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Updated Private and Commercial Airman Certification Standards

June 13, 2017/in Regulations, Tips and technique/by Studentpltnews

Effective June 12, 2017 – Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course updated FAA recently announced changes to the evaluation standards for slow flight and certain stall tasks in the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and the Commercial Pilot ACS effective June 12. Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course now includes the most recent ACS version. […]

4 options for exercising your freedom to fly

June 12, 2017/in Having fun, Personal stories/by Studentpltnews

For most people here in the USA, the Fourth of July is a celebration of freedom. While there is nothing wrong with grilling, fireworks, and a long weekend in the middle of summer, it is also important to remember that our freedoms are not free. First and foremost, let’s say thank you to the many […]

Updated Private and Commercial Airman Certification Standards

June 13, 2017/in Regulations, Tips and technique/by Studentpltnews

4 options for exercising your freedom to fly

June 12, 2017/in Having fun, Personal stories/by Studentpltnews

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Updated Private and Commercial Airman Certification Standards

June 13, 2017/in Regulations, Tips and technique/by Studentpltnews

Effective June 12, 2017 – Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course updated

FAA recently announced changes to the evaluation standards for slow flight and certain stall tasks in the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and the Commercial Pilot ACS effective June 12. Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course now includes the most recent ACS version.

Slow Flight – FAA maintains that the desired slow flight characteristics can be experienced without intentionally flying the airplane with the stall warning and asserts it would not be appropriate for a pilot to fly the aircraft with the stall warning present and therefore, applicants should not be evaluated in this condition.

The phrasing for the slow flight skill element has been modified to eliminate the specific speed guidance of 5-10 knots above stall speed to read as follows:

Establish and maintain an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power, would result in a stall warning (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).

Stalls – To capture the essential components in the evaluation standards, the FAA has modified the knowledge elements for the stall tasks. In addition, the agency has revised the risk management elements for the stall tasks to focus on key considerations for stall prevention and full stalls.

Private Pilot – Airplane ACS, Power-Off & Power-On Stalls. FAA has added a requirement for the applicant to acknowledge the initial indication of an impending stall. The pilot could meet this requirement by simply stating “stall warning” or “buffet.” The element now reads:

Acknowledge cues of the impending stall and then recover promptly after a full stall has occurred.

The FAA emphasizes that as the pilot transitions from the initial indication and acknowledgement of the impending stall, the flight control applications should be smooth and coordinated – not abrupt or rushed – until a full stall is reached and throughout the stall recovery.

Commercial Pilot – Airplane ACS, Power-Off & Power-On Stalls. The FAA has maintained the requirement for stall recovery procedures to be executed at the first indication of an impending stall (e.g., buffet, stall horn, etc.); however, has modified the skill element as shown below to require the applicant to acknowledge the impending stall cues. The element now reads:

Acknowledge the cues and recover promptly at the first indication of an impending stall (e.g., aircraft buffet, stall horn, etc.).

Current versions of the ACS are available at:

https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/

4 options for exercising your freedom to fly

June 12, 2017/in Having fun, Personal stories/by Studentpltnews

We aviators have benefited greatly from our freedoms. Take one quick look around at many of our international counterparts and you will realize that our open skies and plentiful airports are not very common in most of the world. Show your appreciation by exercising your freedom to fly.

Fly to breakfast. There are few things I enjoy more than taking off on a crisp morning to watch the sunrise as we fly off to a neighboring airport for biscuits and gravy. My two personal favorites are the Airport Cafe in Urbana (I74), Ohio, and the Skyline Family Restaurant in Portsmouth (PMH), Ohio. You’ll find friendly faces, cheap fare, and delicious food wherever you may roam.
Fly kids. Seeing the smile on a kids face on their first flight will warm your heart. Give them a memory that will last a lifetime. I still remember my first flight and you probably remember yours. Whether it is through the young eagles program or just some friends, get some kids in the air this summer. Not sure if you are qualified to fly kids? Check out our blog on Top 5 Questions and Answers for flying with youth.
Fly for a weekend getaway. What good is a pilot’s license if you don’t use it. There are tons of adventures out there within a couple hours of flight time from your home airport. Go find one and create your next “Remember that time…” story. Looking for some good ideas? Adventurepilot.com has a great database of stuff near you or along your route of flight. A couple of my personal favorites are Rough River State Park in Kentucky (2I3) and Put-In-Bay near Sandusky Ohio (3W2). Both offer convenient options for planes and pilots.
Fly to a Fly-In. You have a pilot’s license. Fly-Ins are held at airports. Coincidence? I think not. Make it a point to experience aviation at its finest. Even if you can’t make it to the granddaddy of them all: Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, try to make it to a regional fly-in or at least a pancake breakfast. For a list of Fly-ins, check out socialflight.com.

Make it a point this summer to get out and exercise your freedom to fly. Every flight is another celebration of the freedoms that we so proudly enjoy.

A special thank you to all of the military aviators out there. May your landings always equal your takeoffs.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Updated Private and Commercial Airman Certification Standards

4 options for exercising your freedom to fly

Updated Private and Commercial Airman Certification Standards

4 options for exercising your freedom to fly

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Updated Private and Commercial Airman Certification Standards

Effective June 12, 2017 – Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course updated

4 options for exercising your freedom to fly

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