Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is designed to meet the requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations - 14 CFR Parts 61.103(d) & 61.105(b) for obtaining endorsement for taking the FAA Private Pilot Airplane knowledge test. Students seeking Private Pilot Helicopter certificate should take both this course and AVS-120H Helicopter Private Differences. Lectures, discussions, videos, handouts, and written tests will provide to the student the necessary information. Class participants will be expected to invest time outside of class to accomplish mastery of course content. 

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Qualify to take the FAA Airplane Private Pilot knowledge test.
• Plan and explain the execution of a flight typical of a Private Pilot Certificate holder.

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will explain the methods used to evaluate and record student progress, and the criteria for assigning a course grade. Evaluation methods may include one or more of the following: Tests and quizzes, attendance, and participation, class assignments, class projects.

FAR 61.105 (b) and FAR 141 appendix B (3) (b) include the following aeronautical knowledge areas:

1. Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
2. Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
3. The use of the applicable portions of the "Aeronautical Information Manual" and appropriate FAA advisory circulars;
4. The use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;
5. Radio communication procedures;
6. Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
7. Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;
8. Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;
9. Weight and balance computations;
10. Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;
11. Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques;
12. Aeronautical decision making and judgement; and
13. Preflight action that includes -
    1. How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and
    2. How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.