Interactive Video Tip: Visual Approach Slope Indicators (VASI/PAPI)

Visual approach slope indicators use a combination of white and red lights next to the runway to help pilots verify they are flying the correct approach angle. This week’s video takes a closer look at two types, VASI and PAPI, to show you how they work and what the various indications mean. After watching the video, explore the interactive exercise to experiment with different approach scenarios

Learn more from Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course – Video Training and Test Prep

Sporty's course interactive scenario

Sporty’s courses offer a modern solution for your flight school

dual instruction

Sporty’s courses can be adopted for use under Part 61 or 141.

There are two different sections of the Federal Aviation Regulations governing flight schools and training–Part 61 and Part 141. Both set specific requirements and steps for pilots to earn certifications, but Part 141 is more restrictive in that it requires certification and approval of facilities, aircraft, personnel and training syllabi. As a result of this additional oversight, Part 141-approved syllabi can offer a variety of benefits including reduced training time.

As a student, deciding which regulatory requirements to train under may be confusing at first, but don’t let it scare you. No matter your path, you will be able to earn a certificate or rating so it’s best to choose a flight school and instructor that offers your best likelihood for success. As a student, see these additional resources for more guidance on choosing a training program:

advisory circular

AC 141-1B contains Part 141 training requirements.

While Sporty’s courses are the perfect fit for a Part 61 taining program, if you are an instructor or flight school operator, or a student who would prefer to train under Part 141, Sporty’s courses also provide a modern, comprehensive Part 141 training solution. The requirements for Part 141 certification are contained within the regulations and further detail and guidance is provided in Advisory Circular 141-1B (Part 141 Pilot Schools, Application, Certification, and Compliance). Applicants for Part 141 certification are encouraged to consider the training course outline (TCO) and syllabus requirements at the time that a formal application is made to the FAA for Part 141 approval.

The TCO describes the content of a particular course by statement of objectives, description of teaching aids, definition of evaluative criteria, indication of desired outcomes, and duties and responsibilities of chief instructor and other personnel. Much of the content within the TCO will be unique to a particular flight school, but Sporty’s can also provide sample TCO content to help get you started.

syllabus

The syllabus is an outline and summary of the topics to be covered in a training course.

The syllabus is an outline and summary of the topics to be covered in a training course.  As the applicant, you’ll have to decide whether to develop and submit your own syllabus, or utilize a commercially produced syllabus like those available from Sporty’s. Each syllabus under Part 141 should use a “building block” progression of learning, with provisions for regular review and evaluation at prescribed stages. The training syllabus should also contain a description of the stage checks and end-of course tests used to measure a student’s proficiency at each stage of training. At a minimum, the training syllabus must include:

  • prerequisites for enrolling in the ground and flight portion of the course, including the pilot certificate and rating (if required by this part), training, pilot experience, and pilot knowledge.
  • detailed description of each lesson, including the lesson’s objectives, standards, and planned time for completion.
  • description of what the course is expected to accomplish with regard to student learning.
  • expected accomplishments and the standards for each stage of training.
  • description of the checks, stage exams, and end-of-course exams to be used to measure a student’s accomplishments for each stage of training.

The regulations require a TCO to contain a syllabus as a component, but it does not state that the syllabus must be physically included in the TCO. The syllabus may be included as a chapter or an appendix. Part 141 pilot schools using a commercially produced syllabus may provide a copy in the TCO itself or simply refer to the syllabus by name and current version identification number which makes integration very easy.

Clearly, developing a syllabus from scratch can be a daunting task which is why the FAA encourages applicants to utilize a commercially available syllabus. In addition to providing a syllabus that meets all FAA Part 141 requirements, Sporty’s complete training solution offers award-winning video-based content that can be applied to your Part 141 training. More than 15 hours of engaging 4K video, sophisticated animations and interactive exercises explain everything a pilot needs to know to earn a certificate and feel confident in the pilot’s seat. Combine that with powerful test prep tools, a comprehensive document library, and convenient app options, and you have aviation’s most desired and complete training course.

In addition to the meeting the Part 141 requirements, Sporty’s individual lessons include additional study areas that reference student to the related video-based content. A helpful Ground Lesson tracking feature for allows instructors to see the video watch status of any videos listed as Additional Study in a Ground Lesson.What’s more is that a record of training can be generated from the online course and included with the official Part 141 training record.

As an Instructor, Chief Instructor or Manager, you may also access a variety of management features within Sporty’s CFI portal. CFIs can track a student’s course progress within the portal including videos watched and practice test results. The Chief or Manager feature allows a member of a flight school to see all of the instructors within the organization as well as all students connected to those CFIs.

progress sharing

Progress sharing allows instructors to monitor student progress.

