Student Pilot Toolbag

Skills - rate how you're doing

▸Preflight assessment
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Confirm airworthiness — required inspections (annual, ADs) current and required documents aboard.
2. Note the airplane's general condition on approach — damage, misalignment, fuel/oil stains.
3. Check the cabin — doors, seats/rails, belts/harnesses; set switches, controls, trim, breakers for inspection.
4. Master ON: check fuel quantity, gauges, lights, flight instruments; master OFF.
5. Walk around per the POH sequence — wings, tail, fuselage, control surfaces, attach points.
6. Check fuel quantity/grade/quality — sump each drain for water; check oil; secure caps.
7. Inspect gear, tires, brakes, struts; then engine, prop, spinner, cowling for leaks/security.
▸Flight deck management
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Adjust and lock the seat; secure belt and shoulder harness before starting.
2. Stow and secure loose items so nothing can jam the controls.
3. Organize charts, checklists, and equipment within reach, in order of use.
4. Brief occupants on seatbelts, doors, and sterile-cockpit expectations.
5. Confirm doors and windows latched.
6. Set radios, avionics, and instruments for the phase of flight.
▸Engine starting
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Confirm the ramp ahead and behind is clear of people, equipment, and hazards.
2. Anti-collision lights ON (position lights ON at night).
3. Set fuel, mixture, throttle, and switches to the start configuration.
4. Hold brakes, hand on throttle, call "CLEAR," and wait for a response.
5. Engage the starter — crank no more than 30 seconds, then let it cool before retrying.
6. After start, set ~1,000 rpm to warm up.
7. Confirm oil pressure rises within 30 seconds — shut down immediately if it doesn't.
▸Taxiing
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Have the airport diagram out and review the full taxi route before moving.
2. Test the brakes as soon as the airplane begins to roll.
3. Steer with the rudder pedals (nosewheel); use power/brakes only to control speed.
4. Keep speed slow — throttle to idle before braking, so closing the throttle stops you promptly.
5. Keep centered on the taxiway line; scan near and far for traffic and obstructions.
6. Slow before turns to avoid side loads or a ground loop.
7. Set ailerons for the wind — quartering headwind: upwind aileron up; quartering tailwind: upwind aileron down, elevator down.
▸Before takeoff check
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Position into the wind on a firm, clear surface, away from other aircraft.
2. Roll forward slightly to straighten the nosewheel, then set the brakes.
3. Confirm oil temp/pressure in the normal range before applying high power.
4. Run up to the specified rpm; check magnetos, carb heat, and engine instruments.
5. Cycle the propeller; check ammeter/alternator and suction/vacuum as applicable.
6. Set controls, trim, flaps, fuel selector, mixture, and avionics for takeoff.
7. Check flight controls free and correct; complete the before-takeoff checklist.

Words for this area

0 of 182 words cleared · Open this area

Airport Operations

2 maneuvers · 190 words

Skills - rate how you're doing

Communications, light signals and runway lighting
▸Traffic patterns
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Determine the runway, pattern direction/altitude; monitor CTAF; report ~10 miles out.
2. Enter downwind on a 45° angle at pattern altitude, aimed abeam the runway midpoint.
3. Fly downwind parallel to the runway ~½–1 mile out; complete before-landing checks and extend gear.
4. Abeam the approach end, reduce power and begin the descent; ~45° past the runway end, turn base.
5. On base, descend on a track perpendicular to the centerline, correcting for drift; check final before turning.
6. Turn final and fly a stabilized descent to the touchdown point.
7. Go around any time the approach is unsafe or the runway isn't clearly yours.

