Syllabus Summary

Preparation for flight and action after

Basic Concepts

• Taxiing
• Effect of Controls
• Straight and Level
• Climbing and Descending
• Turns - Medium, C & D
• Slow Flight

Circuits Training

• Circuit Intro
• Circuit Considerations
• Engine Failure after Takeoff
• Crosswind Circuits
• Glide Approach
• Vacating & Joining
• Radio Failure
• FLWOP

Advanced Manoeuvres

• Steep Turns

• Maximum Rate Turns

• Short-Field Takeoff & Landing
• Low Flying Intro
• Low Flying Consolidation
• Precautionary Landing
• Terrain & Weather Awareness
• Basic Mountain Flying

Instrument Flying

• Compass Use

• IF - Intro

• IF - Limited Panel

• IF - Unusual Attitudes

Preparation for flight and action after

Personal preparation

• Be Fit and enthusiastic
• Ensure Logbook records are neat and complete in all respects
• Be able to Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the privileges, limitations and currency requirements of the applicable certificate

Aircraft documents

• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the aircraft’s documents
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the aircraft’s limitations

Weather, NZAIP and supplements

• Obtain all Met data appropriate to the proposed or hypothetical flight
• Obtain, review and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the relevance of NOTAM’s to the proposed or hypothetical flight
• Demonstrate ability to analyse ARFOR’s, TAF, METAR and SPECI, SIGMET if applicable
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the contents and use of the AIP Volume 4 and VNC
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of flight planning data and be able to make a sound go/no-go decision

Aircraft performance and operating requirements

• (1) Use all appropriate performance charts, tables and data
• (2) Use the appropriate conditions to accurately and quickly calculate the take-off and landing distance 
• Complete the calculations required in (1) and (2) within 30 minutes
• Ensure sufficient runway length is available for take-off and landing by correctly comparing distance required to distance available
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of all seasonal factors affecting aircraft performance

Fuel management

• Accurately calculate fuel requirements, including reserves
• Accurately establish the quantity of fuel on board and convert this to flight time, including reserve
• Correctly operate the auxiliary fuel pump in accordance with the aircraft’s flight manual
• Select the appropriate fuel tank for start, taxi and take-off in accordance with the aircraft’s flight manual
• Monitor tank selection and fuel consumption in flight converting to flight time remaining, including reserves

Aircraft loading: Including fuel, oil and baggage

• Demonstrate ability to calculate takeoff and landing weight accurately and quickly
• Accurately determine Centre of Gravity position for take-off and landing
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the principles of loading and load security
• Complete all performance calculations accurately and in a timely manner

Pre-flight

• Conduct the pre-flight inspection thoroughly and in accordance with the Pilot’s Operating Handbook
• Identify and explain the purpose of significant aircraft features 
• Correctly store and secure baggage, freight and loose articles

Emergency equipment

• Ensure passengers are closely supervised on the movement area
• Brief passengers fully on position and use of emergency equipment
• Ensure passengers can operate doors and briefs on any alternative means of escape
• Ensure passengers can operate seat belts and shoulder restraints and ensure they are secure
• Brief passengers fully on the location and operation of an Emergency Transmitter 
• Brief passengers on smoking rules, and does not permit it
• Brief passengers thoroughly on actions in the event of an emergency and to keep hands and feet clear of controls at all times

Engine Start, Warm Up and Shutdown

• Correctly position the aircraft for starting with emphasis on avoiding the creation of a hazard to aircraft, objects or people
• Correctly set brakes
• Start, check and operate the engine, observing all limitations, in accordance with the flight manual
• Observe all engine limitations prior to taxiing in accordance with the flight manual or checklist
• React rapidly in accordance with the aircraft’s flight manual in response to a simulated engine fire
• Shut down the engine in accordance with the aircraft’s flight manual or checklist
• Secure the aircraft in accordance with the aircraft’s flight manual and complete all post flight actions

Engine Checks, Run-up and Operation

• Demonstrate knowledge of all engine operating limitations as specified in the aircraft’s flight manual and complete the run-up in accordance with the checklist
• Operate the engine within its limitations at all times smoothly, precisely and prudently, avoiding sudden temperature changes

Pre Take-Off Checks

• Complete pre take-off checks
• Carry out a thorough pre take-off briefing, including the departure procedure (if applicable)

