Aviation Knowledge Review for Student Solo Prep

Student Solo Weather and Visibility Limitations

• Day Visibility Requirements: A student pilot on a solo flight must have a minimum visibility of $3\,\text{statute miles}$.
• Night Visibility Requirements: For solo night flights, the visibility requirement increases to a minimum of $5\,\text{statute miles}$.
• Flight Above Clouds: Under 14 CFR 61.89, student pilots are prohibited from operating an aircraft when the flight cannot be made with visual reference to the surface. This means flying above clouds (on top of an overcast layer) is not permitted for students.
• Final Authority and Responsibility: When a student pilot is flying solo, they are the Pilot in Command (PIC) and have the final authority and responsibility for the operation of the aircraft. This responsibility does not lie with the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) during the solo flight itself.

Preflight Actions and Flight Planning (NW KRAFT)

Before conducting a solo flight to a different airport, a pilot must familiarize themselves with all available information concerning that flight. The acronym NW KRAFT is used to ensure all regulatory requirements are met:

• N (NOTAMs): Notice to Air Missions. Pilots must check for runway closures, taxiway issues, or any other critical safety information at the destination airport.
• W (Weather): Reviewing current weather reports and forecasts for the route and destination, including wind conditions.
• K (Known ATC Delays): Information regarding traffic delays at controlled airports, primarily for commercial operations.
• R (Runway Lengths): Verification of runway lengths and suitability for takeoff and landing at the intended airports. This includes understanding the traffic pattern and runway orientation.
• A (Alternates): Planning an alternate route or airport in case the destination airport is closed or inaccessible.
• F (Fuel Requirements): Calculating the minimum fuel required by the FAA.
  • Day VFR: Enough fuel to fly to the destination plus $30\,\text{minutes}$ of flight at normal cruise speed.
  • Night VFR: Enough fuel to fly to the destination plus $45\,\text{minutes}$ of flight at normal cruise speed.
• T (Takeoff and Landing Performance): Calculating the necessary distances for the aircraft to safely depart and land based on current conditions.

General Operating and Flight Rules

• Careless and Reckless Operation: Under 14 CFR 91.13, operating an aircraft in a way that creates a hazard is prohibited. An example provided is failing to control prop blast or blowing rocks toward other aircraft or people during an engine run-up.
• Alcohol Consumption Rules:
  • Time Limit: A pilot must wait at least $8\,\text{hours}$ after consuming alcohol before operating an aircraft ("eight hours from bottle to throttle"), though a wait of $12\,\text{hours}$ is recommended.
  • Blood Alcohol Content (BAC): The maximum legal limit for BAC is less than $0.04$.
• Safety Belts and Shoulder Harnesses:
  • The PIC is responsible for briefing passengers on how to use seatbelts and harnesses.
  • They must be worn during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
  • If a shoulder harness is installed in the aircraft, it must be worn. If it is not installed, the flight can still legally proceed using only the safety belt.
• Altimeter Settings: If the current altimeter setting is unavailable via ATIS or ATC, the pilot should set the altimeter to the specific Field Elevation of the airport before departure.

Mode C Transponder Requirements

A Mode C transponder (altitude reporting) is required in the following scenarios according to 14 CFR 91.215:

• Airspace Classes: Operations within Class $A$, Class $B$, and Class $C$ airspace.
• Mode C Veil: Within $30\,\text{nautical miles}$ of certain busy airports listed in Appendix D to Part 91 (typically primary Class B airports).
• Above Altitudes: In all airspace of the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia at and above $10,000\,\text{feet}$ MSL, excluding airspace at and below $2,500\,\text{feet}$ AGL.
• Beneath Specific Airspace: Beneath the lateral boundaries of Class B and Class C airspace.

Aircraft Documents and Inspections

Required Documents (ARROW)

Every aircraft must have the following documents on board during flight:

• A: Airworthiness Certificate (Must be displayed/visible to pilots and passengers).
• R: Registration Certificate (Must be replaced/renewed every $7\,\text{years}$).
• R: Radio Station License (Required only for international flights/traveling abroad).
• O: Operating Handbook (POH/AFM - Must be within reach of the pilot).
• W: Weight and Balance Data (Specific to the particular aircraft).

