# AC 61-10A: Refresher Courses for Private and Commercial Pilots - Type: Advisory circular (guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it) - Status: Historical - Approved: September 27, 1972 - Last reviewed: October 11, 2024 - This change: Canceled by Memo signed by Robert C. Carty and Derek Honda; dated 03/02/2021. - Family: AC 61-10 - 14 CFR parts: 1 - Pages: 27 - PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/3e/04/3e04599bb087fed520bcb8fa2f88c04b479351dcbdfccb74b2314914b33b3dbf - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/42190F73A2E91FD586256FCF00575494.0001 - DRS record last changed: November 22, 2025 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ac/61-10 ## Versions - [AC 61-10A](https://openairdocs.org/ac/61-10) (Historical), approved Sep 27, 1972, 27 pages. Canceled by Memo signed by Robert C. Carty and Derek Honda; dated 03/02/2021. ## Text Each page's text from the PDF; open the PDF at a page with #page=N. This is OCR from the scanned FAA advisory circular. OCR can misread letters and numbers. ### Page 1 (OCR) AC 61-10A **PRIVATE AND** COMMERCIAL PILOTS Refresher Courses 1972 ECK **DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION** **FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION** ### Page 2 (OCR) **REFRESHER COURSES FOR** **PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL PILOTS 1972** DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards Service For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washtock Number 040-011-00065 cents Catalog Number TD4.408:P64/6 ### Page 3 (OCR) Preface Interest of pilots in refresher courses and special training to upgrade their piloting skills is increasing significantly. Training courses are being held at "pilot clinics" sponsored by state aeronautics commissions and national aviation organizations, and by local agencies such as flying clubs and operators organizations. advanced flight training is also increasing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) encourages certificated pilots to take refresher courses and advanced training, but it does not itself sponsor such refresher courses or training clinics. However, the FAA is always ready to assist in any practical way in the conduct of such events by responsible aeronautical groups. Groups or agencies interested in sponsoring advanced flight training should contact their local FAA General Aviation District Office for technical advice and full information on the assistance available from the FAA. In response to requests for official recommendations for such training, the Flight Standards Service of the Federal Aviation Administration has developed refresher courses for pilots holding at least private pilot certificates and for pilots with instrument ratings. These refresher courses for private and commercial pilots are presented in this guide and are issued as Advisory Circular No. 61-10A. The refresher courses outlined in this publication have been prepared for use by any agency, fight operator, or instructor who engages in the refresher training of certificated pilots. A trainee who satisfactorily completes a refresher course that meets the criteria and standards prescribed in this circular may be certified as having completed an "FAA Refresher Course." However, these courses do not constitute "approved courses" in the sense of courses offered by certificated airman agencies to qualify graduates for This Advisory Circular provides only the scope, coverage, and syllabus for recommended pilot refresher courses. It does not pretend to furnish the study material and instruction necessary for presentation. The use of authoritative texts and study guides and the presentation of good audiovisual training aids are recommended. The ground school classes or instruction should be conducted by a certificated ground instructor holding at least a Basic Ground Instructor Rating or an Instrument Ground Instructor Rating, as appropriate to the course, or by an appropriately-rated flight instructor. ### Page 4 (OCR) The ground instruction should be carefully coordinated with the flight instruction to avoid inconsistencies that might confuse the trainee or decrease his confidence. Comments regarding this publication should be directed to Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards Technical Division, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125. ### Page 5 (OCR) Contents Page Preface -. Suggested Training Material -- Syllabus for pilot refresher course Adjustment of syllabus to circumstances Refresher ground instruction Flight maneuvers and aircraft operations Regulations and procedures Cross-country flying Flight instrument interpretation -. Weather services and special assistance Radio assistance available in flight .. Refresher flight instruction Basic flight maneuvers Maximum performance maneuvers Cross-country operations Competency flight check Syllabus for instrument pilot refresher course Modification of syllabus to suit circumstances Use of synthetic instrument trainer - Refresher ground instruction for instrument pilots Instrument flying - Radio navigation procedures - Regulations and enroute procedures Meteorology and emergency procedures Refresher fight instruction for instrument pilots Instrument flying Radio navigation Standard instrument approaches Cross-country instrument flight. Flight instructors' endorsements and graduation certificates - Logbook entries - Graduation certificate ### Page 6 (OCR) **SUGGESTED TRAINING MATERIAL** 1. Flight Training Handbook, AC 61-21. 2. Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, AC 61-23A. 3. Aviation Weather, AC 00-6. 