Words for this area

0 of 190 words cleared · Open this area

Takeoffs, Landings & Go-Arounds

8 maneuvers · 174 words

Skills - rate how you're doing

▸Normal takeoff and climb
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Line up on centerline, release brakes, advance throttle smoothly to takeoff power.
2. Use rudder to track straight down the centerline, anticipating the left-turning tendency.
3. Keep hands light, feet off brakes; let airspeed build.
4. As controls become effective, apply smooth back-elevator to rotate to the takeoff attitude and lift off.
5. Hold pitch for Vy, level the wings, stay coordinated on the extended centerline.
6. With a positive rate confirmed, retract flaps/gear if equipped.
7. Hold takeoff power to ≥500 ft, then set climb power, trim, and hold Vy.
▸Normal approach and landing
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. On base, complete before-landing checklist, reduce power, descend at ~1.4 Vso with drift correction.
2. Roll onto final, align with centerline, set final flaps, stabilize at ~1.3 Vso, re-trim.
3. Control descent angle with pitch and power together to track the aiming point — never stretch the glide with elevator alone.
4. At 10–20 ft, begin the roundout with gradual back-elevator to arrest the descent.
5. Hold the wheels just off the runway; increase back pressure so the mains touch first at/near stall speed.
6. Hold back-elevator for aerodynamic braking; lower the nose-wheel as speed decreases.
7. Maintain directional control; brake smoothly once the nose-wheel is down.
▸Soft-field takeoff and climb
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Set flaps as recommended; taxi onto the surface with continuous motion (never stop).
2. Apply takeoff power smoothly, holding back-elevator to unload the nose-wheel.
3. Hold the nose-high attitude so the airplane flies itself off at low speed in ground effect.
4. After lift-off, gently lower the nose to stay in ground effect and accelerate.
5. Hold in ground effect until at least Vx (or obstacle-clearance speed).
6. Climb at Vx to clear obstacles, then lower the nose to Vy.
7. With positive rate and Vy, retract gear/flaps and set normal climb power.
▸Soft-field approach and landing
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Fly a normal approach at the recommended speed with flaps as recommended; avoid excess speed.
2. Level off and fly 1–2 ft above the surface in ground effect, carrying some power.
3. Hold a nose-high attitude; touch down at the lowest possible airspeed with wings still carrying weight.
4. After the mains touch, hold back-elevator to keep the nose-wheel off.
5. Use back pressure and power together to control the weight transfer.
6. Gently lower the nose-wheel, adding a little power to ease it down.
7. Avoid braking — let the soft surface slow the airplane; keep it moving to avoid getting stuck.
▸Short-field takeoff and maximum performance climb
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Set recommended flaps; taxi to the very beginning of usable runway, aligned.
2. Hold brakes, apply full power, confirm engine instruments.
3. Release brakes; accelerate on all wheels in a low-drag attitude.
4. At Vx, rotate smoothly to the Vx attitude for a positive lift-off.
5. Hold Vx wings-level until obstacles are cleared (or to ≥50 ft).
6. Lower pitch to accelerate to Vy; continue climb.
7. Retract flaps (in increments) and gear, set normal climb power.
▸Short-field approach and landing
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Set up a stabilized final from ≥500 ft with the flap setting before full.
2. When the field is made, extend full flaps and hold airspeed to keep the aiming point stationary.
3. Fly to the aiming point at ≤1.3 Vso, adjusting pitch and power together.
4. Judge the roundout accurately from the steeper angle — minimal float confirms correct speed.
5. Touch down at minimum controllable airspeed in the power-off-stall attitude.
6. Hold the positive pitch attitude for aerodynamic braking.
7. On lowering the nose-wheel, apply maximum braking (stick back) to stop in the shortest safe distance.
▸Power-off 180° accuracy approach and landing
How this maneuver goes - in the handbook's own words
When abreast of or opposite the desired landing spot, the throttle is closed and altitude maintained while decelerating to the manufacturer's recommended glide speed or 1.4 VSO. The point at which the throttle is closed is the downwind key position.
The turn from the downwind leg to the base leg is a uniform turn with a medium or slightly steeper bank. The degree of bank and amount of this initial turn depend upon the glide angle of the airplane and the velocity and direction of the wind. Again, the base leg is positioned as needed for the altitude or wind condition. Position the base leg to conserve or dissipate altitude so as to reach the desired landing spot.
The turn onto the base leg is made at an altitude high enough and close enough to permit the airplane to glide to what would normally be the base key position in a 90° power-off approach. Initial flaps may be extended prior to the base key position if needed.
Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 9 — Power-Off Accuracy Approaches
▸Go-around / rejected landing
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Recognize the condition and decide without delay.
2. Apply full/maximum allowable power smoothly (carb heat off as applicable).
3. Apply forward pressure for a safe pitch attitude against the nose-up tendency; right rudder for torque/P-factor.
4. Rough-trim once a climb attitude and airspeed are established.
5. Retract flaps in small increments (to takeoff position), letting the airplane accelerate.
6. With a positive rate established, retract the gear.
7. Account for ground effect on a low go-around — don't try to climb out prematurely.

