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Integrating Written Test Prep in Your Flight Training

February 18, 2013/in Uncategorized/by studentpltnews

Flight Training Regulations

February 8, 2013/in Regulations/by studentpltnews

Flight training, as you might expect, is a highly regulated activity. Flight instructors must be trained and certificated to a specific level. Flight schools can fall under further regulatory requirements. Most airport personnel having contact with students and the students themselves fall under regulations defined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). As a budding student […]

Integrating Written Test Prep in Your Flight Training

February 18, 2013/in Uncategorized/by studentpltnews

Flight Training Regulations

February 8, 2013/in Regulations/by studentpltnews

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Integrating Written Test Prep in Your Flight Training

February 18, 2013/in Uncategorized/by studentpltnews

As I’m sure you’re aware, your pilot certification is a multi-step process that will include a written testing component – similar to earning your driver’s license. The purpose of the written test is to establish that you’ve obtained a satisfactory base level of knowledge before you can embark on a practical exam (oral and flight exam) required for certification. Other purposes of the knowledge test are to identify deficient knowledge areas requiring additional training and so that the FAA has the opportunity to communicate what is most important via the test.

While FAA appears to be taking much needed steps in correcting significant short-comings of the written test, an unfortunate development in written testing, due to substantial budget constraints (among other reasons), is a written test that is disconnected from how we fly and train.

Exaggerating the apparent disconnect is an inflexible written test delivery vehicle that only allows for one type of multiple choice question and the lack of a written testing standard. The sad reality being that you may very well be asked to answer questions on a written test that reference outdated or incorrect information or tests information in a confusing and/or illogical manner. Some questions may require you to regurgitate obscure or trivial knowledge. And some performance-based questions may require impractical interpolations. While we can hope that the future will bring a better correlation between airman testing and training, we’re not there yet. So right or wrong, you’ll need to be prepared – and proper preparation should include a dedicated written testing component.

While not recommended as a stand-alone resource, a quality, written-test preparation program, as you’ll find in Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, has great educational value and helps round-out your training arsenal. It allows you to digest information from a multitude of sources down to what is most important for your certifying exam. Complete and accurate explanations to accompany written test questions are also a vital component that will help make for a powerful learning experience.

Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, available in DVD, online or as a dedicated app for iPad/iPhone, features a robust, customizable test preparation tool with three Modes of operation. Learning Mode is used to select specific areas of study or to study a random mix of questions. Test Mode will provide a random mix of question to provide a simulated exam. Finally, Flashcard Mode will allow you to answer questions without seeing any answer choices in a self-graded environment.

First time users would be wise to utilize Learning Mode first which will allow you to study the knowledge test questions by topic and identify your weaker areas. Once a question is answered, it is graded immediately. The correct answer is noted in green and incorrect answers in red for a quick visual cue of your progress. Explanations are displayed with all answer choices and it’s wise to read and understand each explanation to help reinforce important concepts. You can begin this study following the completion of your core video training or after completing specific training segments or volumes on related topics.

Once you’ve self-identified your weaker areas of knowledge, you can now build Learning Mode sessions to focus only on those areas for more efficient preparation. Your progress is continuously tracked with your number of correctly answered questions and a score relative to the number of answered questions. Once you’ve completed the study session, use the “Grade Session” feature for a score and the “Review Explanations” feature to review why questions were missed.

Flashcard Mode is similar to Learning Mode in that it allows you to study the knowledge test questions by topic and identify your weaker areas, but does not show answer choices to your questions. As with flashcards, the goal is to answer the question mentally and then display the answer to determine whether you’ve answered the question correctly. Depending on your learning style, you may choose to utilize Flashcard Mode as an alternative to Learning Mode and ONLY focus on correct responses or you may choose to graduate to Flashcard Mode to further test and correct weaker knowledge areas.

Regardless of your first experience with Flashcard Mode, it’s also beneficial as a cumulative check just prior to your actual FAA written exam by choosing a random mix of questions and focusing on correct responses. Just as in Learning Mode, your progress is continuously tracked. Once you have completed the study session, also grade your session and review explanations.