4. Airman's Information Manual, Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4. 5. Federal Aviation Regulations- Vol. I, Part I, Definitions and Abbreviations. Vol. IX, Part 61, Certification: Pilots and Flight. Vol. VI, Part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules; Part 93, Special Air Traffic Rules and Airport Traffic Patterns; and Part 99, Security Control of Air Traffic. Vol. XI, Part 95, IFR Altitudes; Part 97, Standard Instrument Approach Procedures. 6. Multiengine, Private, Commercial, and Instrument Pilot Airplane Flight Test Guides. 7. Instrument Flying Handbook, AC 61-27B. 8. Civil Use of U.S. Government Instrument Approach Procedure Charts, AC 90-1A. 9. Appropriate Airplane Flight Manuals and Owner's Handbooks. ### Page 7 (OCR) SYLLABUS FOR PILOT REFRESHER COURSE Figure 1 presents a syllabus for a refresher course for certificated pilots. It is a tabulation of the training recommended for a pilot refresher course, showing the minimum acceptable coverage, which can be expanded as much as the circumstances under which it is offered will permit. Additional instruction will be required for a trainee who does not meet current requirements for the issuance of at least a private pilot certificate. Figure 1. Syllabus for Pilot Refresher Course Ground Flight Directed Instruction Instruction Practice* Period 1 Lesson 1 I hour 1. Flight maneuvers. 1. Flight maneuvers. As assigned by flight in- 2. Aircraft performance. 2. Coordination and plan- structor. 3. Flaps, trim, and con- ning exercises. trollable propellers. 3. Takeoffs, landings, and 4. Aircraft and equip- go-arounds. ment emergencies. Period 2 Lesson 2 I nour 1. Aircraft and pilot cer- 1. Short and soft field As assigned by flight intification rules. takeoffs and landings. structor. 2. General operating and 2. Maneuvering at miniflight rules. mum controllable air- 3. VFR traffic rules. speed-stalls. 4. Use of NOTAMs and 3. Crosswind takeoffs and Airman's Information landings. Manual. 4. Emergency operations. Period 3 Lesson 3 1 hour 1. Use of charts. 1. Flight planning. As assigned by flight in- 2. VFR radio navigation. 2. Use of compass. structor. 3. Terminal area and 3. Chart reading. tower operations. 4. VFR radio navigation. 4. Flight instrument in- 5. Control by instruments. terpretation. Period 4 Lesson 4 1. Weather reports. Flight check by alternate 2. Weather recognition. Aight instructor, or by 3. Radio assistance. chief instructor. 4. Radar, DME, doppler, transponders, etc. * Directed practice may be solo or with another trainee, at the discretion of the fight instructor. ### Page 8 (OCR) Adjustment of Syllabus to Circumstances The syllabus for the pilot refresher course prescribes the minimum coverage. It is appropriate for refresher training only, and does not provide for the coverage of unfamiliar operations, such as training in the control of an airplane by instruments, unless the appropriate segments of the course are expanded. For this reason, ground inspection "periods" and training "lessons" are specified in terms of the training to be covered, without reference to the time to be devoted to each. For a currently qualified pilot, the time devoted to the items in the syllabus should be relatively uniform; while for trainees with gaps in their pilot qualifications, the coverage of some items should be expanded significantly. This refresher syllabus may be offered at pilot training clinics of various durations. It is most unlikely that the whole course could be administered in less than 2 days; and it may be conducted effectively over a period as long as 1 week. For the longer course periods, it is suggested that the coverage of each subject be expanded uniformly. However, there is no objection to the addition or introduction of other subjects provided the course retains its basic scope, format, and coordination of ground and flight instruction. ### Page 9 (OCR) REFRESHER GROUND INSTRUCTION Flight Maneuvers and Aircraft Operations Objectives and Performance of Flight Maneuvers The flight maneuver ground instruction should be conducted by a certificated flight instructor if the ground instructor does not also hold a flight instructor certificate. The instruction should be carefully coordinated with the flight instruction conducted in the course by other instructors. The basic flight maneuvers (straight and level, turns, climbs, and descents) and standard flight training maneuvers (turns about a point, rectangular courses, etc.) should be carefully described. The objectives of each training maneuver should be reviewed, and their relationship to earlier and subsequent maneuvers in flight training courses established. This should be done to give the trainee an awareness of the significant features of each maneuver as a basis for evaluating his own performance. It is recommended that all flight instructors participating in the course attend this segment of the ground course, or inform themselves fully on the fight maneuvers and techniques that evoke difficulty during the ground school session. Such problems can be considered also in the flight maneuver Aircraft Performance-Importance of "V" Speeds This segment includes a review of the forces acting on an airplane in flight; the effects of loading, density altitude, temperature, and turbulence on airplane performance; and the importance of the angle-of-attack. It should include a review of the speeds most critical to airplane performance, such as Vso, V31, and Vne. If there are multiengine pilots among the trainees, the importance of Vme should be reviewed. The determination, application, and importance of the best rate-of-climb and best angle-of-climb airspeeds