You’re training single-engine.

Words for this area

0 of 174 words cleared · Open this area

Slow Flight & Stalls

5 maneuvers · 166 words

Skills - rate how you're doing

▸Maneuvering during slow flight
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Clear the area, gradually reduce power, raise pitch to hold altitude as airspeed bleeds off.
2. Near the target (~5–10 kt above stall warning), add power to hold altitude and trim.
3. Configure as required (gear/flaps), anticipating the pitch/AOA change with each change.
4. Hold coordinated flight with steady right rudder; use larger, smoother inputs as the controls go mushy.
5. Practice shallow turns, climbs, descents — add power in turns and counter yaw with rudder.
6. React immediately to any stall warning by relaxing back pressure to lower the AOA.
7. To exit: add power, ease forward to hold altitude as lift builds, clean up, re-trim.
▸Power-off stalls
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Clear the area; set landing configuration; hold altitude until speed slows to approach speed.
2. Pitch to a normal approach descent attitude at idle power.
3. Smoothly raise the nose to induce the stall, wings level and coordinated.
4. Hold pitch until the full stall (uncommanded nose-down that can't be arrested).
5. At the stall, reduce AOA with nose-down elevator until the stall warning stops.
6. Level the wings with aileron, coordinate with rudder (right rudder as power comes in).
7. Smoothly add power, return to the flightpath (or positive-rate go-around), retract flaps/gear, avoid a secondary stall.
▸Power-on stalls
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Clear the area; set takeoff/climb configuration; slow to normal lift-off speed.
2. At lift-off speed, apply takeoff/climb power while rotating into the climb attitude.
3. Raise the nose to increase AOA (elevator progressively aft), adding right rudder to stay coordinated.
4. Hold until the full stall — recognize by sight, sound, feel.
5. At the stall, immediately reduce AOA with nose-down elevator until the warning stops.
6. Level the wings with aileron, coordinate with rudder (right rudder for yaw).
7. Return to the desired flightpath with adequate airspeed and control, avoiding a secondary stall.
▸Accelerated stalls
How this maneuver goes - in the handbook's own words
There are two methods for performing an accelerated stall. The most common accelerated stall procedure starts from straight-and- level flight at an airspeed at or below VA or VO. The pilot rolls the airplane into a coordinated, level-flight 45° turn and then smoothly, firmly, and progressively increase the AOA through back elevator pressure until a stall occurs. Alternatively, the pilot rolls the airplane into a coordinated, level-flight 45° turn at an airspeed above VA or VO. After the airspeed slows to VA or VO, and at an airspeed 5 to 10 percent faster than the unaccelerated stall speed, the pilot progressively increases the AOA through back elevator pressure until a stall occurs. The increased back elevator pressure increases lift and the G load. The G load pushes the pilot's body down in the seat. The increased lift also increases drag, which may cause the airspeed to decrease. The pilot should know the published stall speed for 45° of bank, flaps up, before performing the maneuver. This speed is typically published in the AFM.
An airplane typically stalls during a level, coordinated turn similar to the way it does in wings-level flight, except that the stall buffet can be sharper. If the turn is coordinated at the time of the stall, the airplane's nose pitches away from the pilot just as it does in a wings-level stall since both wings will tend to stall nearly simultaneously. If the airplane is not properly coordinated at the time of stall, the stall behavior may include a change in bank angle until the AOA has been reduced. It is important to take recovery action at the first indication of a stall (if impending stall training/checking) or immediately after the stall has fully developed (if full stall training/checking) by applying forward elevator pressure as required to reduce the AOA and to eliminate the stall warning, level the wings using ailerons, coordinate with rudder, and adjust power as necessary. Stalls that result from abrupt maneuvers tend to be more aggressive than unaccelerated +1G stalls. Because they occur at higher-than-normal airspeeds or may occur at lower-than-anticipated pitch attitudes, they can surprise an inexperienced pilot. Since an accelerated stall may put the airplane in an unexpected attitude. Failure to execute an immediate recovery may result in a spin or other departure from controlled flight.
Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 5 — Accelerated Stalls
▸Spin awareness
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Recognize the setup: stalled wing + yaw (uncoordinated stall), most common in an overshooting base-to-final turn.
2. At the first sign of an approaching stall, prevent yaw and hold coordinated flight — averting yaw prevents the spin.
3. If a spin begins, recognize it by low constant airspeed and rotation; read direction from the turn coordinator, not the ball.
4. Recover at the incipient phase (before 360°): reduce power to idle.
5. Neutralize the ailerons.
6. Apply and hold full rudder opposite the rotation, briskly, until rotation stops.
7. Briskly apply forward elevator to break the stall (don't wait for rotation to stop).
8. When rotation stops, neutralize rudder, then smoothly raise the nose to level flight. `[verify — always follow the manufacturer's spin recovery procedure]`

