Obtain the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and familiarize yourself with the items listed below prior to your checkout. (In fact, it would be a good idea for you to read the whole manual.) If you want your own copy of the POH, contact the Secretary-Treasurer and he will lend you one for the duration of your membership.

The club-approved instructor should cover all items and affirm check ride completion using the affirmation form.

New Member Briefing

Ensure the new member has a copy of our Club Policies and Procedures Worksheet. Encourage him to research the answers by examining the Constitution and By-Laws and Operating Procedures.

Aircraft Systems Review

• Electrical system: organization, meaning of alternator meter, recognizing failures, appropriate responses
• Vacuum system: organization, recognizing failures, when and how to use standby vacuum
• Fuel system: organization, kinds of failures, appropriate responses
• Pitot-static system: organization, kinds of failures, appropriate responses

Pre-Flight Briefing

• POH, tachometer log, airworthiness certificate, registration, insurance card, credit card, maintenance logs: locations
• Weight and balance information: where to find it, sample calculations, maximum load with full fuel
• Fuel management: cruise consumption rate, tank switching schedule and procedure
• Airspeeds: Vx, Vy, best glide, flap extension, and approach, stall, and maneuvering speeds for various loads
• Performance: takeoff and landing distance calculations for various loads and various atmospheric conditions
• Flight environment: VFR review of airspace, airports, airways, navigation aids, MTRs, obstructions, etc., 50 NM radius of CZG

Pre-Flight Inspection

Per the POH, especially:

• Oil: type, capacity, operating limits, location of "next change due" information
• Fuel: type, capacity, usable capacity, use of tank dipping tube and fuel sampling glass
• Tires: air pressures
• Propeller and alternator belt: inspection
• Pitot cover and pitot heat
• Exterior lighting
• Use and storage of electric preheater and cowl blanket
• Windshield cleaning: acceptable cleaning compounds, location and use of cleaning supplies

Interior

Location and use of:

• Seat belts and shoulder harnesses
• Seat adjustments
• Light switches
• Air vents, heater, defroster
• Circuit breakers
• Instrumentation, use of clock/timer
• Door latches
• Flap control
• Trims: manual and electric for elevator, manual for rudder
• Throttle, mixture, and throttle/mixture lock
• Fuel tank selector
• Pitot and static drains
• Tow bar and tie-down ropes
• Fire extinguisher

Flight Check

• Use of check list
• POH starting procedure, including use of external power and recovering from a flooded engine
• Normal, short, and soft field takeoffs
• Normal, short, and soft field landings
• Power-off and power-on (departure) stalls
• Slow flight
• Power setting, using chart on visor
• Mixture setting with or without EGT gauge
• Use of avionics: radios, ELT, and autopilot
• Emergency engine restart procedure (response to unexpected in-flight engine stoppage)
• Demonstrate private pilot instrument proficiency (FAR 61.109(a)(3)) to the tolerances specified by the Private Pilot - Airplane Single-Engine Land Practical Test Standards

Post-Flight

• Shutdown procedure, including checking for a transmitting ELT
• Procedure for cleaning and securing of airplane at Tri-Cities
• Procedure for using engine preheater
• Procedure for recording and reporting squawks, including whom to call
• Remote maintenance: if repairs are needed remotely, whom to call
• Procedure for securing airplane at a remote airport

Revised September 12, 2007