Rusty Pilot and BFR Notes

General

• Establish your own personal VFR minimums.
• Defensive VFR Flight Plan - Required in order to cross ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone) line.
• Night:
  • For currency: Defined as 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
  • For logging: Beginning of civil twilight until the end of civil twilight.
• Pilots are required to have ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION concerning a flight before taking off.
• NASA ASRS
  • NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System
  • 14 CFR 91.25 - Self-reported items cannot be used against the pilot.
• Navigation lights determine the right-of-way:
  • Red - Yield.
  • Green - Right-of-way.
• METAR
  • Current observations.
  • Issued every hour.
• TAF
  • Forecast.
  • Issued every 6 hours.
• Look for trends in weather forecasts.
• Request flight following when ready to taxi.
• For non-towered airports:
  • Enter the pattern on a 45° angle on the mid-field downwind leg.
  • Exit the pattern on either a straight out on the runway or a 45° angle.
  • Contact on CTAF at 10 miles out.
• For towered airports:
  • Contact the tower at 10 miles out, unless noted on the charts.
• 122.75: Air-to-Air contact.
• Complex Aircraft - An aircraft with retractable gear, flaps and a constant speed propeller.
• High Performance Aircraft - An aircraft that has an engine with more than 200 horsepower.
• Order of right-of-way:

1. Aircraft in distress.
2. Balloons.
3. Gliders.
4. Refueling aircraft (towing aircraft).
5. Airship.
6. Airplanes.
7. Rotorcraft.

• Pressure Altitude = ((29.92 - Barometric Pressure) * 100) + Field Altitude

Acronyms

• AHRS - Attitude Heading Reference System (G1000)
• ADC - Air Data Computer (G1000)
• VASI - Visual Approach Slope Indicator
• PAPI - Precision Approach Path Indicator
• TRSA - Terminal Radar Service Area
• MOA - Military Operations Area
• AGL - Above Ground Level
• MSL - Mean Sea Level

Squawk Codes

• 1200 - VFR
• 7500 - Hijack
• 7600 - Loss of Communications
• 7700 - Emergency (Mayday)

Light Gun Signals

On Ground

• Steady Green - Cleared for takeoff
• Flashing Green - Cleared to taxi
• Steady Red - Stop
• Flashing Red - Taxi clear of runway
• Flashing White - Return to starting point on airport
• Alternating Red and Green - Exercise extreme caution

In Flight

• Steady Green - Cleared to land
• Flashing Green - Return to land
• Steady Red - Give way to other aircraft
• Flashing Red - Airport unsafe, do not land
• Alternating Red and Green - Exercise extreme caution

NOTAM Types

• D - Distant: Physical type
• FDC - Flight Data Center: Procedural types

Airmet Types

• Sierra - Mountain obscuration, visibility, IFR conditions
• Tango - Moderate turbulence
• Zulu - Moderate icing

Hypoxia Types

• Hypoxic - Altitude sickness
• Hypermic - Carbon Monoxide poisoning
• Histotoxic - Alcohol
• Stagnent - Block blood flow

Oxygen Requirements

• Above 12,500' MSL for greater than 3 minutes - Crew.
• Above 14,000' MSL - Crew.
• Above 15,000' MSL - Must be available to passengers.
• Above 5,000' MSL at night - Recommended for crew, but not required.

Pilot Evaluation

IMSAFE

• I - Illness
• M - Medication
• S - Stress
• A - Alcohol
• F - Fatigue
• E - Emotions (or Eating)

Information Needed Before Pre-Flight

• NOTAMS
• Weather
• Known ATC Delays
• Runway Lengths
• Alternates
• Fuel
• Takeoff and Landing Distances

VFR Equipment Requirements

TOMATO FLAMES

• T - Tachometer for each engine
• O - Oil temperature for each air-cooled engine
• M - Magnetic compass with deviation card
• A - Airspeed indicator
• T - Temperature gauge
• O - Oil pressure gauge
• F - Fuel gauge for each tank
• L - Landing gear position indicator
• A - Altimeter
• M - Manifold pressure gauge
• E - ELT
• S - Safety belts

Alternative (Day)

• Compass
• Altimeter
• Airspeed Indicator
• Anti-Collision Lights
• Fuel Indicator
• Flotation Device
• Oil Temperature Gauge
• Oil Pressure Gauge
• Tachometer
• Manifold Pressure Gauge
• ELT
• Gear Position Lights
• Seat Belts

Alternative (Night)

• Fuses
• Landing Light
• Anti-Collision Lights
• Position Lights
• Source of Electricity

