Private Pilot Oral Exam Guide

Private Pilot Oral Exam Guide Notes

References

  • FAR/AIM: Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual
  • PHAK: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
  • AC 00-45G: Aviation Weather Services
  • AC 00-6A: Aviation Weather
  • POH: Piper Cherokee Archer II Information Manual
  • FAA-S-8081-14B5: Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane Single-Engine Land and Sea
  • ASA-OEG-PS: Private Oral Exam Guide by Michael D. Hayes

Certificates and Documents (61.3, 61.113, 61.51(i), 61.19(c), 61.56, 61.57, 61.23)

  • Required Documents:
    • Pilot certificate
    • Medical certificate
    • Government-issued photo ID
  • Private Pilot Privileges:
    • Act as Pilot in Command (PIC) and carry passengers.
  • Private Pilot Limitations:
    • Cannot fly for hire.
    • Must pay no less than pro rata share of operating expenses.
  • Logbook Requirement:
    • Only required for student pilots on solo cross-country flights.
  • Pilot Certificate Expiration:
    • Student pilot certificates issued after April 1, 2016, do not expire.
  • Pilot Certificate Currency:
    • Flight review every 24 months (except for student pilots undergoing training with a current solo endorsement).
  • Night Definition:
    • The time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight.
  • Night Landings:
    • Night landings for carrying passengers at night can be logged 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
  • Medical Certificate Validity (61.23):
    • Under 40 years old: 60 calendar months.
    • Over 40 years old: 24 calendar months.

Aircraft Documents (91.203, PHAK 8-6, 61.5)

  • Required Aircraft Documents (ARROW):
    • Airworthiness Certificate
    • Registration
    • Radio License (required for international flight)
    • Operating Limits
    • Weight and Balance/required equipment lists
  • Aircraft Registration Expiration:
    • 3 years
  • Airmen Certification Definitions (61.5):
    • Category: Airplane, Rotorcraft, Glider, Lighter-Than-Air, etc.
    • Class: Single Engine Land/Sea, Multi Engine Land/Sea
    • Type: Specific to aircraft
  • Address Change Notification (61.60):
    • A pilot has 30 days to notify the FAA of a permanent mailing address change without losing certificate privileges.

Airworthiness Considerations (91.403, 91.409, PHAK 8-12, 91.207)

  • Airworthiness Certificate Expiration:
    • Does not expire as long as the manufacturer's original design is adhered to.
  • Responsibility for Airworthiness:
    • The owner/operator is responsible for maintaining the aircraft in an airworthy condition.
  • Required Inspections (AVIATES) (91.409):
    • Annual: Every 12 calendar months.
    • VOR: Every 30 days (for IFR).
    • 100-hour: If the airplane is for hire.
    • Altimeter/Pitot Static: 24 calendar months.
    • Transponder: 24 calendar months.
    • ELT: 12 calendar months; battery replacement/recharge after 1 hour cumulative use or half of battery life.
    • Service bulletins and ADs complied with
  • Airworthiness Directive (AD):
    • FAA-issued order to fix a known issue. It is mandatory.
  • Overflying Inspections (91.409):
    • Annuals cannot be overflown.
    • 100-hour inspection can be overflown by up to 10 hours if en route to a place where the inspection will be completed.
  • Flying a Non-Airworthy Aircraft:
    • Possible with a special flight permit from the FSDO.
  • ELT Requirement (91.207):
    • Not needed for training within 50 nm of the home airport.

Required Equipment (91.205b, 91.205c, 91.213, PHAK 8-9)

  • Day VFR Equipment (ATOMATOFLAMES) (91.205b):
    • Altimeter
    • Tachometer
    • Airspeed indicator
    • Temperature Gauge (liquid-cooled engines)
    • Oil pressure gauge
    • Fuel Gauge
    • Landing Gear Position Indicator
    • Anti-collision lights
    • Manifold Pressure Gauge
    • ELT
    • Seatbelts
  • Night VFR Equipment (FLAPS) (91.205c):
    • Fuses (3 of each or 1 complete set)
    • Landing light (if airplane is for hire)
    • Anti-collision lights
    • Position lights
    • Source of Electricity
  • Flying with Inoperative Equipment (91.213):
    • If the equipment is not required for the flight (per the aircraft's equipment list or FARs), it must be deactivated or removed and placarded as inoperative.
    • Deactivation can include pulling the circuit breaker and locking it out.
  • Minimum Equipment List (MEL) (PHAK 8-9):
    • An FAA-approved list of equipment that can be inoperative.
  • Changing an MEL:
    • A letter and proposed MEL (based on the Master MEL) must be sent to the FAA for approval.