Words for this area

0 of 166 words cleared · Open this area

Preflight Preparation

Skills - rate how you're doing

Pilot qualifications
Airworthiness requirements
Weather information
Cross-country flight planning
The National Airspace System
Performance and limitations
Operation of systems
Human factors

This area is about doing, not vocabulary - its words live in the ground areas.

High-Altitude Operations

2 maneuvers · 71 words

Skills - rate how you're doing

Supplemental oxygen
Pressurization

Words for this area

0 of 71 words cleared · Open this area

Multiengine Operations

You’re training single-engine. · 4 tasks here are multi-engine only

Words for this area

0 of 134 words cleared · Open this area

Navigation

4 maneuvers · 96 words

Skills - rate how you're doing

▸Pilotage and dead reckoning
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Note the time overhead the departure point and start timing to the first checkpoint.
2. Fly the precomputed heading and hold it steady rather than chasing the ground.
3. Look ahead and positively identify the next prominent checkpoint by its surrounding features.
4. At each checkpoint, note the time, compare to your estimate, and recompute groundspeed.
5. Compare track to the course line; if drifted, turn to re-intercept and add a wind-correction angle.
6. Revise ETE and fuel remaining for the next leg using the new groundspeed.
7. If a checkpoint is missed, hold heading and look for the next one — don't turn to search.
▸Navigation systems and radar services
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Tune the VOR to the selected station's frequency.
2. Identify the station by its Morse/voice ident before relying on it.
3. Rotate the OBS until the CDI centers with a TO indication; turn to that heading.
4. Hold heading, keep the needle centered, add a wind-correction angle (turn toward the needle to re-intercept).
5. Watch for needle fluctuation and a TO→FROM flip to confirm station passage.
6. For GPS, select Direct-To the destination/fix and fly the magenta course line. `[verify GPS unit procedures]`
7. Monitor GPS distance/ETE/cross-track and cross-check against pilotage or VOR — never rely on one system.
▸Diversion
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Recognize the need to divert (weather, malfunction, fuel) and pick the best nearby airport.
2. Turn promptly toward the alternate — in an emergency, divert first and compute en route.
3. If time allows, start the turn over a prominent ground feature for a known starting point.
4. Estimate the magnetic course using a nearby VOR compass rose or a paralleling airway.
5. Note the time; use winds aloft to calculate a heading and groundspeed.
6. Work out arrival time and fuel required; confirm adequate fuel plus reserve.
7. Choose a diversion altitude for terrain, clouds, wind, and reception — and fly the airplane first.
▸Lost procedures
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. **Climb** — to a safe altitude (traffic/weather permitting) to extend radio, nav, and radar range.
2. **Communicate** — call any facility shown on the sectional, or 121.5 if needed.
3. **Confess** — tell ATC you're unsure of position; request vectors or a DF steer; squawk 7700 if an emergency.
4. **Comply** — follow the vectors and instructions given.
5. **Conserve** — set economical power to conserve fuel and extend your options.
6. Fix your position — use VOR/GPS to locate yourself and the nearest airport (read a town name off a water tower if low).

