Solo Demonstration Flight

A solo demonstration flight is a tradition that harks back to the Wright brother's day. What the solo demonstration flight consists of is at the discretion of the instructor.

Generally, prior to the solo demonstration flight, the student pilot has already demonstrated her/his ability to consistently perform to the Practical Flight Standards with the instructor by his/her side. The solo demonstration ensures that the student pilot can continue an adequate level of performance without the comfort of an instructor ready to take over, and with the pressure to perform adequately with a critical group of observers. Stressors such as sudden winds, insects, motor failures and other aircraft crashes will occur in  future, unsupervised flight, and it is important to know that the prospective solo pilot is capable of flying safely under stressful situations.

A typical solo demonstration flight is as simple as making 3 to 5 takeoffs and landings while maintaining the requirements of the Practical Flight Standards, as applicable.

What the instructor(s) and observation group will be watching for is:

• No violation of the club or AMA safety rules (particularly flight south of the flight safety line, which is the southern edge of the runway extended to infinity)
• Controlled taxi and proper directional choice for takeoff (into wind)
• Smooth takeoff while maintaining runway centerline directional control
• Smooth, controlled turn to downwind with steady climb to landing pattern altitude
• Straight downwind flight, parallel to runway, at constant and appropriate altitude and speed
• Smooth, controlled turns through base leg to final approach position, with constant and appropriate descent rate
• Smooth, controlled final descent to landing with proper pitch attitude, aircraft and engine speed, glide slope, directional control to runway centerline, flare and rollout.

This page last updated 08/18/02 01:37