Performance and Limitations

  • Four Forces of Flight:
    • Lift
    • Weight
    • Thrust
    • Drag
  • Lift Creation:
    • Airfoils accelerate airflow downward (Newton's 3rd Law).
    • Bernoulli's Principle: High-speed air over the upper surface creates low pressure, while low-speed air beneath the wing creates high pressure.
  • Types of Drag:
    • Parasite: Form, interference, and skin friction drag; increases with speed.
    • Induced: Byproduct of lift.
  • Airspeed Where Induced and Parasite Drag Meet:
    • Vg (Best glide speed)
  • Airfoil Components (PHAK 3-8 Fig. 3-6):
    • Leading/trailing edge
    • Upper/lower camber
    • Chord line
    • Relative wind
    • Angle of attack
  • Camber:
    • Curvature of the wing. It can be changed by extending/retracting flaps.
  • Bernoulli's Principle (PHAK 3-5):
    • As the velocity of a fluid or air increases, the pressure decreases.
  • Angle of Incidence:
    • The angle between the wing chord line and the fuselage; it cannot be changed.
  • Center of Gravity (CG) (PHAK 4-38):
    • The point where the average weight is located. Gravity or weight acts through this point.
    • Aft CG: Higher cruise speed, lower stall speed, less stable, adverse stall recovery.
    • Forward CG: Lower cruise speed, higher stall speed, longer takeoff roll.
  • Wing Stall (PHAK 4-22):
    • Exceeding the critical angle of attack.
  • Effects of Temperature, Weight, and Air Density on Takeoff Distance (PHAK 10-2 and 9-2):
    • High temperatures = less dense air.
    • Less dense air exerts less force on airfoils making them less efficient.
    • Higher weight leads to longer takeoff rolls.
  • Types of Airspeeds and Altitudes (PHAK 7-6 and 10-17):
    • Airspeeds:
      • IAS: Indicated airspeed.
      • CAS: Calibrated airspeed (IAS corrected for installation error).
      • TAS: True airspeed (CAS corrected for non-standard temperature and pressure).
      • GS: Ground speed (TAS corrected for wind).
    • Altitudes:
      • Indicated: Read directly from the altimeter (with 29.9229.92 set in the Kollsman window).
      • Pressure: Indicated altitude corrected for non-standard pressure.
      • Density: Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature.
      • True: MSL (Mean Sea Level).
      • Absolute: AGL (Above Ground Level).
  • Pressure Altitude Calculation:
    • PA=Altitude (field elevation)+(29.92−current altimeter setting)×1000PA = \text{Altitude (field elevation)} + (29.92 - \text{current altimeter setting}) \times 1000
  • Factors Affecting Air Density (PHAK 10-4):
    • Heat
    • Height (altitude)
    • Humidity
  • Maximum Weights (POH 1-4):
    • Ramp weight: 2550 lbs2550 \text{ lbs}
    • Takeoff & landing weights: 2550 lbs2550 \text{ lbs}
  • Ramp Weight vs. Takeoff Weight (POH 1-8):
    • Ramp weight = max weight approved for ground maneuvers (taxi ).
    • Takeoff weight = max weight approved for take off run.
  • Taking Off Over Max Gross Weight:
    • Not allowed.
  • Crosswind Component (AIM 4-3-3): Find using charts.
  • Effects of Wind and Weight on Takeoff and Landing:
    • Headwinds decrease takeoff and landing roll; tailwinds increase them.
    • Heavy weight increases the takeoff and landing roll.
  • Weight of 100LL (PHAK 9-2):
    • 6 lbs/gallon6 \text{ lbs/gallon}
  • Fuel Burn Calculation: Need to calculate to determine how much is needed.
  • V-Speeds (PHAK 10-17, POH Section 2):
  • Vg Variation:
    • Vg is only 76 at max gross weight. Vg will be slower at a lower weight
  • Vx vs. Vy Climb:
    • Vx is used to clear an obstacle.
    • Vy is used to get to altitude in the shortest amount of time.
  • Left Turning Tendencies (TGAS) (PHAK 4-26):
    • Torque: Clockwise spinning prop causes airplane to roll left about the longitudinal axis. On the ground, this left rolling tendency causes more weight to be on the left main gear thereby increasing the friction and inducing a left yawing tendency.
    • Gyroscopic Precession: During a descent, the tail rises and causes a force to be felt on the top of the propeller. The resultant force is therefore 90 degrees ahead in the direction of the rotation (RIGHT SIDE of propeller) causing a left yawing tendency. This is otherwise a right turning tendency in a climb.
    • Asymmetrical Thrust: In a climb, descending propeller blade (RIGHT SIDE) has a greater angle of attack and therefore creates more lift. This causes a left yawing tendency.
    • Spiraling Slipstream: Propeller wash strikes the aircraft of the left side of the vertical stabilizer causing a left yawing tendency. The slipstream also strikes the right wing from above causing a right rolling tendency.
    • These tendencies are more pronounced at low airspeeds, high angles of attack, and high-power settings.
  • Stability (PHAK 4-13):
    • Lateral Stability: Resistance to roll
    • Longitudinal Stability: Resistance to pitch
    • Vertical Stability: Resistance to yaw
    • Positive Stability: Tendency to return to equilibrium
    • Neutral Stability: Tendency to stay in new position
    • Negative Stability: Tendency to continue to move away from equilibrium
    • Static Stability: Initial tendency
    • Dynamic Stability: Response over time