should be covered thoroughly. The markings and colored arcs on the face of the airspeed indicator should be reviewed and associated with the critical speeds considered above. When possible, the ground school period on airplane performance should Owner's Handbooks for the airplanes used in the flight portion of the course. Use of Trim, Flaps, and Controllable Propellers The importance of the correct use of the trim controls to the efficient, safe use of high-performance airplanes should be emphasized. Special attention should be given to the pilot's consideration of trim settings when ### Page 10 (OCR) making an emergency pull-up from a landing approach, and when changing gear and flap settings. A thorough review of the effects and correct usage of flaps will be found valuable, and of interest to most pilots. This should include the importance of the use of the flap settings specified in the Airplane Flight Manual or Owner's Handbook for takeoffs and landing approaches. The comparative effects of the standard types of flaps on lift, drag, and stalling speed should The use of controllable propellers for the regulation of engine power output should be covered, as should the effect of various pitch settings with the engine idling or inoperative. Feathering and unfeathering procedures should be covered if there are multiengine pilots among the trainees. Aircraft and Equipment Emergencies This segment of the ground instruction should cover as many as possible of the common malfunctions and failures which affect aircraft and aircraft Among them are fuel and hydraulic pump failures, loss of hydraulic fluid, generator failures, gear and flap system malfunctions, runaway propellers, radio failures, fire in flight, and engine malfunction or failure. Instruction should cover means for rectifying malfunctions in flight, the use of alternate equipment such as hand pumps or auxiliary radio gear. and emergency actions in such cases as fire in flight or complete power Emphasis should be placed on the careful analysis by the pilot of an unexpected malfunction, and the selection of a course of action which will permit him to proceed to a safe landing without undue hazard. Regulations and Procedures At least one ground instruction period should be devoted to the review of the Federal Aviation Regulations and the FAA operating procedures which apply to general aircraft operations. Copies of Parts 61 and 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, and the Airman's Information Manual should be made available to each trainee. The instruction should cover at least: a. Aircraft and pilot certification rules. b. General operating and flight rules. c. VFR traffic rules-cruising altitudes, right-of-way, weather minimums, communication requirements, and other items. d. The procurement and use of NOTAMS and the Airman's Information Manual. Cross-Country Flying Use of Charts The availability and use of the aeronautical charts appropriate to VFR navigation should be reviewed. The charts considered should include at least Sectional Aeronautical Charts, Low-Altitude Enroute Charts, and VFR Terminal Area Charts. The use of these charts for plotting courses, pilotage, ### Page 11 (OCR) airport and radio facility information, topography, and obstructions should be covered. Flight Planning Ground school coverage of flight planning should include the selection and plotting of routes, selection of proposed and alternate stops, determination of equipment requirements, investigation of possible restricted areas, and the preparation of simple VFR flight logs. Coverage should also include filing and closing VFR fight plans. VFR Radio Navigation 60220 Ground school coverage of radio navigation should include the interpretation and use of VOR bearings and courses, DME, and elementary tracking with ADF. Emphasis should be placed on the use of radio aids in conjunction with pilotage, rather than their use as the sole means of navigation in VFR conditions. Constant orientation with respect to the chart as a precaution in case of radio failure should be stressed. Terminal Control Area Operations Some of the material to be covered under this item will be new to many private pilots. The operating rules and pilot and equipment requirements for operating within a terminal control area (TCA) should be covered. Included also should be the use of VFR Terminal Area Charts to identify VFR checkpoints for approach control and tower communications and instructions; to spot obstructions, hazards, and congested areas; and for control zone and airport layouts. The use of radio for VFR traffic advisories and airport approach and departure control should be reviewed. Control Tower Operations Ground instruction on tower operations should cover the selection of the appropriate tower frequencies, the use of ground control, and the emergency use of light gun signals. Flight Instrument Interpretation Ground instruction in the interpretation of flight instrument indications should be conducted by an instrument flight instructor who is instructing in the refresher course, in the event the ground instructor does not hold a flight instructor certificate or instrument rating. It is recommended that all flight instructors participating in the fight portion of the refresher course attend this segment of the ground school to insure standardization of terminology and instrument usage. The indications, capabilities, and limitations of the standard gyroscopic turn indicator, attitude indicator (artificial horizon), heading indicator, magnetic compass, airspeed indicator, and altimeter should be covered. ### Page 12 (OCR) Weather Services and Special