Air Traffic Service Procedure

• Obtain and record ATIS
• Obtain a clearance or broadcast intentions as and when appropriate
• Evaluate ATS clearances and instructions, complying or rejecting as appropriate
• Read back all appropriate instructions, information and clearances
• Use correct aviation phraseology at all times
• Communicate in an appropriate, authoritative and assertive manner
• Record and set QNH, cross check altimeter(s) for accuracy by an acceptable method and can fully describe unattended altimeter setting procedures

Threat and error management

• Exhibit a high level of situational awareness with emphasis on operational factors
• Exhibit superior knowledge of human factors, particularly those relevant to the operation
• Verbalise the decision making process with emphasis on any decision influenced by the operational environment

Radiotelephony tuning and procedures

• Maintain a continuous listening watch, guarding the appropriate radio frequencies
• Use a clear concise, and well modulated voice when communicating by radio
• Communicate in an appropriately authoritative and assertive manner
• Use correct aviation phraseology at all times

Lookout (critical task)

• Maintain a continuous and systematic lookout both on the ground and in the air
• Maintain VMC to ensure VFR flight at all times
• Maintain a high level of situational awareness by building a mental picture of the relative position of all traffic which may potentially affect the flight

Flight Orientation

• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the airspace boundaries, VFR lanes and reporting points of the local area
• At all times during the flight remain orientated with no likelihood of unintentionally infringing controlled airspace
• Use VFR reporting points and make compulsory position reports correctly and punctually

Taxiing

Aim:

To manoeuvre the gyro on the ground at an appropriate speed, following a selected path, and stopping at a nominated point.

Considerations:

• Speed Control
  • Inertia
  • Throttle operation
  • Braking operation
  • Fast walking pace
  • Surface, Slope, Wind
• Directional Control
  • Nosewheel steering,
  • Differential braking
  • Rudder steering (slipstream)
  • Pedal operation
• Control Positioning
  • Rotors turning or static
   

Airmanship:

• Lookout
• Rotor tip clearances
• Slipstream considerations
• Right of way rules
• Aerodrome layout
• Windsock location
• Radio use

Aircraft Management:

• T's and P's suitable
• Park brake operation
• Brake check
• Avoid using power and brake together
• Seat and pedal position
• Caution surface conditions
• No reverse available
• Brake failure procedure

Human Factors:

• Clean windscreen/visor
• Blindspots
  • Move the head
   

Exercise:

• Moving off
  • Lookout
  • Close throttle, release park brake
  • Increase power to overcome inertia
  • Close throttle
  • Test brakes
• Maintaining constant speed
  • Anticipate power required
  • Taxi at a fast-walking pace
  • Avoid using power against brake
• Maintaining constant direction
  • Look well ahead and to the sides, not just over the nose
• Turning
  • Lookout - scan left & right for traffic/obstacles
  • Rudder, Power, &/or differential braking
• Stopping
  • Lookout and anticipate nominated point
  • Throttle closed
  • Apply brake smoothly
  • Once stopped, park brake on
  • Set idle engine RPM
• After landing (Rotors turning)
  • Bring gyro to a stop
  • Move stick fwd & keep into wind
  • Taxi slowly off runway
• Brake Failure
  • Close throttle and steer away from obstacles
  • Collision imminent, Ignition off
   

Objectives:

• Perform brake check smoothly as soon as the aircraft begins to move
• Control taxi speed without excessive braking
• Recognise and avoid hazards
• Position controls correctly
• Park gyro into wind for run-up, wheel straight
• Park gyro correctly after flight

Effect of Controls

Aim:

To demonstrate the effect movement of the controls, have on the gyro in flight & on the ground.

Considerations

• 3 axes of movement  
  • Longitudinal
    • Roll - Stick - Rotor disc
  • Lateral
    • Pitch - Stick - Rotor disc
  • Normal
    • Yaw - Pedals - Rudder
• Production of lift
  • Aerofoil Shape
  • Angle of Attack
  • Rotor RPM
• Inertia
• Slipstream
  • Rudder
• Throttle
  • Engine/Propeller RPM
• Trim
  • Remove stick force
• Attitude vs Horizon

Airmanship:

• Lookout
  • See and be seen
  • Clock code
• Handover of controls
  • "I have control/You have control"
  • "Follow me through"
• Area Orientation
  • Local landmarks
• IMSAFE
• Fly using Horizon

