ISU Flight Academy Standard Operating Procedures and Weather Minimums

Review of the ISU flight academy dress code, alcohol and drug policies, no-show penalties, flight priorities, and weather minimums.

Winter flight academy dress code

Polo (ISU, black, blue, white), Black/Khaki pants, and Black/brown dress shoes.

Summer flight academy dress code

Polo (ISU, black, blue, white), Professional shorts (black, blue, khaki), and Casual dress shoes.

Alcohol consumption wait period

Students must wait at least 12 hours after consuming alcohol before flying and cannot be under the influence at any time when operating an aircraft.

First no show penalty

The incident is noted, but there is no financial penalty.

Second no show penalty

A $100$ charge.

Third no show penalty

A $100$ charge, a 1.5 hour rental charge, and a mandatory meeting with the Chief Flight Instructor.

Flight slot arrival time

At least 15 minutes before the scheduled time slot, though earlier is preferred.

ISU flight priority

Checkrides, Stage checks, Dual Local, Dual XC, Solo, Standardization, Nonscheduled flights, Stage check/checkride prep (when approved)

How much fuel do we have to have to takeoff? How much do we need to have at landing?

3/4 tanks fuel minimum on takeoff, at least 1 hour of fuel remaining on landing (about 1/4 tank)

XC fuel requirement

Full fuel upon takeoff.

Required flight documents

Government issued photo ID, valid medical certificate, pilot certificate, ISU ID w/ TSA sticker on back, copy of SOPs, and required endorsements.

Ramp safety walking rule

Personnel must always walk behind aircraft when on the ramp.

Is cell phone usage allowed on the ramp/runway environment?

no

Can a student pilot perform a LAHSO?

No

When should we get a weather briefing?

before every flight

Stage check preparation items

A weight and balance sheet and a weather briefing.

Solo pattern weather minimums

Minimum ceiling of 1500 feet and visibility of 3 sm.

Solo local/XC weather minimums

Minimum ceiling of 3000 feet and visibility of 5 sm.

Dual local (day) weather minimums

Minimum 800 ft ceiling and 2 sm visibility.

Dual local (night) weather minimums

Minimum 1000 ft ceiling and 3 sm visibility.

Student pilot solo wind maximums

Surface winds below 15 knots, crosswind component 10 knots, tailwind component 3 knots, and no flight during reported gusts.

Private/commercial solo wind maximums

Surface winds below 20 knots, gust spread/crosswind component 10 knots, and tailwind component 5 knots.

Dual flight wind maximums

Surface winds below 30 knots, gust spread 15 knots, and tailwind component 10 knots.

Wind shear solo policy

Solo operations are not allowed if wind shear is reported.

How deep does snow have to be to suspend flight ops?

3 inches depth

How cold does the temperature have to be to suspend flight operations?

Temps below 0 degrees F or wind chill of -10 degrees F

How hot does the temperature have to be to suspend flight ops?

Operations cease at 100 degrees F.

How cold does it have to be to suspend cross country ops?

Temps below 10 degrees F

If convective activity is observed within 40 miles and going to impact the airport, what operations are allowed?

Pattern and approach only

Convective activity (20 miles)

All flight operations cease if convective activity is within 20 miles and impacting the airport.

If convective activity is observed within 10 miles of the airport, are people allowed to be outside the building?

No, all personnel need to be inside the building

What is the meaning of sterile cockpit, and below what altitude do we need to have a sterile cockpit?

"sterile cockpit" means that conversations only apply to the operation of flight. No outside conversations. This happens anytime below 3000 feet

What minimum distance is required to do an intersection takeoff?

3000 feet

Student solo landing requirement

Student pilots must perform full stop taxi backs when soloing.

When flying solo as a student pilot, what must you end every transmission made to ATC with?

Student pilot solo

First offense alcohol self-report

30 day flight suspension and completion of online modules.

Second offense alcohol self-report

60 day flight suspension, meeting with student counseling center, completion of online modules, and an updated medical certificate.

Third offense alcohol self-report

Dismissal from the flight program.

First offense drug self-report

minimum 60 day flight suspension, completion of online modules, get an updated medical certificate

Second offense drug self-report

dismissal from the program