Lunch at Nashua

by Philip Greenspun; revised April 2005

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Objective

Student becomes familiar with using an airplane for transportation, emphasizing fun and convenience. Student becomes comfortable with the flight controls and learns to control the airplane in straight-and-level flight.

Elements

flight planning, weight and balance
use of checklists
intro to radio communications
taxiing
takeoff and climb-out
airport traffic patterns
turns
scanning for traffic
approach and landing
parking and tie-down

Content

looking at the chart
back-of-envelope fuel calculation (10 minutes to ASH; 4 hours of fuel on board, should be okay)
checking weather for BED and ASH
checking runway length and orientation at ASH
discussion of airport traffic patterns
preflighting the airplane
passenger briefing
checking ATIS/calling Hanscom Ground
brake check
run-up checklist
pre-takeoff checklist
pilot briefing (rotation speed, heading to fly, who takes controls in emergency)
takeoff, turn toward practice area, climb, level out at 2500
straight and level, watching the cowl against the horizon
turns while trying to hold altitude
strategies for scanning for traffic
getting ATIS from Nashua (125.10) then switching to tower (133.20)
draw a picture of Nashua airport, where we are, what pattern entry we are likely to be assigned
descend towards Nashua
call Nashua Tower 10 miles out
hold airspeed with attitude, control altitude with throttle in descent
arrest descent by adding throttle, reducing airspeed
instructor takes over on base leg, just before turning final at around 500' AGL
student is reminded to keep looking far down the runway
use of after-landing checklist; contacting Nashua Ground to taxi to parking
lunch at cafe; tour of Wings pilot shop
fly back to Hanscom via practice area (if the student has the energy and time this can be the second lesson)

We explicitly leave out the following: extensive student pre-flight, flight planning, VFR flight plan filing, opening, and closing.

Schedule

0-30 minutes: planning in the lounge
30-45: pre-flight and getting settled in the airplane
45-60: taxiing out and running up
60-75: taking off and flying around in the practice area
75-85: descending to, approaching and landing at Nashua
85-90: parking
90-135: lunch and discussion
135-150: tour of Wings pilot shop
150-170: quick pre-flight, taxi out, and run up
170-180: fly back to Bedford
180-195: park and secure airplane
195-210: evaluation and discussion

Total time: 3:30!

Equipment

New York Sectional
Fuel strainer
telephone to call Flight Service or Internet connection
headsets
clipboard
pen
scratch paper
airplane
print-outs of the following tasks:

Instructor Actions

The instructor does all of the first pre-flight, with the student observing. The instructor helps the student with takeoffs and does the final 500' of both landings. The instructor makes radio calls on tower frequencies.

Student Actions

The student does the second (abbreviated) pre-flight and most of the manipulation of the flight controls. The student makes the radio calls on ground control frequencies.

Completion Standards

Altitude within 200 feet; heading within 20 degrees.

Evaluation

Reading Assignment

Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual Part II "Flight Operations" (charts, airspace, airports)