Operations of Systems (POH)

  • Engine Description (1-3):
    • Naturally aspirated 180 HP Lycoming 0-360-A4M horizontally opposed 4-cylinder air-cooled direct drive carbureted reciprocating piston engine
  • Normally Aspirated (PHAK 6-11):
    • Ambient air enters the intake manifold – there is no turbo or supercharger
  • Engine Cooling (PHAK 6-16):
    • Air cools the outside and oil cools the inside
  • Four-Stroke (PHAK 6-3):
    • Intake
    • Compression
    • Combustion
    • Exhaust
  • Need for Oil:
    • It cleans, cools, and lubricates
  • Oil Capacity (1-3):
    • 8 qts
  • Propeller Type (1-3):
    • 76" Sensenich fixed pitch
  • Mixture Control (PHAK 6-8):
    • Adjusts the amount of fuel in the fuel/air mixture
  • Mixture Adjustment During Climb/Descent:
    • Air density decreases as altitude increases, resulting in an excessively rich mixture
  • Fuel System (7-8):
  • Fuel Capacity (1-3):
    • 50 gal (48 useable, 2 unusable)
  • Fuel Colors (PHAK 6-27):
    • 100LL is blue
    • 115/145 is purple
    • 100/130 is green
    • 80/87 is red
    • Mixed fuel becomes clear
  • Other Clear Liquids:
    • Jet A
  • Fuel Draining:
    • To visually examine for water and sediment
  • Stall Strips:
    • They are placed on the leading edge of the wing close to the wing root to help induce a stall towards the wing root so that pilot still has directional control with the ailerons
  • Brakes (7-3):
    • Cleveland single disc hydraulic brakes
  • Vacuum System (PHAK 7-17, POH 7-17):
  • Electrical System (7-10 - 7-12):
    • Archer II: 12 volt batt. 14 volt system 60 amp alternator
    • Archer III: 24 volt batt. 28 volt system 70 amp alternator

National Airspace System (PHAK Chapter 14)

  • Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Airspace:

    • Class G is the only uncontrolled airspace. ATC has no jurisdiction.

  • Airspace Classes (A, B, C, D, E, G):

    • Class A:

      • FL 180 to FL 600
      • Requirements: Instrument Rating and IFR flight plan, Mode C Transponder, 2-way radio communication
      • Weather minimums: None

    • Class B:

      • Upside down wedding cake design up to 10,000 MSL
      • Requirements: Endorsement needed if student pilot, Clearance from ATC required to enter, Mode C Transponder required any time within 30 nm (mode C veil)
      • Weather minimums: 3 miles visibility and clear of clouds

    • Class C:

      • Inner core 5 nm radius and from surface to 4500 AGL
      • Outer core 10 nm radius and from 1200' AGL to 4000' AGL
      • Requirements: Mode C Transponder and 2-way radio communication
      • Weather minimums: 3 miles visibility and 1000' above 500' below and 2000' horizontal from clouds

    • Class D:

      • 4 nm radius and from surface to 2500' AGL
      • Requirements: 2-way radio communications
      • Weather minimums: 3 miles visibility and 1000' above 500' below and 2000' horizontal from clouds

    • Class E:

