CFI Notebook

The flight training chapter prepares students for the nuance of flight instruction, including:

• Finding an FAA Certified Flight Instructor.
• Finding an FAA Certified Flight School.
• Introducing the applicable pilot certificates and rating requirements.
• Finding a Designee (FAA Evaluator).
• Introducing the instrument rating.
• Cockpit management techniques.
• Navigating aircraft transitions.
• Getting back into flying.
• Acquiring and using an electronic flight bag.

Aircraft operations cover various procedures based on the phase of flight, including:

• Ground operations pre- and post-flight.
• Departures into the en-route structure.
• The en-route structure.
• Arrivals from the enroute structure.
• Terminal area procedures.
• Instrument approach procedures.
• Considerations for operating at night.
• Exploring gliding/soaring operations.

The aeromedical & human factors chapter reviews the human element of the flight environment, including:

• Understanding the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Learning the Aeronautical Decision-Making process.
• Crew Resource Management practices.
• Hyperventilation risks and solutions.
• Managing the risks of hypoxia.
• Exploring spatial disorientation & illusions in flight.
• Determining Fitness for Flight.
• Medical Certificate Requirements.
• Understanding the nervous system.
• Vestibular system strengths and limitations.
• Effectively leveraging the eyes and vision.

The aerodynamics & performance chapter contextualizes the why behind maneuvers by describing flight characteristics, including:

• Breaking apart aircraft components & structure.
• Understanding the principles of flight.
• Reviewing the totality of possible performance calculations.
• The factors influencing Aircraft Stability.
• Cold and warm temperature operations impact on flight execution.
• Performance during stall maneuvers.
• Performance in cruise flight.
• Calculating weight and balance.
• Performance in turning maneuvers.
• Atmospheric effects in various flight regimes.
• Applying takeoff & climb performance in different situations.
• Planning for descent and landing performance.

The maneuvers & procedures chapter describes the steps required when performing ground and flight maneuvers, including:

• Performing takeoff and landing procedures.
• Airborne maneuvers.
• Navigating Instrument Flight Rule procedures.
• Aerobatic flight maneuvers.
• Encountering and applying emergency procedures.
• Ground reference maneuvers as a foundation.
• Performing aircraft stalls.
• Formation flight fundamentals.

The operation of aircraft systems chapter reviews the form, function, and interaction of airborne and ground-based systems, including:

• Aircraft Lighting.
• Use of aircraft environmental control systems, ensuring comfort of pilot and passengers.
• Electrical.
• Reviewing flight control system performance to maneuver the aircraft.
• Ensuring a ready aviation fuel system.
• Understanding Gyroscopic Systems and the instruments they power.
• The benefits of hydraulic & Pneumatic systems.
• Aircraft Icing Protection Systems.
• Ignition.
• Aircraft Induction Systems.
• Landing Gear.
• Managing heat and friction through lubrication systems.
• Pitot-Static and Vacuum.
• Powerplant.
• Propeller.
• Mitigating high altitude risks with supplemental oxygen.

The weather & atmosphere chapter describes atmospheric phenomenon and the products that aim to predict their impacts, including:

• Prognostic Charts.
• ATC In-Flight Weather Avoidance Assistance.
• The makeup and composition of the Earth's atmosphere.
• Aviation Routine Weather Report (METARs).
• Clouds in the Aviation Environment.
• Convective Outlook.
• ERAU Weather Information Sheet.
• Leveraging weather resources through FAA weather services.
• Fog in the aviation environment and the associated dangers.
• Air masses and weather fronts and their effect on the atmosphere.
• Aircraft icing on ground and in-flight.
• In-flight weather advisories, including AIRMETs, SIGMETS, and Convective SIGMETs.
• Low-Level Wind Shear & Microburst Detection Systems.
• Microbursts.
• Relaying aviation conditions through pilot reports (PIREPs).
• Preflight Briefing.
• Radar Summary Chart.
• Surface Analysis Chart.
• Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF).
• Terminal Broadcast Services and Systems.
• Thunderstorms and lightning, very very frightening.
• Wind and Temperature Aloft (FB) forecasts, and their value in planning.
• W.M.O. Present Weather Code List.

