight Maneuvers

Lesson # 1 – Dual 1.0 hour

  • Aircraft Familiarization.
  • Preflight Check (walk around) Inspection.
  • Checklist usage: before start, after start, pre takeoff.
  • Taxing & Ground Operating Procedures.
  • Introduction to the four fundamentals.
  • Post flight Procedures, Parking & Securing Airplane.

Lesson # 2 – Dual 1.5 hour

  • Aircraft preflight, use of checklist.
  • Review of lesson #1 with emphasis on correct
  • ground operations.
  • Geographical orientation & general awareness.
  • Effect & use of controls.

Lesson # 3 – Dual 1.5 hr

  • Increased proficiency in the four fundamentals.
  • Normal takeoff & climb.
  • Straight and level flight.
  • Intro to the integrated method of airplane control:
  • visual & instrument reference usage.
  • Climbs flight at various airspeeds.
  • Glides.
  • Power-off stalls.

Do you have your medical?

Stage CheckInstructor ground school and/or Quiz.

Stage 2: Advanced Air work

Lesson # 4 – Dual 1.5 hour

  • Medium & advance turning
  • Slow flight.
  • Minimum controllable airspeed (MCA)
  • Constant airspeed climbs & descents.
  • Constant rate climbs & descents.
  • Stalls power-on & power-off.

Lesson # 5 – Dual 1.4 hour

  • Ground reference maneuvers.
  • Operation at minimum level.
  • Introduction to rectangular pattern.
  • Tracking and assessment of wind drift.

Lesson # 6 – Dual 1.6 hr

  • Review lesson #5.
  • Increased proficiency executing maneuvers.
  • Aircraft coordination.
  • Division of attention.
  • Emergency operations.
  • Off-airport procedure, forced landings without 
  • power & partial power.

Stage CheckInstructor ground school and/or Quiz.

Stage 3: Pre-Solo

Lesson # 7 – Dual 1.0 hour

  • Introduction to the traffic pattern.
  • Airport environment, markings & lighting.
  • Normal takeoff & landings.
  • Radio communication procedures.
  • Air traffic rules, airspace classification & 
  • pilot/aircraft requirements.

Lesson # 8 – Dual 1.5 hour

  • Traffic pattern review and practice.
  • Emphasis on collision avoidance: on entry, while established & on Buy Cialis departure.
  • Radio communication.
  • Introduction to X-wind takeoffs & landings.
  • Sideslips and forward slips.

Lesson # 9 – Dual 2.0

  • Review and practice normal takeoffs & landings,
  • Short field takeoffs & landings and application.
  • Soft field takeoffs & landings and application.
  • Aborted landings.
  • Engine failures in the traffic pattern.

Stage CheckStage check- by other instructor

Lesson # 10 Review lesson #8 and lesson#9 – Dual 1.0 hour

Complete pre-solo written quiz.

Solo 0.5 hour FIRST SOLO!

Stage 4: Solo & Consolidation

Lesson # 11 – Dual 0.5 hour Solo 1.0 hour

  • Second solo supervised at uncontrolled field.
  • Normal takeoffs and landings.

Lesson # 12 – Dual 1.0 hour Solo 1.0 hour

  • Dual/Solo review from airport to practice area.
  • Review: steep turns, slow flight, and stall, 
  • spin awareness-characteristics & recovery.

Lesson # 13 – Dual 0.5 hou rSolo 1.0 hour

  • Dual/Solo review from airport to practice area.
  • Emphasis on traffic sequencing.
  • Communication & ATC instruction compliance.
  • Simultaneous operations, over fly procedures & wake turbulence avoidance.

Lesson # 14 – Dual 0.5 hour Solo 1.0 hour

  • Dual/Solo review from airport to practice area.
  • Practice and review preplanned by student 
  • authorized and overseen by instructor.

Stage CheckStage check- by other instructor

Stage 5: Night Flying

Lesson # 15 – Dual 1.5 hour

  • Introduction to night flying.
  • Orientation within local area.
  • Visual and instrument reference maneuvering
  • Simulated instrument meteorological conditions, unusual attitudes.

Lesson # 16 – Dual 1.5 hour

  • Proficiency at night takeoffs and landings.
  • 10 landings required by FAA
  • Human factors and physical effect applicable to night operation.

Stage CheckStage check- by other instructor

Stage 6: Cross Country Flying

Lesson # 17 – Dual 1.8 hour

  • Introduction to X-country flying.
  • Pilotage & dead reckoning.
  • Use of sectional chart, flight publications & performance tables.
  • Obtaining a WX briefing and appropriate data.

Lesson # 18 – Dual 2.2 hour

  • Radio navigation.
  • Advanced work with TCA chart airspace system & special use airspace.
  • Lost procedures, adverse WX & diversions.

Lesson # 19 – Solo 1.5

  • Short solo X-country flight.

Lesson # 20 – Solo 1.5

  • Short solo X-country flight.

Lesson # 21 – Solo 2.0 hour

  • Short solo X-country flight.

Lesson # 22 – Dual 2.0 hour

  • Dual X-country flight.

Lesson # 23 – Solo 4.0 hour

  • Long solo X-country flight.
  • FAA required 150 NM/ 3 points flight.

 

Stage 7: FAA Test Prep

Lesson # 24 – Dual 1.8 hour

  • Dual review of normal takeoff & landings.
  • X-wind landings & takeoffs, side/forward slips.
  • Slow flight, steep turns, power on/off stalls.
  • On airport, off airport emergencies, emergency descents.

Lesson # 25 – Dual 2.2 hour

  • Dual complete review of maneuvers including: normal X-wind takeoffs & landings, short & soft field takeoffs & landings.
  • Aborted landings.
  • Steep turns, slow flight, stalls.
  • Ground reference maneuvers.
  • Basic instrument maneuvers.

Lesson # 26 – Solo 2.5

  • Solo review. OPTIONAL

Lesson # 27 – Solo 2.5

  • Solo review. OPTIONAL

Stage Check

  • Stage check- by other instructor
  • Dual simulated check ride.

Lesson # 28 – Dual 2.0 hour

TEST – Dual 1.5 hour

  • FAA CHECK RIDE!