Archive for August, 2017

Private Pilot Checkride Aug 2017

Thursday, August 24th, 2017

Ground portion:

He asked the applicant to confirm that you are familiar with the following:

Airman  Certification  Standards (PTS/ACS) document and concept?

How the ACS is to be utilized by the Applicant/Instructor/DPE?

The 6 items associated with Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM)?  

Harry’s note: Here is what the Private Pilot ACS says about SRM – In assessing the applicant’s performance, the evaluator should take note of the applicant’s use of CRM and, if appropriate, SRM. CRM/SRM is the set of competencies that includes situational awareness, communication skills, teamwork, task allocation, and decision-making within a comprehensive framework of standard operating procedures (SOP). SRM specifically refers to the management of all resources onboard the aircraft as well as outside resources available to the single pilot. Deficiencies in CRM/SRM almost always contribute to the unsatisfactory performance of a Task. While evaluation of CRM/SRM may appear to be somewhat subjective, the evaluator should use the risk management elements of the given Task(s) to determine whether the applicant’s performance of the Task(s) demonstrates both understanding and application of the associated risk management elements

Be very familiar with the FAR/AIM.  Know the different sections and what is in each: Part 67, Part 61, Part 91, etc.

Weight and balance, including zero fuel weight, takeoff weight, landing weight, full fuel weight.

Class E airspace and Class G airspace including VFR weather minimums.  Know about Class E airspace that starts at the surface.  Know about Class E airspace extensions.

Engine operations including; number of spark plugs, number of cylinders, how fuel gets to the engine, what happens if the fuel vent gets clogged.

Carb heat; how it works, when to use it, know when you may get carb ice.

Flight instruments including; gyro instruments, pitot instruments, static instruments.

AVIATE acronym for inspections required on the aircraft:

A- Annual inspection – 12 calendar months.

V – VORs (30 days)

I – 100 hour (if used for hire)

A – Altimeter & Pitot/Static (24 calendar months)

T – Transponder (24 calendar months)

E – ELT (12 Calendar mo., 1/2 life battery date, 1 Hr. cumulative use)

The 5 P’s:

A helpful way for a pilot to assess his or her situation as a single pilot is to utilize the concept of the 5 P’s, which is a practical way for the pilot to analyze the risks associated with the elements of a flight.

  • Plan – The pilot should accomplish all preflight planning, and be prepared to adjust the flight plan as necessary during the flight. The plan also involves circumstances surrounding the flight planning process, like gathering weather information and assessing the route.
  • Plane – The airplane is obviously a significant element of the flight, and the pilot should asses the risks associated with inoperative equipment and the general shape of the airplane.
  • Pilot – The pilot should assess himself with a risk assessment checklist and the I’M SAFE checklist, but should also assess his currency and proficiency, as well as the conditions of the flight in relation to his abilities and his personal minimums.
  • Passengers – Passengers can present challenges like illness, fear, discomfort and distractions. It’s best for a pilot to plan for passenger challenges ahead of time, like providing them each with water and sick sacks, and briefing them about what will occur.
  • Programming- Advanced avionics must be understood completely and programmed correctly.

By assessing each of these items and the variables involved, a pilot can more discover and mitigate risks, and make knowledgeable decisions on the spot.

The 5 Cs:

Confess

Climb

Conserve

Communicate

Comply

Know the PAVE checklist:

Personal

Personal minimums will include pilot health and experience and can be evaluated in depth with the I’M SAFE checklist. How many hours of sleep do you usually need to function well? Are you healthy? Have you battled any illness or are you on any medications? How much flight experience do you have in the aircraft you’re about to fly? How many hours have you flown in the past week/month/year? Are you rusty? Stressed? All of these factors can affect your flight.

Aircraft

Is the aircraft airworthy? Did it undergo any inspections recently? Do you have the fuel necessary? Are you comfortable with the weight and balance and performance for the flight?

Do you know the aircraft limitations? Do you have current charts? Is the GPS up-to-date?