Required Pilot Documents

• Endorsed Logbook
• Government Issued ID
• Medical
• Pilot Certificate

Medicals

• First Class (ATP): 12 calendar months (6 if over 40)
• Second Class (Commercial): 12 calendar months
• Second Class (Private): 60 calendar months (24 if over 40)
• Third Class (Private): 60 calendar months (24 if over 40)

Required Aircraft Documents

ARROW

• A - Airworthiness Certificate
• R - Radio Station License
• R - Registration Certificate
• O - Operating Limitations
• W - Weight and Balance

Required Aircraft Maintenance

AV1GATE

• A - Annual
• V - VOR (30 days)
• 1 - 100-hour inspection (required if aircraft is used for hire or flight instruction for hire - 91.409(b))
• G - GPS (28 days)
• A - Altimeter (24 calendar months)
• T - Transponder (24 calendar months)
• E - ELT (12 calendar months, or 1/2 battery life, or after 1 hour of cumulative use)

Required Reporting

• Flight control system malfunction or failure.
• Inability of any required crew member to perform normal flight duties as a result of injury or illness.
• In-flight fire.
• Aircraft collision in flight.
• Damage to property other than the aircraft estimated to exceed $25,000.
• Release of all or a portion of the blade from an aircraft excluding release only by ground contact.

Airspaces

Entry Requirements

• A - ATC Clearance
• B - ATC Clearance
• C - 2-way radio communication prior to entry
• D - 2-way radio communication prior to entry

Equipment Requirements =

• A - IFR
• B - 2-way radio and transponder (ADS-B in 2020)
• C - 2-way radio and transponder (ADS-B in 2020)
• D - 2-way radio

VFR Minimums

Class G Airspace

• Under 1,200' AGL (day): 1sm visibility and clear of clouds.
• Under 1,200' AGL (night): 3sm visibility, 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horizontal
• 1,200' AGL up to 10,000' MSL (day): 1sm visibility, 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horizontal
• 1,200' AGO up to 10,000' MSL (night): 3sm visibility, 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horizontal

Class E Airspace

• Below FL010 MSL: 3sm visibility, 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horizontal
• FL010 and above: 5sm visibility, 1,000' below, 1,000' above, 1sm horizontal

Class C & D Airspace

• 3sm visibility, 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horizontal

Class B Airspace

• 3sm visibility, clear of clouds

V-Speeds

Cessna 172SP w/G1000 (Paragon)

• V_S0 - 40
• V_S1 - 48
• V_R - 55
• V_BG - 68
• V_X - 62
• V_Y - 74
• V_FE - 110 (10°), 85 (20°+)
• V_A - 90-105
• V_NO - 129
• V_NE - 163

Cessna 172SP (RexAir)

• V_S0 - 42
• V_S1 - 48
• V_R - 55
• V_BG - 68
• V_X - 62
• V_Y - 74
• V_FE - 110 (10°), 85 (20°+)
• V_A - 99
• V_NO - 129
• V_NE - 163

Piper Arrow (RexAir)

• V_S0 - 56
• V_S1 - 62
• V_R - 56
• V_BG - 81-91
• V_X - 83
• V_Y - 87
• V_FE - 109
• V_A - 101-114
• V_NO - 148
• V_NE - 186
• V_LE - 130
• V_LR - 109

Biennial Flight Review

Duration of Medical Certificate (FAR 61.23)

• First Class (ATP): 12 calendar months (6 if over 40)
• Second Class (Commercial): 12 calendar months
• Second Class (Private): 60 calendar months (24 if over 40)
• Third Class (Private): 60 calendar months (24 if over 40)

Recent Flight Experience (FAR 61.57)

• In order to carry passengers, PIC must have three takeoffs and landings, in the same category, class and type of aircraft, within the preceding 90 days.
• Takeoffs and landings may be done in an FAA approved flight simulator or flight training device (ATD).
• For daytime currency, takeoffs and landings may be full-stop or touch-and-go.
• For nighttime currency, the landings MUST be full-stop.

Careless or Reckless Operation (FAR 91.13)

• Aircraft operations for the purpose of air navigation. No person may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.
• Aircraft operations other than for the purpose of air navigation. No person may operate an aircraft, other than for the purpose of air navigation, on any part of the surface of an airport used by aircraft for air commerce (including areas used by those aircraft for receiving or discharging persons or cargo), in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.

Alcohol or Drugs (FAR 91.17)

• Cannot operate an aircraft within 8 hours of consuming any alcohol.
• Cannot operate an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol.
• Cannot operate an aircraft while using any drug that would affect the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety.
• Cannot operate an aircraft with a BAL of greater than 0.04.
• Except in an emergency, carry a person aboard an aircraft that appears to be intoxicated or appears to be under the influence of drugs.