Assistance The ground instruction should include a thorough review of the services and facilities available to a pilot at FAA Flight Service Stations and National Weather Service offices, and by taped telephone services and broadcasts on communication and navigation frequencies. At least the following items should be covered. Weather Reports and Forecasts This should include a review of the weather information available and how each type of weather information may be obtained. It should include at least sequence reports, terminal forecasts, wind forecasts, area forecasts, and special route forecasts. Weather Recognition was initiated. A pilot who forms the habit of continually confirming or noticing differences from forecast conditions is much less likely to be caught by unpredicted hazardous weather. For this instruction the visible characteristics of common significant weather conditions should be reviewed Radio Assistance Available in Flight Many valuable services by radio are available in flight, if the pilot knows how to request them. The ground instruction portion of the refresher course should cover at least the following: (1) Direct pilot-to-weather briefer service. This service is available by radio contact with any Flight Service Station operated by the FAA. Flight Service Specialists are qualified and certificated by the NOAA/NWS as Pilot Weather Briefers. (2) Radar vectors. Procedures for the use of disoriented pilots in requesting radar vectors to available landing areas. (3) DF fixes. Procedures for the use of disoriented pilots in requesting directional radio fixes from FAA facilities. cations should be introduced. (5) Emergency frequency. The availability of all types of assistance from civil and military stations on 121.5 mHz. Introduction to Radar, Transponders, Flight Directors, DME, and Area Navigation Although a trainee may have one or more of these installed in his airplane or in an airplane with which he is familiar, they are not all in common usage in general aviation. A short presentation of their functions, principles of operation, and limitations should be provided by an instructor or technician well informed on these devices. ### Page 13 (OCR) REFRESHER FLIGHT INSTRUCTION Basic Flight Maneuvers Flight Training Maneuvers The first flight in the Pilot Refresher Course should begin with the performance of a number of primary flight training maneuvers. This will help the trainee and the instructor to get acquainted and will give the instructor an opportunity to evaluate his trainee's piloting technique. The maneuvers selected should be simple, such as turns about a point, S turns, or rectangular courses; and climbs, glides, and turns. No extensive practice or instruction should be necessary beyond that needed to correct errors or clarify details of pilot technique which are not clearly shown by one maneuver. Coordination and Planning Exercises Part of the first flight lesson should be devoted to instruction and practice of coordination and planning exercises. These may vary from medium and steep turns to headings, to more advanced maneuvers such as chandelles and lazy eights. The instructor should base his selection of these exercises on the competency and deficiencies revealed during his trainee's performance of flight training maneuvers. This practice should continue until an acceptable level of coordination and planning is achieved. Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-arounds After an acceptable level of performance of flight training maneuvers and coordination and planning exercises has been achieved, the first flight period should be completed with a series of takeoffs, landings, and goarounds. These should be performed with precision, using accurate liftoff, climb, and approach speeds; maintaining an accurate traffic pattern; and complying with prescribed power and aircraft systems management. Directed Practice In the event further practice on some of the flight operations covered on the first lesson is needed, the instructor may direct his trainee to practice specific maneuvers or operations solo, or on a "buddy ride" with another When this is done, the trainee's performance of the maneuvers concerned should be reevaluated by the instructor at the beginning of the second dual fight lesson. Maximum Performance Maneuvers The training prescribed for the second dual instruction period should not be initiated until an acceptable level of competency is achieved in the 9 ### Page 14 (OCR) maneuvers and procedures prescribed for the first period, regardless of the flight time or number of flights required. Short and Soft Field Takeoffs and Landings, Maximum Climbs The instructor may, at his own discretion, require the practice of the use of maximum climbs before or after the maximum performance takeoffs prescribed. The trainee should be required to attain and hold for at least 3 minutes the best rate-of-climb airspeed published in the Airplane Flight Manual or Owner's Handbook for the airplane used. The altitude gained per minute by the clock after the climb stabilizes should be noted and, if time permits, compared with the climb resulting from other airspeeds. The best angle-of-climb speed should be practiced in the same manner, although an accurate check of the angle-of-climb achieved cannot be accurately measured without complex equipment. Short field takeoffs should be practiced by lifting off at just under the best angle-of-climb airspeed, and making the first 50 feet of climb at that airspeed. The recommended flap, trim, and power settings should be used. Short field landings are made from the normal traffic pattern. Full flaps are used