EnVironment 

What’s the weather like? Are you comfortable and experienced enough to fly in the forecast weather conditions? Have you considered all your options and left yourself an “out”? Are you instrument-current? Are you comfortable with the type of approaches available to you? Did you check PIREPs and NOTAMs? Are you at comfortable flying in busy airspace or on edge about the air traffic control situation? Does the aircraft have heat or air conditioning? Are you familiar with the terrain?

External Pressures

Are you stressed or anxious? Is this a flight that will cause you to be stressed or anxious? Is there pressure to get to your destination quickly? Do you have a plan B? Are you dealing with difficult passengers or an unhealthy safety culture?

Are you being honest with yourself and others about your pilot abilities and limitations?

 

Know the IMSAFE checklist:

I

Illness

Do I have an illness or any symptoms of an illness?
M

Medication

Have I been taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs?
S

Stress

Am I under psychological pressure from the job? Worried about financial matters, health problems or family discord?
A

Alcohol

Have I been drinking within eight hours? Within 24 hours?
F

Fatigue

Am I tired and not adequately rested?
E

Eating

Am I adequately nourished?

Medical requirements and are you fit to fly. How long the different class medicals are good for.

Runway sings.  He will have you take a FAA online test.  Click here for the test.

Weather including; charts, decision making based on weather.

Emergency procedures

Night VFR instruments and equipment required

Temperature vs performance. Know how to properly use all performance charts/tables.

High altitude flight and hypoxia.

Know the alcohol limits – .04 percent or 8 hours bottle to throttle.

Passenger briefing including asking them about scuba diving & flying and motion sickness.

NTSB – what needs to be reported, how long do you have to file report.

Ferry flight requirements. When would you need a ferry permit.

NASA form or NASA report.

Required placards in aircraft.

Maintenance required. Who is responsible to maintaining aircraft in airworthy condition. Who is responsible for determining if aircraft is airworthy.  Be able to show the required inspections in aircraft log book.

What are the required documents in aircraft and what documents does the pilot have to carry.

Know how to divert to an alternate and why and when.

How to recover from a stall and or spin.

What are the left turning tendencies.

Know the sections of the POH.

Airport rotating beacon colors.

What would happen if the person fueling the aircraft did not put the gas caps on tight or properly.  The low pressure on top of the wing would suck the fuel out.

On an engine failure know your glide distance.

 

 

Flight portion:

Examiner said something about her 2 handed flying.  He said there was nothing in the ACS that said you cannot fly with 2 hands. He had concerns about her doing a go-around – if she could get to the power fast enough.

They did: Turns about a point. Power off 180.  Go around.  Slips to a landing.  Steep turns.  Slow flight.  Engine out to a field.  Stalls power on and off.  Short and soft field takeoffs and landings.  Fly under the hood. Track to a VOR.

 

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Flymall Wheels & Wings August 2017 Newsletter

Tuesday, August 15th, 2017

Welcome to the Kraemer Aviation / Flymall Wheels and Wings August 2017 Newsletter.  Lots of interesting news this month.

Visit Flymall.org for wheels and wings sales, appraisals, resources, events, and more.

This month we’re going to feature some prototype aircraft and other vehicles.  Some only made it to the design stage while others were actually built.

Here is a 1940 Buick Roadmaster Pickup—only one ever made !!

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Here is an interesting Boeing 747 prototype, a Boeing 747 TriJet. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Boeing studied the development of a shorter 747 with three engines, to compete with the smaller L-1011 TriStar and DC-10.  I do not believe any were ever built.

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Click here for a newsletter post Harry did on Chevy Camaro prototypes.

If you’re interested in flying car or roadable aircraft prototypes visit Harry’s flying car page by clicking here.

A recent Facebook post reminded Harry of a place he would sail to in the 1970s, Fort Carroll.  As a young boy Harry would sail several hours in his small sailboat by himself to Fort Carroll to go on the island and explore it.  The fort (now abandoned) was built in the mid 1800s.