Aircraft Management:

• Throttle use
  • Appropriate grip
  • Smooth movements
  • Push forward to increase power
  • Pull back to decrease power
• Stick use
  • Positive and smooth movements
• Pedal use
  • Feet position
  • One pedal moves forward, the other moves back
• T's & P's
  • Green & normal
   

Human Factors:

• Blindspots
  • Move the head
• Stress/Information Overload
  • Practise helps to overcome
   

Exercise:

• Taxi to holding point
• Attitude vs Horizon
• Effect of primary controls 
  • Stick aft - Nose pitches up
    • Airspeed and Engine RPM reduces
  • Stick forward - Nose pitches down
    • Airspeed and Engine RPM increases
  • Stick left - Aircraft rolls left
  • Stick right - aircraft rolls right
  • Left Pedal - nose yaws left
  • Right pedal - nose yaws right
• Airspeed
  • higher speed
    • Rudder more effective
    • Smaller movements required        
  • lower speed
    • rudder less effective
    • Larger movements required        
• Slipstream
  • higher power
    • rudder more effective
  • lower power
    • rudder less effective
• Power
  • increase
    • pitch up, yaw left, roll right *
  • decrease
    • pitch down, yaw right, roll left *
• Trim
  • holding forward pressure
    • trim forward *
  • holding back pressure
    • trim back *
• After landing
  • stop, stick forward then into wind, taxi off runway
   

Objectives:

• Smooth positive movements of controls
• Keep constant attitude with power changes
• Appreciate less airflow over rudder = less effectiveness and more movement required
• Lookout ahead and to the sides before turning
• Locate reference points of area for orientation
• Be able to trim the aircraft to maintain an attitude

Straight and Level

Aim:

To fly the gyro at a constant height, speed, and direction.

Considerations:

• 4 forces acting in flight
  • Lift, Weight, Thrust, Drag
• Equilibrium
  • Lift = Weight
  • Thrust = Drag
• Production of Lift
  • Angle of Attack vs Airspeed
• Power + Attitude = Performance
• Trim to remove stick force

Airmanship:

• Lookout
  • See and be seen
  • Sectored scan - 20 degrees/2 seconds
  • Clock code
• Handover of controls
  • "I have control/You have control"
  • "Follow me through"
• Area Orientation
  • Local landmarks
• VFR Minima's
  • Distance from cloud
  • Visibility
• IMSAFE
• Fly using Horizon

Aircraft Management:

• Throttle use
  • Appropriate grip
  • Smooth movements
  • Push forward to increase power
  • Pull back to decrease power
• Stick use
  • Positive and smooth movements
• Pedal use
  • Feet position
  • One pedal moves forward, the other moves back
• T's & P's
  • Green & normal
• Cruise ERPM
• Fuel Management

Human Factors:

• Blindspots
  • Move the head
• Stress/Information Overload
  • Practise helps to overcome
   

Exercise:

• Select
  • ref point on horizon
  • ref altitude
   

• Demo S&L 
  • note
    • attitude relative to horizon (level in pitch)
    • disc level in roll
    • in balance
    • trimmed to maintain attitude
    • airspeed
     
   

• Maintain (LAI)
  • Lookout
    • ref point, heading constant
  • Attitude
    • visual check nose attitude, disc level 
  • Instruments
    • confirm visual check (ASI, ALT, ERPM, Balance)
     
   

Student practice:                   maintaining S&L

• Off Altitude  

  • Small adjustment (<50’)        

    • Low     - raise nose slightly

    • High    - lower nose slightly

     

  • Large adjustment (>50’)        

    • Low     - Increase Power, raise nose

    • High    - Decrease Power, lower nose

     
   

• Off Heading   

  • Stick & Rudder in direction required

   

• Out of Balance 
  • String straight
  • Ball centred
   

• S&L
  • lower power
    • note higher nose attitude
  • higher power
    • note lower nose attitude
     
   

Objectives:

• Achieve and maintain S&L flight at nominated altitude +/- 100feet
• Maintain a heading +/- 5 degrees
• Trim the aircraft to maintain S&L flight
• Maintain a good lookout for collision avoidance
• Remain in VMC
• Navigate aircraft from ADEP to nominated area and back
• Demo familiarity with airspace boundaries
• Monitor fuel consumption during flight
• Confirm fuel pumps on and fuel pressure
• Operating the throttle smoothly, avoiding abrupt temperature changes

