Towards the Skills Test

With my qualifying cross country out of the way it's time to study for my Skills Test. I know right?

These are the topics for the Skills Test and the methods.

Navigation with diversion

• Prepare navigation to west for all lessons
• Diversion may use VOR

Steep turns

• L & R 360°
• 45º
• add power
• back pressure
• rudder balance

Slow flight

• 10kts above stall
• reduce power
• raise nose
• at correct speed increase power
• power and attitude to maintain speed
• trim

Safe Slow Cruise

Aiming for:- 75kts 20° flaps 2300 RPM

• Reduce power by 300 RPM. 
• Hold attitude and wait for speed
• 10° flap & trim add 100 RPM
• 20° flap & trim add 200 RPM 

Spiral Dive Recovery

• Throttle closed, flaps up, ailerons neutral
• Verify spins direction (turn coordinator)
• Apply full opposite rudder
• Pause
• Move control column centrally forward to unstall. Wait until rotation stops
• Centralise controls
• Level wings
• As nose rises above horizon, add power

Stalls - HASELL

• Clean power off - recover at examiners command, rudder for balance
• 20° flap in turn [base leg] - recover at first sign of stall, recover then level wings
• 30° flap [simulated final] - recover at first sign of stall, drag flap away

Stall recovery - show positive action. 

PFL / Precautionary landing

• Immediate Action [aviate]
  • Glide & trim
  • Select Field thinking WIND
  • Plan Approach - upwind end of field

• Heights [aviate]
  • Downwind 1500'
  • Base 1000'

• Fly towards field [navigate]

• Check failure [aviate]
  • fuel - tanks, pump
  • mixture
  • mags
  • icing - carburettor 

• Mayday [communicate]

Diversion

• Circle and identify last known position on map
• Draw line to chosen divert
• Find heading
• Wind Correction
• Distance
• Time

Instrument Flight and Nav

• VOR - Flag FROM / TO
  • Tune (CPT 114.35)
  • Ident (morse)
  • Test
  • Set
• Instrument flight - T instruments

Circuits

• Normal
• Flapless (+5 kts)
• Glide (+5 kts)

Rejected Take-Off

Engine Failure After Take-Off

Technical Questions

• SEP License validation and renewal (CAP804 flight crew licensing)
• Weather minimums
• Best rate & angle
• Engine technical
• Talk through route
  • Current weather, fronts, minimums
  • Obstacles
  • Controlled Airspace

Skills Checklist

1. Aircraft checked & prep for flight
2. Flight Plog including fuel calculations
3. NOTAMS - print narrow route
4. Weather - print
5. Chart prepared for flight
6. Weight & Balance
7. Performance Take-Off & Landing (Airfield chart AIS)
8. Aircraft Documents
   • Pilot Operating Handbook
   • Certificate of Airworthiness
   • Certificate of release to service
   • Tech log
   • Insurance
   • Tx/Rx License
   • Original documents checked