 

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Harry was introduced to sailing in the early 1970s. He learned the art of sailing on a 42 foot Ketch similar to the one pictured here.

ketch

 

Enjoy this YouTube video of a tour of Fort Carroll

 

This summer brought us a lot of thunderstorms in the Maryland area. It sure made flight training challenging.  Here is an article (click here for the article) Harry wrote for IFR Refresher a few years ago about a thunderstorm encounter he had while flying a Piper Malibu.  Keep your cool and fly the plane if you find yourself in some serious weather.

Harry & Pat hosted a birthday party (18th birthday) and off to college party for Harry’s student Francesca.  It was complete with an airplane on her cake and fireworks.  Click here for more pictures from the party.  Francesca is off to Embry Riddle and then on to a military fighter pilot career.  Francesca turned 18 in August 2017.

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The day before Francesca’s 18th birthday she passed the flight test for her private pilot certificate.  Here she is holding her temporary certificate.

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Click here for more pictures from her checkride day.

The next day (on her 18th birthday) after passing the test for her private pilot certificate Francesca and Harry flew to KCGE to see the Hawker picnic area, in person, for the first time.  Francesca also earned her complex aircraft endorsement on that flight. Click here for more pictures.

Francesca & Harry with N36777 (Piper Arrow).  Click on each picture for a larger view.

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The Hawker is on display next to the main terminal building.

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Here is Harry and Francesca by the Hawker.

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Here’s Harry at the aircraft.

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Harry was able to get the keys and let Francesca sit in the cockpit of this 1960’s vintage aircraft.

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Francesca and her parents were able to enjoy lunch at the table that Kraemer Aviation donated.

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To read more about the Hawker project use the search box in the newsletter section of the Flymall and search for “Hawker”.

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Click here for more pictures of Francesca’s activities while working at the flight school and earning her private pilot certificate.

CFI Notes: While conducting a checkout flight with one of the new instructors, Harry experienced an alternator failure in a Cessna 182RG.  The first indication of trouble was the low voltage light.  This will get your attention when it comes on.  Next the amp meter was checked and this confirmed that they were running off of the battery.  Being inside the SFRA where a radio and transponder are required it was necessary to take some of the load of off the system to conserve battery life.  It was also decided to put the gear down so it was not necessary to pump it down if the battery ran out of power.  This also ensured that they were able to confirm the gear was down and locked.  In a 182RG the gear needs to be pumped down via a hand pump in the event of loss of electrical power or pump failure.

 

If you’re in the market to purchase an aircraft, car, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle, visit Harry’s Market Watch section of the Flymall.  Harry has pricing data on thousands of vehicles.  For some that have been for sale for a while you can see how the seller has lowered the price such as in this Brevetti MeCart and this Jawa Trike.  Our Market Watch shows offers, asking prices, actual sale prices, appraisal values, and more.  Harry also tracks offers versus sale prices.  Many folks will sell an aircraft or other vehicle for a price lower than their first offer. Don’t make that mistake. Click here for some actual offers versus sale price data.  You’ll see that some of the sale prices are tens of thousands below the first offer.

 

Harry is always eager to introduce young folks to aviation.  In August of 2016 he met this 3 year old girl at the flight school.  She was there to take a discovery flight.  She wanted to be an astronaut and she came dressed in her flight suit for the flight.

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Between now and the end of the year, Harry will be at a few judged shows with some of his vintage 3 wheelers. Click here to view his show schedule. Stop by and say hello if you plan to attend any of these shows.

 

On August 8 2017 Pat’s student Uma did her first solo in N34HD.  Here she is just after her solo landings.

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You may remember Uma from last fall. Her and Pat hit a goose just after takeoff in a Cessna 172.  The goose hit the windshield and parts of the windshield and goose hit Uma.  They had to continue the climb and fly the pattern with a big hole in the windshield.  Click here for the newsletter showing the aircraft and Uma after hitting the goose.  Click here for the newsletter showing the special plaque that Uma received as a Christmas gift.

 

We close this newsletter with one of Harry’s favorite John Lennon quotes: “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”

If you’re a Beatle fan and enjoy reading about The Beatles history, visit our events calendar and select “Beatles” under category.  This is an on-going project by Harry.  Important dates in Beatle history are posted here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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