Climbing and Descending

Aim:

To climb and descend with a constant airspeed and direction and level off at pre-selected altitudes

Considerations:

• Forces acting in a Climb
  • Thrust = Drag + RCW
• Climb Performance
  • Depends on power available
  • Best ROC speed
• Normal climb
  • Full power
  • Best ROC speed
• Cruise climb
• Glide descents (engine failure)
  • Speed maintained by lowering the nose attitude
  • Use idle power
  • Best glide speed
• Cruise descent 

Airmanship:

• Lookout 
  • climb nose attitude = less vis
• Situational Awareness
  • Threat & Error management
  • VFR Minima's
  • Minimum heights
  • Airspace limits
  • Listen out
• Handover of controls
• IMSAFE
• Fly using Horizon

Aircraft Management:

• Use of controls
  • Positive and Smooth
• T's & P's
  • Green & normal
• Climb operations
  • Time limit at full power
• Descent operations
  • Prolonged glide
• Fuel Management

Human Factors:

• Altitude
  • Sinuses
  • Scuba diving and flying
• Vision
  • Empty sky myopia
   

Exercise:

• Select
  • Ref point
• Climb (PAT) 
  • Select Altitude to level off at
  • Power
    • Full power (rudder)
  • Attitude
    • Set for best ROC
  • Trim
    • to maintain attitude
  • Lookout, Attitude, Instruments (LAI)
• Level off (Anticipate altitude by 20 feet) 
  • Power
    • Decrease to cruise power (rudder)
  • Attitude
    • Select cruise speed
  • Trim
    • to maintain attitude
  • Lookout, Attitude, Instruments (LAI)
• Descent
  • Select altitude to level off at
  • Power
    • Reduce to idle rpm (rudder)
  • Attitude
    • Set for best glide speed
  • Trim
    • to maintain attitude
  • Lookout, Attitude, Instruments (LAI)
• Level off (Anticipate altitude by 50 feet)
  • Power
    • Increase to cruise power (rudder)
  • Attitude
    • Select cruise speed
  • Trim
    • to maintain attitude
  • Lookout, Attitude, Instruments (LAI)
   

• Cruise Climb
  • Increase speed to more than best ROC
• Cruise Descent 
  • Increase power to above idle
  • Increase speed to more than best glide
   

Objectives:

• Maintain a nominated climb and descent speed +/- 5 knots
• Maintain a heading +/- 5 degrees
• Trim the aircraft to maintain climb and descent attitudes
• Maintain T's & P's within acceptable limits
• Clearing the flight path ahead of the aircraft
• Remain in VMC
• Navigate aircraft from ADEP to nominated area and back
• Demo familiarity with airspace boundaries
• Listen to communications from ground stations and other aircraft
• Use the aircrafts radio to communicate clearly and concisely
• Use correct aeronautical phraseology at all times

Turns - Medium

Aim:

To turn the gyro with a constant angle of bank, constant altitude, and in balance.

Considerations:

• Lift vector
• Adverse Yaw
• Performance in the climbing turn

Airmanship:

• Lookout
• Scan technique
• Listen out
• Situational Awareness
• IMSAFE
• Fly using Horizon
• VFR Minima's

Aircraft Management:

• Throttle use
• T's & P's - Green & normal
• Fuel Management

Human Factors:

• Disorientation
• Resisting bank
• Blindspots

Exercise:

• Select ref point
• Select ref altitude
• Demonstrate medium turn
• Note attitude, angle of bank, balance, trim, airspeed
• Turn Entry
• Turn Maintenance
• Turn Exit
• Climbing Turn
• Descending Turn

Lesson Objectives:

• Trim the aircraft to maintain level, climb and descent attitudes
• Maintain T's & P's within acceptable limits
• Clearing the flight path ahead of the aircraft
• Entering, maintaining, and exiting from level turning manoeuvres with smooth and coordinated control applications, maintaining altitude +/-100 feet and no major deflection in balance
• Maintaining situational awareness and orientation through lookout and the selection of a suitable reference point
• Maintain a nominated level, climb and descent speeds +/- 5 knots
• Remain in VMC

General Objectives

• Navigate aircraft from ADEP to nominated area and back
• Demo familiarity with airspace boundaries
• Listen to communications from ground stations and other aircraft
• Use the aircrafts radio to communicate clearly and concisely
• Use correct aeronautical phraseology at all times

Slow Flight

Aim:

To slow the gyro, control it in straight and level and turning flight, maintaining a constant altitude at a low airspeed and return it safely to normal operating airspeeds.

