> [!tip] > [[ATC]] wants to help students improve. It's good to include "student solo" in your initial transmission with each new controller. # Initial Solo Practice *Get a feel for flying solo.* - Fly the traffic pattern. Practice [[PPL1.4 Normal and Crosswind Takeoffs and Climbs|takeoffs]], [[PPL3.2 Normal and Crosswind Approaches and Landings|normal landings]], and [[PPL3.5 Short- and Soft-Field Takeoffs and Landings|short/soft field landings]]. - Leave for the practice area, work on [[PPL2.1 Slow Flight and Power-Off Stalls|slow flight]] and [[PPL1.2 Four Fundamentals of Flight|four fundamentals]], then return to traffic pattern. # Nearing Checkride *Practice everything from the [[Private Pilot ACS]], making sure to understand and achieve all standards. [[All Maneuvers Quick Reference]] may be useful for this.* > [!note] All references to the [[Private Pilot ACS|ACS]] are for the November 2023 version. > [!abstract]- Suggestions for how to use this plan... > Pick a sequence for that day’s flight. Read the referenced ACS section. Build a detailed flight plan that covers all the tasks listed in the sequence, making note of the tolerances listed in the ACS. Go fly the plan. Keep a record of your performance on the flight - notably, was the execution of the task within ACS standards? Record results in your flight diary. Keep working through the sequences until you can’t get them wrong! ## For Every Practice Flight | Task | ACS Code | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------- | | Pilotage and Dead Reckoning^[Remembering to [[Lights, Camera, Action, Time\|start a timer]] is a particular pain point.] | PA.VI.A.S1-S7 | | Straight and Level Flight | PA.IX.D.S1-S2 | | Brief on Emergency Equipment | PA.VIII.S1-S2 | | Radio Comms, Nav Systems, and Radar Svcs | PA.VIII.F.S1-S2 | ## Targeted Flights ### Sequence A: Simulated Instrument Maneuvers > [!warning] Any actual flying under the hood to be done with CFI! > This is only meant to practice the procedures, not using only instruments. You should maintain full visibility outside. | Task | ACS Code | | ------------------------- | --------------- | | Normal Takeoff & Climb | PA.IV.A.S1-S15 | | Constant Speed Climbs | PA.VIII.B.S1-S3 | | Constant Speed Descents | PA.VIII.C.S1-S3 | | Turns to Headings | PA.VIII.D.S1 | | Normal Approach & landing | PA.IV.B.S1-S12 | ### Sequence B: Slow Flight | Task | ACS Code | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------- | | Soft Field Takeoff & Climb | PA.IV.C.S1-S14 | | Slow Flight^[Especially: Reaction to horn / Reaction to break; Coordinated flight; Manage pitch/power to avoid stall/horn; Straight & Level, Turns, Climbs, Descents] | PA.VII.A.S1-S5 | | Soft Field Approach & Landing | PA.IV.D.S1-S13 | ### Sequence C: Traffic Pattern and Landings | Task | ACS Code | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------- | | Short Field Takeoff & Climb | PA.IV.E.S1-S15 | | Forward Slip to Landing^[Though not required for the ACS, consider also no flap landings] | PA.IV.M.S1-S9 | | Go Arounds | PA.IV.N.S1-S9 | | Short Field Approach & Landing | PA.IV.F.S1-S13 | ### Sequence D: Steep Turns, Stalls, Sim Engine Failures | Task | ACS Code | | ------------------------------------------- | --------------- | | Choice of Performance Takeoff & Climb | PA.IV.A/C/E | | Steep Turns | PA.V.A.S1-S5 | | Power-on Stalls (turning and not) | PA.VII.A.S1-S5 | | Power-off Stalls (turning and not) | PA.VII.B.S1-S11 | | Emergency Descent | PA.IX.A.S1-S8 | | Sim Emergency/Engine Out Approach & Landing | PA.IX.B.S1-S6 | | Choice of Performance Approach & Landing | PA.IV.B/D/F | ### Sequence E: Ground Reference Maneuvers | Task | ACS Code | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------ | | Choice of Performance Takeoff & Climb | PA.IV.A/C/E | | Ground Reference Maneuvers^[S-Turns; Turns Around a Point (left turns); Rect Course] | PA.V.B.S1-S7 | | Choice of Performance Approach & Landing | PA.IV.B/D/F | ### Sequence F: Unplanned Situations | Task | ACS Code | | ---------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | | Choice of Performance Takeoff & Climb | PA.IV.A/C/E | | Diversion Procedures | PA.VI.C.S1-S6 | | Lost Procedures | PA.VI.D.S1-S5 | | Emergency Procedures (all) | PA.IX.C.S1-S3^[Random choice from K1-K5] | | Choice of Performance Approach & Landing | PA.IV.B/D/F | > [!note] > Excluded from these training sequences are the skills in the Recovery from Unusual Attitudes task (PA.VIII.E.S1-S2) as these require the presence of a CFI. > [!important] Thank you to Michael Stricklen for compiling this practice flow. *Return to [[~ PPL Lesson Plan Outline|Table of Contents]]^*