Click here or on the icon to the left to download the SportCruiser checkout syllabus for training certified pilots transitioning to the SportCruiser. It can be printed on one sheet of paper and carried on your kneeboard. Check off each item as you go. The completed checklist will be filed in the pilot's admin folder.

This syllabus consists of 4 lessons outlining the minimum subjects required to be covered. Instructors will train to proficiency as they would on a BFR. The amount of training required is determined by the instructor so the number of flights required will vary.

1. Intro/Familiarization - Admin records, Scheduling, Maintenance, Normal Checklists, Turns, Slow Flight, Stall Demos, Landing Pattern Demo.
2. Emergency Procedures - Electrical Fires/Failures, Engine Roughness/Fires/Failures,Stalls. Landing Pattern Intro.
3. Landing Pattern - Normal, Crosswind, Soft Field, Short Field, Engine Out.
4. Supervised Solo

What Will You Learn in Flight Training?

Atlanta Sport Flight uses Gleim training syllabi to make your path to becoming a pilot

Clear and Achievable.

You will always know where you are in your training and what you need to do to achieve your dreams.

Below is a general outline of each of the flight lessons in the Gleim Sport Pilot Syllabus. A "lesson" is not a "flight" but is a set of training objectives which are learned together. You will learn flying skills and knowledge in a logical order with each lesson building upon the last. You will progress through the lessons at your own pace, so you may complete some lessons in one flight and others may take more. Go as slowly or quickly as you need to. We want to help you earn your pilot certificate quickly and efficiently, but above all we want you to be SAFE!

SPORT PILOT LESSON TOPICS

This is NOT a complete list but a sampling of topics to give you a general idea of how your training will progress. Click on the kneeboard card icon to the left of each lesson for a complete list.

Click on the notepad icon to the left of any lesson to download and print the lesson kneeboard card. It fits onto a kneeboard for the purpose of taking notes during the flight.

Lesson 1 - Introduction to Flight

• Familiarization with our airport and our practice area
• Correct use of checklists
• Aircraft systems
• Pre-flight preparation and inspection procedures
• Correct use of the aircraft's controls
• You will taxi and fly the aircraft yourself for most of the flight!

Lesson 2 - Four Fundamentals of Flight

• Talking on the radio
• Straight & level flight
• Turns to headings
• Climbs & climbing turns
• Descents & descending turns

Lesson 3 – Slow Flight & Stalls

• Maneuvering during slow flight
• Stalls entered from straight flight

Lesson 4 – Emergency Operations

• Emergency equipment
• Systems & equipment malfunctions
• Handling emergencies during flight

Lesson 5 – Ground Reference Maneuvers

• Steep turns
• Rectangular course
• S-turns
• Turns around a point

Lesson 6 – Review

• Review all previously introduced maneuvers
• Stalls entered from turns

Lesson 7 – Go-around & Forward Slip

• Go-around/rejected landing (start an approachthen decide NOT to land)
• Forward slip (method of descending more quickly when you’re higher than you want to be)
• Dealing with unexpected requests from air traffic controllers

Lesson 8 – Pre-Solo Review

• Review of selected knowledge and maneuvers which you’ve already learned.

Lesson 9 – Pre-Solo Review

• Review of selected knowledge and maneuvers which you’ve already learned. (This flight focuses on different items than lesson 8)

Lesson 10 – Your first solo flight!

• Practice takeoffs and landings by yourself while your instructor watches from the ground.

Lesson 11 – Stage One Check

• This is a “check” by an instructor other than the one with whom you’ve been flying. Every pilot has a different background and experience and each does things a little differently in the cockpit. This flight will give you a different perspective and confirm that you’re ready to progress to the next stage of training.

Lesson 12 – Second Pattern Solo

• Do a quick “dual” flight with your instructor and then come back to the airport to do some landings by yourself.

Lesson 13 – Short-field & Soft-field Takeoffs & Landings

• This lesson prepares you to operate from a variety of airports including:
  • Short runways
  • Soft runways (grass

Lesson 14 – Solo Maneuvers Review

• Leave the airport and fly out to the practice area by yourself to practice slow flight and ground reference maneuvers.

Lesson 15 – Dual Cross Country

• “Dual” means “with your instructor.” You will fly by “pilotage” (looking at a map and at the ground,) by “dead reckoning” (calculating and flying a course from point to point,) and by using radio and GPS navigation aids. You will also learn what to do if you are lost!

Lesson 16 – Solo Cross-Country

• Plan and fly a cross-country flight by yourself (Not across the WHOLE country; probably just to Alabama ) Your instructor will double-check your planning and the weather conditions and will be waiting for you back at the home field.

Lesson 16A – Second Solo Cross-Country

• Again, your instructor will be there to double-check your planning and weather before you go.

Lesson 17 – Maneuvers Review

• Get ready for your FAA check ride by practicing all of your maneuvers with your instructor.

Lesson 18 – Solo Practice

• You’re almost ready to take the FAA flight test. First you’ll go out and practice everything you’ve learned by yourself

Lesson 19 – Stage Two Check

• Take a practice check flight with an instructor before doing the actual test with an FAA Examiner.

You’re ready! Go take your Sport Pilot “Practical Exam”
and get your pilot certificate!

 

Exams 4 Pilots:Click here to practice answering questions from the FAA's Written Exam at www.exams4pilots.org. The actual test you must pass to get a pilot certificate is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam using these same questions! You must get achieve a score of at least 70%.

Pilot Training Standards

The FAA's Pilot Training Standards booklet, or "PTS," specifies the "Areas of Operation" and specific tasks in which pilot candidates must demonstrate knowledge and skill. The examiners must adhere to this outline so that you will know what you are going to be tested over. The PTS specifies the standards you must meet to become a certified pilot and our job is to help you meet these standards.

We will provide you with a copy of the PTS in your study material. But since they are government publications, you can also also download them free of charge. Just click on the button below.

You Need Renters Insurance!

Atlanta Sport Flight highly recommends that pilots protect themselves by buying non-owned aircraft insurance, commonly called "renters insurance," before they solo. Click here to read an article by Jim Gardner on "Subrogation" which will help you understand the need for insurance.

AVEMCO specializes in aviation insurance, does not use brokers (buy direct from www.avemco.com) and is slightly less expensive than AIG. Tell AVEMCO if you're an ACE member and ACE will receive a benefit. Click hereto go to the AVEMCO web site.

AIG sells through insurance brokers and their policy gives you more liability coverage for non-passengers who are injured. AIG coverage starts at about $175/year for $250,000 liability insurance and $5,000 of aircraft damage insurance. Download a brochure with specific prices by clicking here. You may use this same brochure to buy from any AIG broker. Most AIG brokers give AOPA members a 5% discount. Click hereto go to the AOPA insurance web site.

Ask your broker or financial advisor for assistance in deciding on the correct amount of insurance for you. Pilots may buy insurance from any source. ASF uses the following insurance broker and has had great service. (ASF does not receive any benefit if a pilot uses our broker.)

Denise Porter
Aviation West Insurance Brokers
If you desire to buy your insurance through Aviation West, just print out the AIG application above and call Denise at (760) 727-7444 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Jim Gardner
Insuramerica, Inc
Jim has offices on the 1st floor of the FTY admin building (below the ACE offices.) You may drop by his offices or contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it