for the last segment of the approach, and moderate slips may be used in airplanes with or without flaps. The applicant is not expected to steepen his approach slope after crossing the assumed obstruction. The flare for touchdown should result in little or no floating after the throttle is closed, if the proper approach speed has been maintained. Soft field takeoffs should be performed by lifting off the surface at the slowest possible speed, and holding the airplane just clear of the runway until the best rate-of-climb speed is attained before initiating further climb. The soft field landing is completed from a normal approach with touchdown at the slowest possible airspeed consistent with a soft touchdown. The nosewheel is held clear of the surface as long as possible during rollout. In tailwheel type airplanes, the tailwheel is held solidly on the surface from the instant of touchdown. When performing either of these maximum performance takeoffs in a multiengine airplane, takeoff shall not be initiated at less than the published engine-out minimum control speed. Maneuvering at Minimum Controllable Airspeed, Stall Recognition and Recovery Climbs, descents, and level flight on straight courses and in 20° to 30° banked turns should be practiced at minimum controllable airspeeds and at landing approach speeds. The smooth, prompt transition from cruising to landing approach speed while maintaining altitude and heading should be emphasized in higher performance single-engine and all multiengine Stall recognition and recoveries should be practiced from all normally anticipated flight situations. Although three such situations in which stalls have been found critical are specified in the Flight Test Guides, stall practice must not become an exercise in how to stall an airplane. Prompt stall recognition and correct recovery technique should be emphasized. ### Page 15 (OCR) ... Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings Crosswind techniques should emphasize the maintenance of a straight 5572572 initial climb in line with the takeoff run. Directional control on the ground, especially during the landing roll is the critical feature of this operation. During the demonstration and practice of crosswind takeoffs and landings, the maximum crosswind component limitations of the Airplane Flight Manual or Owner's Handbook must not be exceeded. Emergency Operations The emergency operations practiced during the second dual flight period should include forced landing procedures if a single-engine airplane is used, or engine-out procedures if a multiengine airplane is used, and the aircraft and equipment emergencies covered in the first ground school session. Forced landing techniques should be practiced at some established landing area, preferably an outlying practice field, where actual landings can be accomplished safely. Right and left approaches should be made from various altitudes and positions with the engine throttled. Use of the surprisei type of forced landing practice during other maneuvers may be made at the instructor's discretion, provided no simulated forced landing is given where an actual landing could not be safely effected by the instructor, or where the operation would involve a violation of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Engine-out maneuvers in multiengine airplanes should be practiced as they are described in the Multiengine Flight Test Guide. Aircraft and equipment emergency procedures should be actually performed when practicable, such as the manual extension of the gear or use of fuel boost pumps and crossfeed. Such emergency operations as the discharge of pressure fire extinguisher systems should be described and simulated. Directed Practice If further practice on some of the operations covered on the first two flight periods is needed, the instructor may direct his trainee to practice specific maneuvers solo or with another trainee. Forced landing practice should be limited to situations in which an actual landing on an established landing area is intended or completely feasible. Cross-Country Operations No extensive cross-country flights need be undertaken in pilot refresher courses. Demonstrations should be limited to short flights on assigned courses when necessary to practice specific operations. Training in crosscountry operations should not begin until the trainee has achieved an acceptable level of performance in all operations covered during the first two 11 ### Page 16 (OCR) Flight Planning ground school period, so that it can be limited to the actual procurement of current weather information, fueling and preflighting the airplane, and the provision and checking of appropriate equipment and aids. The filing of a VER flight plan should be at least simulated. Use of the Compass Assigned compass headings should be established and held for moderate periods of time, and heading changes of from 5° to 30° should be practiced, using only the magnetic compass for a heading reference. Turning errors should be noted in standard rate turns of at least 360° in each direction. Chart Reading Positive identification of position should be established by reference to information depicted on Sectional Aeronautical Charts, without the use of This can best be practiced at altitudes below 1,000 feet to limit the area which the trainee can scan for checkpoints. He should also be required to identify and find specific features indicated on the chart, such as quarries, towers, drive-in theaters, etc. VFR Radio Navigation No IFR radio orientation problems need be required; however, trainees should be able to determine and follow VOR radials, home and track