Maintenance Inspections (A V1ATE)

To maintain the validity of the Airworthiness Certificate, the following inspections must be performed:

• Annual: Every $12\,\text{calendar months}$.
• VOR: Every $30\,\text{days}$ (Required for IFR flight only).
• 100-Hour: Required if the aircraft is used for hire or student instruction.
• Altimeter/Pitot-Static: Every $24\,\text{calendar months}$ (Required for IFR flight).
• Transponder: Every $24\,\text{calendar months}$.
• ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter):
  • Inspected every $12\,\text{calendar months}$.
  • Battery replaced/recharged if the transmitter has been in use for more than $1\,\text{cumulative hour}$.
  • Battery replaced/recharged if $50\,\%$ of its useful life has expired.

Right of Way and Cruising Altitudes

Right of Way Rules

• Final Approach: When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport to land, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right of way. However, pilots must not use this rule to cut in front of or overtake others.
• Overtaking: The aircraft being overtaken has the right of way. The overtaking pilot must alter course to the right to pass.
• Head-On: When two aircraft approach head-on, both pilots must alter course to the right.
• Crossing: When aircraft are crossing paths, the aircraft on the right has the right of way.

Minimum Safe Altitudes (14 CFR 91.119)

• Congested Areas (Yellow on Sectional Charts): Pilot must maintain an altitude of $1,000\,\text{feet}$ above the highest obstacle within a $2,000\,\text{foot}$ horizontal radius.
• Non-Congested Areas: Pilot must maintain an altitude of $500\,\text{feet}$ AGL.
• Open Water/Sparsely Populated: Pilot must not operate closer than $500\,\text{feet}$ to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

VFR Cruising Altitudes (14 CFR 91.159)

Required for VFR flight in level cruising flight more than $3,000\,\text{feet}$ above the surface:

• Magnetic Course $000^\circ$ to $179^\circ$ (Eastbound): Odd thousand foot altitude plus $500\,\text{feet}$ (e.g., $3,500\,\text{ft}$, $5,500\,\text{ft}$).
• Magnetic Course $180^\circ$ to $359^\circ$ (Westbound): Even thousand foot altitude plus $500\,\text{feet}$ (e.g., $4,500\,\text{ft}$, $6,500\,\text{ft}$).

Emergency Procedures and Maneuvers

• Maneuver Recovery (ACS Standards): When practicing stalls or slow flight, the maneuver must be completed and recovered no lower than $1,500\,\text{feet}$ AGL.
• Go-Around Criteria: A go-around is appropriate if an approach becomes unstable. An approach is unstable if the pilot deviates significantly from:
  1. Airspeed: Target approach speed (e.g., $60\,\text{to}\ 70\,\text{knots}$).
  2. Centerline: Aircraft is not aligned with the runway.
  3. Glide Slope: Failing to maintain the proper descent path (e.g., two red, two white on PAPI/VASI).
• Engine Failure Scenarios:
  • During Takeoff Roll: Reduce power to idle, use aerodynamic braking (yoke back), apply firm manual braking, and exit the runway.
  • Immediately After Rotation (Runway Remaining): Lower the nose to maintain airspeed and land on the remaining runway surface.
  • After Takeoff ($500\,\text{feet}$ AGL, No Runway Remaining): Establish best glide speed, land straight ahead within $30^\circ$ of the nose. Do not attempt a turn back to the runway.
  • After Takeoff ($1,000\,\text{feet}$ AGL): Attempt a turn back to the runway if altitude permits.
  • In Flight/Practice Area ($3,000\,\text{feet}$ AGL): Follow the flow/checklist:
    1. Airspeed: Pitch for Best Glide ($V_{g}$).
    2. Best Place to Land: Identify a suitable field or shoreline.
    3. Checklist: Attempt restart (flow) if time permits.
    4. Shutdown: Turn off fuel and Master Switch before touchdown to prevent fire (igniting fuel on impact).