January 2015-
Ugh. Here we go again. Every two years I ask myself the same question: What would my idol, the venerable Lyn Freeman, do about my upcoming flight review?
I’ve been following Freeman’s writing career for decades and have smiled many times while reading his work—and occasionally I have even agreed with him. So again I asked myself, what would Lyn do? I don’t really know what Lyn would do, but as for me, three things come to mind: procrastination, procrastination, procrastination—and of course, procrastination. (I know… that’s four items.)
So here it is, just one week from my flight review. I have an appointment lined up with my flight instructor, who we’ll call Dave in this article, but who shall go nameless to protect the innocent. (Actually, his name is Dave.)
Every two years I have the same routine: I wait until a week before the review to actually get ready. However, I have a plan that has proven to work well for me with a minimum of fuss and effort. And my preparation accomplishes what it’s supposed to accomplish—a review of my flight skills and a general cleaning-off of the accumulated aviation dust from the last two years.
My plan has two phases. Phase One is an intellectual plan, and Phase Two is a flight skill plan.
My intellectual plan
I have two review items that I rely on for my refresher. One’s a book and one’s a DVD.
Aviation Supplies and Academics, Inc. (ASA) is a major publisher of anything and everything to do with aviation training, and they offer a 75-page digest-sized book entitled “Guide to the Flight Review” by Jackie Spanitz. Now in its seventh edition, this non-intimidating book is short, to-the-point—and spot-on for a review. It costs a mere $12.95.
The book reviews just the important stuff. Along with introductory information about what a flight review is, it also includes a 63-page chapter aptly named “Ground Instruction Requirement.” This chapter is a very easy read—either with or without a glass of wine or a cocktail at your side—and it’ll take you only an hour or two. (In the event that you want to have an adult beverage while you read the book, Lyn Freeman and I both know that there is no FAR prohibiting such an activity. In other words, “eight hours from bottle to flight review book” does not exist. But I digress.)
The Ground Instruction Requirement chapter includes one or two pages devoted to each of the following areas:
A. Privileges and Limitations
B. Currency Requirements
C. Aircraft Certificates
and Documents
D. Aircraft Maintenance Requirements
E. Weather
F. Obtaining Weather Information
G. Weather Reports,
Forecasts and Charts
H. Aerodynamics
I. Weight and Balance
J. Aircraft Performance
K. Navigation
L. Cross Country Flying
M. Radio Communications
N. Federal Aviation Regulations
Part 91
O. Airspace
P. National Transportation
Safety Board
Q. Airport Operations
R. Aircraft and Engine Operations
S. System and Equipment
Malfunctions
T. Airplane Instruments
U. Aeromedical Factors
In addition, there are some other resources in the book which you may find useful. “Flight Review: Private and Commercial” gives a list of maneuvers that you may do during the flight portion of your flight review. I give this book an A for helping me prepare for a flight review with a minimum of stress.
The second part of Phase One is what my attorney would call the “belt and suspenders”—that is to say, a backup. Many of us learn better from visual displays information rather than through reading. I’m one of those people, so my no-muss, no-fuss learning plan includes a video component, too.
Sporty’s produces a DVD entitled “Flight Review” that is nothing short of outstanding. The video is but a couple of hours in duration, and the presentation is simple, clear, concise and fast-moving. There are six chapters that can be watched from beginning to end or restarted or skipped at any time.
The contents of the DVD are very similar to the ASA book, but the information is presented in a visually-compelling format.
The six chapters are:
A. Regulations
B. Weather Reports and Forecasts
C. Airspace
D. Aeromedical
E. Charts and Notams
F. Signs, Markings and
Lighting at Airports
This DVD is also accepted as part of the FAA’s Wings pilot proficiency program. Sporty’s “Flight Review” DVD gets an A from me for being an effective learning tool. The DVD costs $34.95. (Sporty’s website shows the purchase includes a bonus MP3 audio file for studying in the car. —Ed.)
My flight skill plan
Phase Two of my flight review plan uses a section in ASA’s “Guide to the Flight Review” book as a guide for practicing my piloting skills. Chapter 4 in the book, “Flight Instruction Requirement,” has separate maneuvers tables for both private and commercial licenses.
As I’m a private pilot, I’m only interested in the Private Pilot page, and on it I can see exactly what I need to practice before my flight review. I generally take my aircraft up one day before my flight review and first practice slow flight and stalls. (Arrival and departure stalls are where, in my opinion, the highest risk is.)
Since I own a twin, I have to practice engine loss on takeoff and single-engine landings, too. Both of these are easy and stress-free when you know it’s coming. Of course, life isn’t like that in reality—but a flight review isn’t reality, as Lyn Freeman would probably say.
The other maneuver that I practice is steep turns around a point. Frankly, I find these difficult. However, if I practice these maneuvers the day before my flight review, my performance during the actual flight review is much improved.
So, that’s my plan and it’s worked well for many years. In fact, I just successfully completed my last flight review this morning. Dave said I did a good job—and that my preparation was much more than most of his students do. He appreciated that, and was able to keep my review to a minimum as a result. Thanks, Dave!
Piper Flyer Association member Scott Sherer is a multi-engine and instrument rated private pilot. He’s logged 2,600 hours and is the owner of a 1977 PA-34-200T based at Burlington Municipal (KBUU) in Burlington, Wis. Sherer anxiously awaits the day when N344TB finally gets new paint. Send questions or comments to editor@piperflyer.org.
RESOURCES >>>>>
Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.
asa2fly.com
800-ASA-2FLY
Sporty’s Pilot Shop
sportys.com
800-776-7897