on ADF bearings (if available in the airplane used), and establish fixes on a known track by cross bearings. How to find the necessary frequencies, tuning, and identification of radio facilities should be emphasized. Control by Reference to Flight Instruments During his checkout in a new airplane type, the pilot should demonstrate his ability to control the airplane manually in flight by reference to instru- No IFR flight procedures, as such, need be performed, but the pilot should be able to perform the following basic maneuvers smoothly and with confidence, using all instrumentation installed in the airplane. Level flight, climbs, turns, and descents. Climbs and descents should be performed at constant airspeeds, using constant rates of climb and descent. Turns should be performed at the standard rate, and be stopped within 20° of an assigned heading. Level flight should be performed within 100 feet of assigned altitude and within 10° of assigned heading. Recovery from unusual attitudes. The pilot should be able to recover positively and smoothly from both nose-high and nose-low unusual attitudes established by the check pilot. The attitudes used should be moderate displacements from normal flight, characteristic of errors due to diversion of attention from the instruments during instrument flight. They should include climbing turns, incipient power spirals, increasing or decreasing 12 ### Page 17 (OCR) angles of bank, and significant variations in airspeed. Recovery should be accomplished to straight and level flight by reference to instruments without imposing any excessive load factors or involving airspeeds which are dangerously close to the placarded maximum speed or to stalling speed. Directed Practice The instructor may direct his trainee to review and practice all maneuvers and procedures covered in the refresher course, in preparation for the final course check. He should be directed to pay special attention to operations on which further practice and instructions were found necessary during the Competency Flight Check Each trainee should receive a comprehensive flight check covering all operations reviewed during his pilot refresher course. Check procedures and standards should be at least equivalent to those prescribed for pilot certification flight tests in the appropriate FAA Flight Test Guide. These checks should be conducted and evaluated by an alternate instructor participating in the refresher course, or by the chief instructor designated for Trainees who meet the prescribed standards for this flight check may be certified as having successfully completed the Pilot Refresher Course prescribed by this Advisory Circular. ### Page 18 (OCR) **SYLLABUS FOR INSTRUMENT PILOT** REFRESHER COURSE A syllabus tabulating the training recommended for an instrument pilot refresher course is shown in figure 2. It provides the instrument experience requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations for IFR (instrument flight rules) flight operations. FIcURE 2. Syllabus for Instrument Pilot Refresher Course Ground Flight Directed Instruction Instruction Practice Period 1 Lesson 1 1 hour 1. Instrument training 1. Instrument training Practice as assigned-airmaneuvers. maneuvers. plane or ground trainer. 2. Enroute and approach 2. Emergency use of pricharts. mary instruments. 3. Flight planning. 4. Equipment requirements. Period 2 Lesson 2 I hour 1. Use of VORs. 1. Omnibearings. Practice as assigned-air- 2. Use of ADF. 2. ADF bearings and plane or ground trainer. 3. The ILS. tracking. 4. Radar vectors. 3. IFR clearances. 5. DME, Doppler, trans- 4. Position reports. ponders, RADAR, etc. Period 3 Lesson 3 1 hour 1. FAR Parts 61, 91, 93, 1. Standard instrument Practice as assigned-airand 99. approaches: VOR, plane or ground trainer. 2. Airman's Information ADF, ILS, RADAR. Manual. 2. Missed approaches. 3. Flight plans and clear- 3. Holding patterns. ances. 4. Preferred routes, SIDs, and STARs. 5. Holding procedures. Period 4 Lesson 4 1. Weather reports and Cross-country flight unforecasts. der simulated IFR condi- 2. Weather recognition. tions, with three standard 3. Instrument emergencis. instrument approaches. ### Page 19 (OCR) Modification of Syllabus to Suit Circumstances The syllabus for the Instrument Pilot Refresher Course prescribes the minimum coverage. It is appropriate for refresher training only and does not provide for the coverage of unfamiliar operations, such as area navigation, unless the appropriate segments of the course are expanded. Ground instruction "periods" and flight "lessons" are specified in terms of the training to be covered, without reference to the time devoted to each. It is not contemplated that the course could be completed in less than ment rating privileges. This course may be offered privately or at pilot training clinics of various duration. It is not considered feasible to attempt it in less than 2 days, and it may be effectively extended for as long as a week. For longer courses, it is recommended that the syllabus be extended by allotting more time to each training item covered rather than by the introduction of additional subjects. There is no objection, however, to the addition or introduction of other subjects provided the course retains its basic scope, format, and coordination of ground and flight instruction. Use of Synthetic Instrument Trainer The use of synthetic instrument trainers for the directed practice listed in the course syllabus is encouraged. Training and practice with such devices should be under the direction of a certificated ground instructor with an Instrument Ground Instructor Rating, or an Instrument Flight