Here is why pilots prefer the Sporty’s training experience:

  • Ten platforms, one price – use Sporty’s dedicated mobile apps for iPad, iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV, which allow you to download videos for offline viewing.
apps

Sporty’s dedicated mobile apps for iPad, iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV allow you to download videos for offline viewing.

  • Get your written test endorsement – when you complete the course, you’ll earn the flight instructor endorsement to take the written test—instantly!
  • Pass all your tests—guaranteed! Sporty’s course is so complete you’re guaranteed to pass. Plus, the included Airman Certification Standards Study Guide cross-references every required task to the videos, making it easy to review for the checkride.
  • Dynamic in-flight video – Sporty’s courses are famous for their 4K video and 3D animations. Not a boring ground school, you’re on the flight deck for a real world look at what flying is all about.
video animation

Sporty’s courses are famous for their 4K video and 3D animations.

  • 32 fully-narrated HD maneuvers – in addition to the comprehensive video segments, Sporty’s courses include a detailed maneuvers guide in text and animated formats.
  • Powerful test prep tools – ace the written test with Sporty’s interactive tools. Students can create unlimited study sessions from Sporty’s proprietary database of over 1,000 FAA test questions missed.
test prep

Study individual groups of questions with real time feedback and detailed answer explanations.

  • Ask a CFI – If you’re stumped by a difficult subject, talk to the experienced flight instructors at Sporty’s with just the click of a “Ask a CFI” button to send a message.
  • FAA resource library including up-to-date FARs – everything from the current aviation regulations (FARs) to the AIM, advisory circulars, handbooks and more is available free in the extensive resource library.

  • Complete training syllabus – Sporty’s courses include a syllabus with detailed outlines for both ground and flight lessons. Think of it as a bridge between your at-home study and flight training.
  • Free lifetime updates – students gain access to a training platform that’s always up to date and always improving. There’s no additional fee or subscription to receive these updates.

Want to learn more?

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Contact us directly for more information.

March 2024 test question update from Sporty’s

Sporty’s recently released its March written test question update in its 2024 Learn to Fly Course test preparation module. While the FAA does not publish actual test questions, representative test questions are available, and new questions released by Sporty’s represent emphasis areas which you will likely enounter on the test.

The FAA continues to add new questions based on guidance from the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards. Read the complete March 2024 update here.

The January test question update is available here.

The December test question update is available here.

And test your knowledge now by taking this quiz, sampling the new questions just released.

When operating under BasicMed, where do you need to retain a copy of the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC)?
Correct! Wrong!
What is the most hazardous wind condition when taxiing a tricycle gear airplane?
Correct! Wrong!
What are the reporting requirements for a pilot convicted of possessing and selling marijuana?
Correct! Wrong!
What is the difference between a normal landing and a crosswind landing?
Correct! Wrong!
What is likely to occur if you lift off the runway before reaching rotation speed due to ground effect?
Correct! Wrong!

Share the quiz to show your results !


Just tell us who you are to view your results !

Sporty's written test question update (bis) (bis) You got out of 5 right!

 

Video tip: power-off stalls

This week’s tip, from Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course, covers a topic that all pilots need to know: power-off stalls. Learn how to practice them the right way, and how the location of the center of gravity (CG) affects stall speed.

Learn more from Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course – Video Training and Test Prep

 

landings

FAA introduces new runway safety technology for controllers

FINAL

ARV provides controllers with visual and audible alerts if an approaching aircraft is lined up to land on the wrong airport surface, or even the wrong airport.

The FAA recently announced the launch of a new surface safety tool, called Approach Runway Verification (ARV), at air traffic control towers across the nation to improve safety at airports.

ARV provides controllers with visual and audible alerts if an approaching aircraft is lined up to land on the wrong airport surface, or even the wrong airport.

ARV is currently installed the following facilities:

  • Austin (AUS)
  • Lincoln Tower (LNK)
  • Elton Hensley (FTT)
  • Lansing (LAN)
  • DuPage (DPA)
  • Chicago Executive (PWK)
  • Tallahassee (TLH)
  • Cedar Rapids (CID)
  • Branson West Municipal (FWB)
  • Gerald Ford International (GRR)
  • Elkhart Municipal (EKM)
  • South Bend (SBN)
  • M. Graham Clark Downtown Airport (PLK)

ARV will be deployed at other facilities across the US throughout the rest of the year and into 2025.

Normal Landings – HD Flight Maneuver Spotlight

Welcome to the latest edition of the Flight Maneuver Spotlight series. Here we’ll highlight the various maneuvers you’ll practice during your flight training and be expected to demonstrate during your private pilot checkride.

Each maneuver is part of Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course and includes a narrated video animation, along with step-by-step instructions that include performance standards and common errors. Study them while on the ground or print them for quick reference in the airplane.

These step-by-step instructions are from Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course, which includes over 15 hours of HD video that demonstrates how to fly each maneuver, along with complete FAA test prep features.