      • Can start at the surface, 700' AGL, or 1200' AGL and may extend up to but not including FL 180
      • Class E also exists above FL 600
      • Equipment: No equipment requirements
      • Below 10,000' : 3 miles visibility and 1000' above 500' below and 2000' horizontal from clouds
      • Above 10,000' : 5 miles visibility and 1000' above 1000' below and 1 mile horizontal from clouds

    • Class G:

      • Uncontrolled airspace
      • may start at the surface and can go as high as 14,500' MSL or 1200' AGL
      • Equipment: No equipment requirements
      • Below 1200' AGL : 1 mile visibility and clear of clouds
      • Above 1200' AGL but below 10,000' MSL : 1 mile visibility and 1000' above 500' below and 2000' horizontal from clouds
      • At night: 3 miles visibility and 1000' above 500' below and 2000' horizontal from clouds
      • Above 10000' : 5 miles visibility and 1000' above 1000' below and 1 mile horizontal from clouds

    • Example Airspace:

      • KMYF Airspace: Class D, up to 2,900'
      • Airspace Directly Above KMYF: Class E

  • Special Use Airspace:

    • Warning Areas
    • Controlled Firing Areas (does not appear on charts)
    • Restricted
    • Alert
    • Military Operation Area
    • Prohibited

  • Other Airspace Areas:

    • Local Airport Advisory
    • Military Training Routes
    • Temporary Flight Restriction
    • Parachute Jump Zones
    • Published VFR Routes
    • Terminal Radar Service Areas
    • National Security Areas

  • Mode C Transponder Requirements (91.215):

    • Class A, B, C airspace.
    • Inside of the mode C veil, above and below class B and C shelves, and above 10000'

Weather Information (AC 0045G; AC 00-6A)

  • Standard Temperature and Pressure at Sea Level:
    • 15°C or 59°F
    • 29.92" Hg or 1013.2 mb
  • Isobars:
    • Connect equal lines of pressure.
    • Closely spaced isobars indicate a strong pressure gradient and strong winds.
  • Surface Winds vs. Winds Aloft:
    • At the surface, winds flow perpendicular to isobars because of surface friction.
    • Aloft, winds from more or less parallel.
  • Stable vs. Unstable Air:
    • Stable Air: Stratiform clouds, poor visibility, smooth air, continuous precipitation.
    • Unstable Air: Cumuliform clouds or clouds with vertical development, good visibility, turbulence, and showery precipitation.
  • Low vs. High Pressure Areas:
    • Low: Cyclone – counterclockwise and rising.
    • High: Anti-Cyclone – clockwise and descending.
  • Ridge vs. Trough:
    • Ridge: Extended area of high pressure – descending air.
    • Trough: Extended area of low pressure – rising air.
  • Thunderstorm Formation:
    • Requires an unstable atmosphere, substantial moisture, and lifting action.
  • Stages of a Thunderstorm:
    • Cumulus, mature, and dissipating.
  • Wind Shear:
    • Rapid change in wind direction or velocity.
    • It can cause dramatic changes in indicated airspeed and cause turbulence within the shear zone.
  • Dew Point:
    • The temperature where the air becomes saturated.
  • Types of Fog:
    • Advection: Moist warm air moves over colder land or water
    • Radiation: Forms on clear nights with little or no wind and only over land
    • Upslope: Moist unstable air is cooled as wind pushes it up a slope
    • Precipitation Induced: Warm rain falls through cool air. Evaporation from the rain saturates the cool air and fog forms.
  • Weather Briefings from FSS (AIM 7-1-4):
    • Standard
    • Abbreviated
    • Outlook
  • METAR (AIM 7-1-31):
    • Aviation Routine Weather Report
    • Issued hourly (special METARs issued intermittently when significant changes occur).
    • Valid for the hour.
  • TAF (AIM 7-1-31):
    • Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
    • Issued 4 times a day (every 6 hours).
    • Valid for 24-30 hours.
    • Forecast for area within 5sm of airport.
  • Ceiling Definition (AIM 7-1-16):
    • The height above the ground of a broken or overcast layer.
  • TAF Cloud Ceilings:
    • Reported in MSL.
  • TAF Descriptors (AIM 7-1-28 - 7-1-31):
    • FROM: Rapid change occurring within 1 hour
    • BECMG: Gradual change to take place over the course of 1 hour
    • TEMPO: Between the predicted period, this weather will only occur for less than an hour
    • PROB: Number placed afterwards is the probability of the weather forecasted to occur
  • AIRMET (AIM 7-1-10, 6-23):
    • Airmen's Meteorological Information
    • Issued for:
      • Mountain obscuration and widespread IFR conditions (Sierra)
      • Moderate turbulence and surface winds greater than 30kts (Tango)
      • Moderate Icing (Zulu)
    • Valid for 6 hours
  • SIGMET (6-1):
    • Significant Weather Information
    • Issued for:
      • Severe Turbulence not associated with T-storms
      • Widespread dust storms and volcanic ash
      • Severe Icing
    • Valid for 4 hours
  • CONVECTIVE SIGMET (6-4):
    • Issued for thunderstorm (convective) activity including:
      • Tornadoes
      • Winds greater than 50 kts
      • Hail greater than ¾"
  • Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast (7-39):
    • Issued every 12 hours
    • Temperatures above 24000 feet are negative
    • Example: 710556 at 30,000 feet means winds are from 210 at 105 kts and temperature is –56 C
    • Winds will not be forecast within 1500' of station elevation on an FD
    • Temperature will not be forecast within 2500' of station elevation
  • Surface Analysis Chart (5-1):
    • Shows position of pressure systems and fronts
    • Issued 4 times a day, valid for 3 hours
  • Significant Weather Prognostic Chart (8-8):
    • Forecast of aviation weather hazards such as icing, freezing levels, and turbulence
    • Issued 4 times a day with a 12-hour and a 24-hour forecast