Pre-Flight Action (FAR 91.103, AIM 5-1-1)

• Each PIC shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight.
  • Weather reports and forecasts.
  • Fuel requirements.
  • Alternate airports along route.
  • Runway lengths at airports that are intended to be used.
• Pilots are urged to:
  • Obtain a full weather briefing, including NOTAMS.
  • File a flight plan.
  • Use the most up-to-date aeronautical charts.

Crew Members at Stations (FAR 91.105)

• All flight crew members are to be at their station, with seat belts fastened, during takeoff and landing.
• The use of seat belts include shoulder harnesses if equipped. Shoulder harnesses do not have to be worn if they interfere with the crew member's required activities.

Use of Safety Belts (FAR 91.107)

• The PIC must ensure that 'EVERY passenger ...
  • Is briefed on the use of seat belts and shoulder harnesses.
  • Is seated in a certified seat.
  • Is restrained using the installed seat belts and, if available, shoulder harnesses.

Right-of-Way Rules (FAR 91.113)

• An aircraft in distress has the right-of-way over all other aircraft.
• With converging aircraft, except for head-on circumstances, that are of the same category, the aircraft to the right has the right-of-way.
• With aircraft of different categories, the right-of-way priority is as follows:

1. Balloon
2. Glider
3. Airship
4. Aircraft towing or refueling
5. Powered parachute
6. Airplane
7. Rotorcraft

• When aircraft are approaching head-on, both aircraft shall alter their course to their right.
• When an aircraft is overtaking another, the aircraft being overtaken has the right-of-way. The overtaking aircraft shall alter course to the right and pass well clear of the other aircraft.
• Aircraft on final approach, or while landing, have the right-of-way to other aircraft in flight or operating on the airport surface.

Aircraft Speed (FAR 91.117)

• All aircraft operating below 10,000' MSL are limited to 250 kias.
• All aircraft operating in a Class C or Class D airspace are limited to 200 kias.
• All aircraft operating in a Class B airspace are limited to 250 kias unless operating within a VFR corridor, or within the airspace of the underlying airport, where the speed is limited to 200 kias.
• If the minimum safe speed for an aircraft is greater than the previously listed speeds, then the aircraft may operate at that minimum safe speed.

Minimum Safe Altitudes: General (FAR 91.119)

• Anywhere: The aircraft should operate at an altitude that, if in the event of a power failure, an emergency landing can be accomplished without hazards to persons or property on the surface.
• Over congested areas: 1,000' above the highest obstacle with a horizontal radius of 2,000' of the aircraft.
• Over non-congested areas: 500' above the surface, except over water or sparsely populated areas. In those areas, the aircraft must remain at least 500' away from any person, vessel, vehicle or structure.

Altimeter Settings (FAR 91.121, AIM 7-2)

• Below FL180, set the altimeter to a station along the route that is within 100 nautical miles of the aircraft.
• At or above FL180, set the altimeter to 29.92".

ATC Light Signals (FAR 91.125, AIM 4-3-13)

• On Ground
  • Steady Green - Cleared for takeoff
  • Flashing Green - Cleared to taxi
  • Steady Red - Stop
  • Flashing Red - Taxi clear of runway
  • Flashing White - Return to starting point on airport
  • Alternating Red and Green - Exercise extreme caution
• In Flight
  • Steady Green - Cleared to land
  • Flashing Green - Return to land
  • Steady Red - Give way to other aircraft
  • Flashing Red - Airport unsafe, do not land
  • Alternating Red and Green - Exercise extreme caution

Class G Airspace (FAR 91.126, AIM 3-3)

• Uncontrolled airspace.
• Primarily all airspace, outside of Class B, C and D, below 1,200' AGL, except for transition areas where it goes down to 700' AGL.
• All traffic patterns to non-towered airports are to the left unless noted otherwise on the sectional chart.
• Altitudes:
  • 0° - 179° - VFR, Odd thousand + 500; IFR, Odd thousand.
  • 180° - 359° - VFR, Even thousand + 500; IFR, Even thousand.
• Visibility:
  • 1,200' to 10,000': 1-152 (1mi Vis, 1mi Horizontal, 1,000' above, 500' below)
  • Below 1,200: 1-CoC (1mi Vis, Clear of Clouds)

Class E Airspace (FAR 91.127, AIM 3-2-6)

• Controlled airspace.
• All airspace that is not Class A, B, C, D or G.

Class D Airspace (FAR 91.129, AIM 3-2-5)

• Actual size is determined on sectional charts, but generally it is defined as an area 4 nm radius out from an airport with a control tower and up to 2,500' AGL.
• Two-way radio communications required for entry into Class D airspace.
• Aircraft speed limited to 200 kias.
• No separation services provided by ATC.