As you might expect, Test Mode functions just like a real exam. There is a time limit imposed that matches the actual FAA exam and you are given a random mix of questions for that also mimics the real exam. Once you have completed a test session, use the “Grade Test” button for a score and to “Review Explanations.” The Review Explanations option will return you to your same test session. Each test session is recorded in a separate Progress Reports tab so that you can always reference your progress or share your progress with an instructor.

As I hope is evident, a dedicated test preparation tool utilized correctly and responsibly has tremendous learning value and the more customization options, the better.

Flight Training Regulations

February 8, 2013/in Regulations/by studentpltnews

As a budding student pilot, it is highly recommended that you check out a number of local flight schools and interview potential flight instructors. Some areas of the country will have more options than others. As you talk to flight school operators and instructors, some regulatory terms may be brought up in an effort to sway your decision. Be forewarned and forearmed by understanding the basics.

Part 61 vs Part 141

When a flight school talks about training under Part 61 or being a Part 141 approved school, they are talking about the Federal regulations (14 CFR) under which they have the authority to train pilots. Both sets of regulations define minimum requirements for pilot training and certification.

Of the entry level certificates, you can obtain a Recreational or a Private certificate under either set of regulations. Part 141 does not provide provisions for the Sport pilot certificate, therefore, training for this certificate is done under Part 61.

Any FAA approved flight instructor, whether associated with a flight school or not, may train a student under Part 61 regulations.

Part 141 regulations are related to the structure and approval of flight schools. Training under Part 141 regulations is only permitted by instructors associated with an FAA approved flight school. In order to become approved, a flight school must meet certain requirements and submit each curriculum it wishes to have approved to the FAA for review. Part 141 approved schools are subject to regular surveillance audits by the FAA and must meet minimum pass rates for the practical exams.

Both methods of flight training require the student to meet the same standard of performance in order to obtain a pilot certificate. Where the methods differ is in rigidity and in some minimum requirements.

Ultimately, the way a student learns and his or her long term goals may be the best criteria for deciding the regulations under which to train. After making that determination, the student needs to find the best fit amongst the choices within the preferred regulations. Both excellent and inferior flight instruction may be found under both sets of regulations.

The table below describes some of the potential advantages and disadvantages for the training regulations. It may be noted that some criteria can be both, depending on the student’s training goals.

Regulation	Potential Advantages	Potential Disadvantages
Part 61	More flexible training environment. This may allow the instructor to modify his or her program to meet the student’s desires and goals. Better for part-time students pursuing flight training on a less regular schedule. Student can interview and choose the flight instructor that fits best.	Less structured training environment. May require more flight training hours. May be fewer instructors to choose from at a given airport. Truly “independent” flight instructors may be difficult to find for a new student unless they have a referral.
Part 141	More structured training environment. Better for full time, career oriented students. Good students may be able to complete certificates in fewer hours if the school’s curriculum has been approved for this.	May be too rigid for students not planning to pursue an aviation career. Faster pace may overwhelm some students. School may not always provide the student with a choice on instructor assignment. That being said, better schools will allow an instructor change if there is a mismatch. May not be available at local airport.

TSA’s Alien Flight Student Program

As a result of the attacks on 9/11/2001, the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA developed a set of regulations intended to decrease the chances of flight schools in the United States training would-be terrorists.

As a new flight student, these regulations will require you to prove your U.S. citizenship prior to starting flight training. You can do this with an unexpired U.S. passport or the combination of your birth certificate and an approved government issued photo ID like your driver’s license. As long as you are a U.S. citizen and can prove it, this regulation requires little additional from you.

“Alien” students must submit to finger printing and a background check prior to beginning flight training. A good place for non-U.S. citizens to start is with a review of the TSA’s www.flightschoolcandidates.gov. You can also find a clearer explanation on the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) website at www.aopa.org/tsa_rule/.

Conclusion

As a bird’s eye view, these regulations should get you through the selection of you flight training provider. Once you get into your training, your instructor will have broader and more detailed regulations for you to learn.

If you would like to review more details on the regulations, you can check them out online.

Happy flight training!

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Integrating Written Test Prep in Your Flight Training

Flight Training Regulations

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Flight Training Regulations

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Integrating Written Test Prep in Your Flight Training

Flight Training Regulations

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