Words for this area

0 of 96 words cleared · Open this area

Emergency Operations

4 maneuvers · 91 words

Skills - rate how you're doing

▸Emergency descent
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Reduce power to idle and set the propeller to low pitch/high rpm as an aerodynamic brake.
2. Roll into a 30–45° bank to hold positive load factor and clear the area below.
3. Extend gear and flaps as the manufacturer recommends for maximum drag.
4. Descend at the maximum airspeed the configuration allows — below Vne, Vle, Vfe (and Va in turbulence).
5. Announce descent intentions on the radio while scanning below for traffic and a landing area.
6. Begin recovery high enough to level off safely or set up a precautionary landing.
▸Emergency approach and landing (simulated)
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Lower the nose, establish best glide speed, and trim for it. `[verify best glide speed for make/model]`
2. Pick the most suitable landing area within gliding range; commit, and change your mind no more than once.
3. Run the engine-failure/restart checklist as time and altitude permit. `[verify against AFM/POH]`
4. Plan the approach around wind, field size/slope, and obstacles, leaving margin rather than stretching the glide.
5. When the landing is assured, add flaps (and gear per POH/terrain); avoid premature flaps that shorten the glide.
6. Before touchdown, shut off fuel, ignition, and master to reduce fire risk (keep master on until no longer needed).
7. Touch down at the lowest controllable airspeed, wings level, sink rate under positive control.
Systems and equipment malfunctions
Emergency equipment and survival gear

You’re training single-engine. · 3 tasks here are multi-engine only

Words for this area

0 of 91 words cleared · Open this area

Performance & Ground Reference Maneuvers

5 maneuvers · 138 words

Skills - rate how you're doing

▸Steep turns
How this maneuver goes - Airplane Flying Handbook
1. Clear the area, pick a rollout reference, establish entry speed at/below Va/Vo.
2. Smoothly roll into a 45°–60° bank.
3. As the bank passes ~30°, add back pressure and power to hold altitude/airspeed.
4. Hold the bank constant with aileron against overbanking; coordinate with rudder.
5. Reference nose and wings to the horizon; small pitch corrections while holding bank.
6. If the nose drops, first shallow the bank, then raise the nose.
7. Lead rollout by ~half the bank angle; reduce back pressure/power to arrive wings-level on heading at altitude.
▸Steep spiral
How this maneuver goes - in the handbook's own words
The steep spiral is initiated by properly clearing the airspace for air traffic and hazards. In general, the throttle is closed to idle, carburetor heat is applied if equipped, and gliding speed is established. Once the proper airspeed is attained, the pitch should be lowered and the airplane rolled to the desired bank angle as the reference point is reached. The pilot should consider the distance from the reference point since that establishes the turning radius, and the steepest bank should not exceed 60°. The gliding spiral should be a turn of constant radius while maintaining the airplane's position relative to the reference. This can only be accomplished by proper correction for wind drift by steepening the bank on downwind headings and shallowing the bank on upwind headings. During the steep spiral, the pilot should continually correct for any changes in wind direction and velocity to maintain a constant radius.
Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 10 — Steep Spiral
▸Chandelles
How this maneuver goes - in the handbook's own words
Prior to starting the chandelle, the flaps and landing gear (if retractable) should be in the UP position. The chandelle is initiated by properly clearing the airspace for air traffic and hazards. The maneuver should be entered from straight-and-level flight or a shallow dive at an airspeed recommended by the manufacturer--in many cases this is the airplane's design maneuvering speed (VA) or operating maneuvering speed (VO). After the appropriate entry airspeed has been established, the chandelle is started by smoothly entering a coordinated turn to the desired angle of bank. Once the bank angle is established, which is generally 30°, a climbing turn should be started by smoothly applying elevator back pressure at a constant rate while simultaneously increasing engine power to the recommended setting. In airplanes with a fixed-pitch propeller, the throttle should be set so as to not exceed rotations per minute (rpm) limitations. In airplanes with constant-speed propellers, power may be set at the normal cruise or climb setting as appropriate.
At the 90° point, the pilot should begin to smoothly roll out of the bank at a constant rate while maintaining the pitch attitude attained at the end of the first 90°. While the angle of bank is fixed during the first 90°, recall that as airspeed decreases, the overbanking tendency increases. As a result, proper use of the ailerons allows the bank to remain at a fixed angle until rollout is begun at the start of the final 90°. As the rollout continues, the vertical component of lift increases. However, as speed continues to decrease, a slight increase of elevator back pressure is required to keep the pitch attitude from decreasing.
Once the airplane is in controlled flight, the pitch attitude may be reduced and the airplane returned to straight-and-level cruise flight.
Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 10 — Chandelle
Lazy eights
Eights on pylons