AC 61-10A
PRIVATE AND
COMMERCIAL PILOTS Refresher Courses 1972 ECK
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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,
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.
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.