Portions of the flight instruction required by the syllabus may be conducted in synthetic trainers, provided all instrument flight maneuvers specified in Lesson 1 and the cross-country flight specified in Lesson 4 are conducted in actual flight under simulated or actual IFR conditions. ### Page 20 (OCR) **REFRESHER GROUND INSTRUCTION FOR** INSTRUMENT PILOTS Instrument Flying Instrument Flight Training Maneuvers This should consist of a review of the purpose and performance of each of the common instrument flight training maneuvers. It is recommended that this item should be presented by an instrument flight instructor who is instructing in the refresher course, unless the ground instructor is also a rated instrument flight instructor. In the interest of the consistency of ground and flight training, flight instructors assigned to the instrument refresher course should attend at least the first ground school period. Use of Enroute and Approach Charts The procurement and use of Enroute Low Altitude Charts, Instrument Approach Procedure Charts, and Area Charts should be reviewed. The National Ocean Survey Charts may be used, or one of the standard commercial series of such charts. The revision procedure and schedules for such charts should be emphasized. Instrument Flight Planning The selection of routes and alternate routes, preparation of flight logs, and the selection of necessary documents and equipment for IFR flights should be covered. Equipment Requirements for IFR Flight This item includes a review of the aircraft and pilot equipment required for IFR operations, including instrumentation, communications and navigation radio, and VOR accuracy checks. Radio Navigation Procedures Use of VORs and DME The use of omnidirectional radio ranges for bearings, tracking, distances, and the interception of desired courses should be covered. The use of cross-bearings for position fixes should be emphasized where DME is not Use of ADF The use of ADF for homing, tracking to and from a station, intercepting desired ADF bearings, and for cross-bearings to fix position should be covered. ### Page 21 (OCR) ILS Approaches The elements and the use of the ILS approach system should be reviewed. Coordination of throttle and elevator to maintain glide slope should be emphasized. Radar Vectors and Transponders The use of RADAR vectors for departures, approaches, and for monitoring ILS approaches should be covered. Procedures for requesting RADAR assistance should be reviewed. Appropriate transponder use for normal and emergency operations should be reviewed. Introduction to Flight Directors, Airborne Radar, and Area Navigation Although some of the trainees may be familiar with these systems, they are mostly new to general aviation. A short presentation of their functions, principles of operation, and limitations should be provided by an instructor or technician well informed on these types of airborne equipment. Regulations and Enroute Procedures Federal Aviation Regulations This segment of the ground instruction should cover the portions of the Federal Aviation Regulations which apply to IFR operations. In addition, although it is not necessary that these be studied for content, trainees should be familiar with what is contained in "Special Air Traffic Rules and Airport Traffic Patterns" (FAR, Part 93), "IFR Altitudes" (FAR, Part 95), "Standard Instrument Approach Procedures" (FAR, Part 97), and "Security Control of Air Traffic" (FAR, Part 99), as applicable to instrument Airman's Information Manual The contents of the Airman's Information Manual which are important to instrument flight operations should be reviewed. IFR Flight Plans and Clearances This part of the ground instruction should cover the required content of IFR flight plan and the procedures for wording, filing, and delivery of IFR clearances. If desired, the use of "shorthand" symbols for the transcription of clearances may be covered. Preferred Routes, Standard Instrument Departures, and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes The importance and use of preferred routes, standard instrument departures (SIDs), and standard terminal arrival routes (STARs) should be reviewed. Their use in filing flight plans should be covered. Holding Procedures Standard holding procedure entries should be thoroughly reviewed. ### Page 22 (OCR) Meteorology and Emergency Procedures Weather Reports, Forecasts, and Charts This should cover the aeronautical weather reports, forecasts, and charts available to instrument pilots, and how they may normally be obtained. Weather Recognition This is a review of the characteristics of significant weather situations of importance to instrument pilots. The relation of observed weather to forecasts received should be emphasized, as should the required pilot reports of unforecast weather encountered enroute. IFR Emergencies The pilot's responsibility for emergency action, radio and instrument failure procedures, icing, and deteriorating weather emergencies should be covered. ### Page 23 (OCR) **REFRESHER FLIGHT INSTRUCTION FOR** INSTRUMENT PILOTS Instrument Flying The first flight lesson in the instrument pilot refresher course should be a review of basic instrument flying, including the emergency use of the primary flight instruments. Instrument Training Maneuvers Standard basic instrument training maneuvers, such as turns, changes of airspeed, climbs, descents, recovery from unusual attitudes, and practice patterns should be reviewed. Any weaknesses or deficiencies should be corrected before continuing to the IFR operations portions of the course. Emergency Use of Primary Instruments The use of the "needle, ball, and