Considerations:

• Power available vs Power required graph

Airmanship:

• Lookout
• Listen out
• Situational Awareness
• IMSAFE
• Fly using Horizon
• VFR Minima's

Aircraft Management:

• Throttle use
• T's & P's - Green & normal
• Fuel Management

Human Factors:

• Blindspots

Exercise:

• Select reference point
• Select reference altitude
• Demonstrate medium turn
• Note: attitude, angle of bank, balance, trim, airspeed
• Turn Entry
• Turn Maintenance
• Turn Exit
• Climbing Turn
• Descending Turn

Lesson Objectives:

• Trim the aircraft to maintain level, climb and descent attitudes
• Maintain T's & P's within acceptable limits
• Clearing the flight path ahead of the aircraft
• Entering, maintaining, and exiting from level turning manoeuvres with smooth and coordinated control applications, maintaining altitude +/-100 feet and no major deflection in balance
• Maintaining situational awareness and orientation through lookout and the selection of a suitable reference point
• Maintain a nominated level, climb and descent speeds +/- 5 knots
• Remain in VMC

General Objectives

• Navigate aircraft from ADEP to nominated area and back
• Demo familiarity with airspace boundaries
• Listen to communications from ground stations and other aircraft
• Use the aircrafts radio to communicate clearly and concisely
• Use correct aeronautical phraseology at all times

Circuit Intro

AIM:          To fly an orderly pattern around the aerodrome circuit in accordance with NZAIP procedures using the most suitable runway

CONSIDERATIONS:

Take Off

• Swing on T/O       
  • Slipstream      
    • Yaw Left      Keep straight
  • Torque             
    • Roll right       on ref point
• Wind                    
  • Crosswind      
    • a/c weathercocks into wind
  • Headwind      
    • shorter ground roll
    • steeper climb
    • better obstacle clearance
  • Tailwind         
    • greatly longer ground roll
    • shallow climb
    • poor obstacle clearance
     
   

Landing  

• Wind                    
  • headwind       
    • shorter ground roll
    • steeper approach
  • tailwind           
    • longer ground roll
    • shallow approach
  • Power             
    • Controls ROD
  • Nose attitude 
    • Controls Airspeed
     
   

Airmanship:

Right of Way (ROW)

aircraft landing have ROW over aircraft taking off

aircraft in the circuit have ROW over aircraft joining

Follow at a safe distance, do not overtake or cut in front of other aircraft

All turns in the circuit direction

Circuit height 1000' AAL unless otherwise shown

Aircraft Management:

Human Factors:

IMSAFE

Situational Awareness

lookout/listen osut

close proximity to other aircraft

maintain awareness of 

your position

other aircraft in the circuit

joining aircraft

Runway perspective

AIR EXERCISE:

Takeoff

• keep straight with rudder
• keep level with stick
• nosewheel balance 1foot off the ground
• smoothly through to full power
• fly level until 60 mph

After Takeoff

• when established in the climb
• positive ROC
• 60mph
• clear of all obstacles
• trim

500ft Point

• Pick ref pt 90° off the nose
• turn onto crosswind
• check a/c is tracking 90° to the runway

Turning Downwind

• Pick ref pt 90° off the nose
• turn onto downwind
• check a/c is tracking parallel to the runway

Objectives (to be confirmed)

• Flys an accurate circuit pattern maintaining the correct circuit height
• Completes pre-landing checks in accordance with the checklist
• Obtains clearances when required, requesting an alternative if necessary
• Establishes a normal approach using full flap when appropriate
• Maintains the recommended approach speed accurately
• Maintains a steady, optimum approach profile, to the round out
• Smooth, timely and correct control applications during transition from approach to round out and landing
• Maintains runway centre line throughout the landing

Circuit Considerations

Engine Failure After Take-off (EFATO)

Crosswind Circuits

Glide Approach

Vacating & Joining

Radio Failure

Forced Landing Without Power (FLWOP)

Steep Turns

Short Field Take-off & Landing

Low Flying Intro

Low Flying Consolidation

Precautionary Landing

Terrain & Weather Awareness

Basic Mountain Flying