Private Pilot Course of Instruction

Ground Instruction Curriculum

Steve Sconfienza, Ph.D.

Airline Transport Pilot

Flight Instructor: Airplane Single and Multiengine; Instrument Airplane

cell: 518.366.3957

e-mail: docsteve@localnet.com

  1. Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
  2. Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
  3. Use of the applicable portions of the "Aeronautical Information Manual" and FAA advisory circulars;
  4. Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;
  5. Radio communication procedures;
  6. Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
  7. Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;
  8. Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;
  9. Weight and balance computations;
  10. Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;
  11. Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques;
  12. Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
  13. Preflight action that includes--
    1. How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and
    2. How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.