airspeed" for the control and maneuvering of the airplane should be reviewed. This should include straight-andlevel flight, climbs, descents, timed turns, flight at minimum controllable airspeeds, and recoveries from unusual attitudes. The objective is not so much to develop precision as it is to demonstrate confidence and the assurance of ability to control an airplane in emergencies. The instructor may, at his discretion, direct his trainee to practice specified maneuvers and procedures covered on the first flight lesson. This may be done in an airplane with a competent safety pilot, or in a synthetic instrument trainer operated by an Instrument Ground Instructor or Instrument Flight Instructor. Radio Navigation The second lesson should begin only after the trainee has demonstrated adequate competency in all maneuvers and procedures covered in the first In the event directed practice has been assigned after the first lesson, the maneuvers practiced should be reviewed by the instructor before the second lesson begins. Omnibearings, Tracking, and DME The use of omnibearings and DME for orientation, position fixes, and tracking should be reviewed. Tracking to and from VOR stations and the interception and tracking of desired radials should be emphasized. ### Page 24 (OCR) ADF Bearings and Tracking The use of ADF bearings for position fixes and homing should be cov. ered. Tracking on ADF bearings should be covered, as should the interception of desired ADF courses. IFR Clearances During this lesson, IFR clearances should be requested and accepted by radio, or simulated, including readback and transcription. All clearances and clearance amendments should be transcribed and read back in accordance with recommended procedures. Such clearances should be obtained from the appropriate FAA facility or simulated for each subsequent flight during the refresher course. Position Reports During the practice of radio navigation procedures, position reports should be delivered to the appropriate FAA facility or simulated (just as for actual IFR flights) each time an assigned radio fix is established. Directed Practice The instructor may direct his trainee to practice specified maneuvers and procedures covered during the flight lesson. The trainee may do this in an airplane with a qualified safety pilot, or in a synthetic instrument trainer operated by an Instrument Ground Instructor or an Instrument Flight Instructor. Standard Instrument Approaches The trainee should practice as many of the following types of standard instrument approaches as are possible with the aircraft equipment and the available facilities. **VOR/VOR-DME.** ILS.- Localizer approaches may be practiced in airplanes which are not equipped with glide slope receivers. **NDB.** RADAR.- Radar monitored ILS approaches may be practiced in conjunction with the demonstrations of ILS approaches, and ASR approaches may be practiced where facilities provide this service. Missed Approach Procedures.-The missed approach procedure prescribed for each type of approach practiced should be demonstrated. Directed Practice.--The instructor may direct his trainee to practice specified procedures covered during the flight lesson. This may be done in an airplane with a qualified safety pilot, or in a synthetic instrument trainer operated by an Instrument Ground Instructor or an Instrument Flight Instructor. ### Page 25 (OCR) Cross-Country Instrument Flight The cross-country flight should be made using an IFR flight plan under actual or simulated IFR conditions. It should cover a triangular course on Federal airways, and involve approximately 3 hours of instrument flying. Standard instrument approaches should be practiced at three different locations, preferably using different approach systems. The cross-country flight should not be undertaken until the trainee has demonstrated his proficiency in all other maneuvers and procedures covered by the refresher course. For graduation, the trainee's performance on the cross-country flight should meet the standards prescribed for an instrument rating flight test in the FAA Instrument Pilot Flight Test Guide. ### Page 26 (OCR) **FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS' ENDORSEMENTS AND** GRADUATION CERTIFICATES Logbook Entries The flight instructor should enter and certify each period of flight instruction in the logbook of his trainee. The flight instructor may certify in his trainee's logbook the satisfactory completion of the pilot refresher course outlined in this Advisory Circular as follows: **FAA PILOT REFRESHER COURSE OUTLINED IN AC 61-10A SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED 7/31/72.** /s/ DAVID LIVINGSTON, CFT 386423 FAA INSTRUMENT PILOT REFRESHER COURSE OUTLINED IN AC 61-10A SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED 7/31/72. /s/ DAVID LIVINGSTON, CFI 386423 25 ### Page 27 (OCR) Graduation Certificate An agency or organization that conducts or sponsors a pilot refresher course may issue graduation certificates to graduates of the course. Figure 3 is a sample to follow for such graduation certificate. FIGURE 3. Sample for a graduation certificate. CENTRAL FLYING SERVICE Center City, Okla. CERTIFICATE OF GRADUATION This is to certify that M. W. Williams has graduated from a pilot refresher course which meets the standards prescribed in Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular Number 61-10A for commercial pilot. Date of graduation July 31, 1972 Given under my hand and seal this 31st day of July, 19 72 Agency SW-TWO-100 26 #U.S. Government Printing Office: 1990 - 719-085/10862 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.