VFR Cross Country Considerations

  • Preflight Action (NWKRAFT) (91.103):
    • NOTAMS (AIM 5-1-3)
    • Weather
    • Known ATC delays
    • Runway Lengths
    • Alternates
    • Fuel
    • Takeoff and Landing Distances
  • Fuel Requirements (91.151):
    • Day VFR: To the destination + at least 30 minutes of reserve fuel
  • Right-of-Way Rules (91.113):
    • Aircraft in distress have priority over all other aircraft, then:
      • Balloons
      • Gliders
      • Aircraft towing other aircraft or refueling in flight
      • Airships
      • Rotorcraft and airplanes
  • Aircraft Confrontations (Converging, Head-on, Overtaking):
    • Converging: Aircraft on the right has the right of way
    • Head on: Both divert to the right
    • Overtaking: Overtake on the right side
  • Maximum Airspeed Below 10,000’ MSL (91.117):
    • 250 kias
  • Minimum Safe Altitude Over Congested Area (91.119):
    • 1000' above highest obstacle within 2000'
  • Minimum Safe Altitude Over Non-Congested Area (91.119):
    • 500' above the surface or 500' above any vessel, person
  • Minimum Safe Altitude Definition (91.119):
  • Tower Light Gun Signals (AIM 4-3-13, PHAK 13-15):
  • Route Selection Factors: Regulations, wind, visibility, airspace
  • True Course, Magnetic Course, True Heading, and Magnetic Heading Calculations:
  • Distance, Time, Groundspeed, ETA, Fuel Burn Calculations:
  • Top of Climb Calculation:
  • TAS Calculation for Flight Plan:
  • VFR Fuel Requirements for Flight:
  • Flight Plan Filing:
    • Not required for a Cross Country.
  • Flight Plan Route Section:
  • Finding Current Weather Information In-Flight:
  • HIWAS Location:
  • FSS Frequency:
  • Contacting FSS In-Flight:
  • Amending Flight Plan:
    • Important to amend your flight plan if you are not going to arrive on time
  • Closing a VFR Flight Plan:
  • Pilotage vs. Dead Reckoning (PHAK 15-12):
    • Pilotage: Using visual landmarks and references
    • Dead Reckoning: Using predetermined headings and performance calculations
  • Getting Through Class B Airspace:
  • VFR Corridors:
  • Magnetic Variation (PHAK 15-7):
    • Difference between magnetic and true north
  • VOR Limitations (PHAK 15-26, AIM 1-1-3):
    • Only works with line of sight
  • Lost In-Flight Procedure (5 Cs) (PHAK 15-34):
    • Climb
    • Circle
    • Conserve
    • Confess
    • Communicate
  • A/FD (Airport/Facility Directory):
    • Updated every 56 days

Special Emphasis Areas

  • Wake Turbulence Avoidance (AIM 4-6-7, PHAK 13-15):
  • Runway Incursion Avoidance (PHAK 13-18):
  • Land and Hold Short Operations (AIM 4-3-11):