The navigation & flight planning chapter explains how to plan flights, utilizing navigation tools and techniques, including:

• Area Navigation.
• Diversions in response to the dynamic aviation environment.
• conducting flight planning to safely and effectively complete a flight.
• Navigation & Flight Planning.
• Required Navigation Performance.
• Filing and flying VFR & IFR flight plans.
• VFR Cross-Country Flight.
• Navigation Charts.

The remotely-piloted aircraft chapter uncovers the latest aviation technologies and automation, including:

• Lost Link.

The national airspace system chapter describes the rules of the sky as they relate to controlled and uncontrolled airspace areas, including:

Controlled Airspace:

• Class Alpha Airspace for the high-altitude environment.
• Class Bravo Airspace around the busiest of airports.
• Class Charlie Airspace and terminal procedures.
• Class Delta Airspace across the U.S.
• Class Echo Airspace, the space in between.

Uncontrolled Airspace:

• Class Golf Airspace for the uncontrolled environment.

Special Use Airspace:

• Prohibited.
• Restricted.
• National Security Area (NSA).
• Warning Areas.
• Military Operating Area (MOA).
• Alert Areas.
• Controlled Firing Area (CFAs).

Other Airspace:

• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).
• Wildlife and Recreational Area.
• Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
• Airport Advisory/Information Services.
• Military Training Routes (MTRs).
• Parachute Jump Aircraft Operations.
• Published VFR Routes.
• Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA).

The avionics & instruments chapter introduces the instruments, both airborne and ground-based for pilots to reference in flight, including:

• Know your speed with the airspeed indicator.
• Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
• Height indicators with an Altimeter.
• Attitude Indicator.
• Distance Measuring Equipment (DME).
• Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT).
• Non-Directional Radio Beacon (NDB).
• Heading Indicator.
• Magnetic Compass.
• Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN).
• Transponder.
• Turn Coordinator.
• Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI).
• VHF Omni-Directional Range (VOR).
• Instrument Landing System (ILS).

The publications & references chapter identifies important documents for pilot use in flight planning and execution, including:

• Operating Handbooks.
• FAA Manuals.
• Other Publications:
  • Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).
  • Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).
  • Pilot Safety Brochures.
  • Pilot/Controller Glossary (P/CG).
  • Advisory Circular (AC).
  • Chart Supplement U.S..
  • Airport Diagram.
  • Federal Aviation Regulations.
  • Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS).
  • Airworthiness Documentation.
  • Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
  • Registration Certificate.
  • Pilots Information Manual (PIM).

The rules & regulation chapter reviews the regulatory environment surrounding aviation operations, including:

• Aviation Roles.
• Aircraft Speed.
• Callsigns.
• Careless or Reckless Operation.
• Carriage.
• Dropping Objects.
• Instrument Flight Rules.
• Operating Near Other Aircraft.
• Parachutes and Parachuting.
• Maintaining pilot logbooks for regulatory compliance.
• Honoring right-of-way rules.
• Solo Restrictions.
• Special VFR or (SVFR) procedures.
• Safety margins with takeoff minimums.
• Visual Flight Rules.

The flight hazards & safety chapter covers potential hazards to safe flight and procedures to mitigate them, including:

• Aircraft Arresting Systems.
• Accident Cause Factors.
• Bird Hazards.
• Obstructions To Flight.
• Flight Operations in Volcanic Ash.
• Lost communication in aviation.
• Emergency Voice Reports.
• Situations requiring intercept procedures.
• Light Gun Signals.
• Emergency Equipment.
• Emergency Procedures.
• Lost Aircraft Procedures.
• Search and Rescue (SAR).
• Seaplane Safety.
• Mountain Flying.
• Traffic Avoidance Systems.
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Regulations.

The air traffic control chapter covers the national air traffic control system and its management of the national airspace system, including:

• Management of the airport environment via the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT).
• Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) for terminal area management.
• Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) to manage the enroute structure.
• Clear and concise radio communications to enhance safety and create efficiency.
• Radio Detection And Ranging (RADAR).
• Radar Vectors.
• Terminal Broadcast Services and Systems.
• FAA Weather Services.
• FAA Radar Services.
• Separation Standards.
• JO (7110.65) Air Traffic Organization Policy.

The aviation maintenance chapter covers the procedures required to maintain an aircraft's physical and legal airworthiness, including:

• Preventive Maintenance.
• Aircraft Logbooks.