Instructor's Guide to the Pre-Solo Written Test

So you're looking for help developing your student's pre-solo written test? This guide can assist you.

Introduction

 This safety advisor is designed to assist you, as your students approach that milestone in their aviation careers, by giving you a clear idea of the requirements for a properly performed pre-solo written test. For additional help, look for "ASF Recommends"; it will increase flying safety by promoting your students' awareness. You are welcome to use this advisor and the material it contains in any way necessary to guarantee your students' solo success.

Background

 The pre-solo written test was devised to ensure that students had the technical knowledge required to safely solo an airplane. Over the years, as regulations increased in both number and complexity, the test has become a burden to flight instructors and students alike. This safety advisor will aid instructors in making the pre-solo written test an effective learning tool.

Your perception

 Your perception of the pre-solo written test will change as soon as you realize that it is more than a speed bump on the private pilot road. When used properly, it becomes a tool that benefits students throughout their piloting careers because students will fly the aircraft that they solo periodically throughout their careers. A properly designed pre-solo written test serves as a wonderful study guide, in addition to preparation for the first solo flight.

Pre-solo written test ideals

 By leaving any hard requirements for the pre-solo written test out of the Federal Aviation Regulations, the FAA both blessed and cursed the student pilot. Technically, you are only required to test your student on the applicable regulations, flight characteristics, and operational limitations for the make and model of aircraft to be soloed. If you find that the student can address those requirements using only one question, the test is perfectly legal and ideal for student kamikaze pilots. On the other hand, marathon written tests may result in students canceling all future flight activity to contemplate the origins of the universe. Obviously, a happy medium must be reached if students are to gain anything from the test.

ASF recommends using the pre-solo written test as a valuable teaching tool, rather than treating it as just a required task.

The primary objective of any test is to evaluate the student's knowledge. Tests are also used to reinforce and refresh past learning.

If your students are anything like the national norm, book work and studying are rarely priorities. Getting them to study is always a challenge.

ASF recommends requiring the student to list the references for each question.

The pre-solo written test goals should include teaching the student specifics, as well as where to locate information. This will force your student into the books, not only learning the requested information but, perhaps more importantly, where to find it. By requiring your student to write the references for each question, you are ensuring that your student will be able to not only find specific references, but also will be able to review any question in the future. This permits the use of the pre-solo test as a study guide for the private pilot practical test, a future check-out in the aircraft to be soloed, or any time your student would like to brush up on the basics.

ASF recommends dividing the test into two sections: a closed-book written quiz and an open-book, take-home test. Both the quiz and the test should require the student to answer in writing.

Average students should complete the quiz portion of the pre-solo written test in approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The quiz should cover aircraft operational knowledge, such as V speeds and emergency procedures, and be graded immediately upon completion. Any incorrect answers should be corrected that evening during the take-home portion of the test. The take-home portion should take approximately one hour and include items such as FARs, aircraft operational procedures, and local procedures. You should grade the take-home portion of the test in your student's presence. This allows discussion of any incorrect answers.

ASF recommends that the student research and correct all incorrect answers.

Once all answers have been corrected, it is wise, although not required, for you to keep the test and record the date, your student's name, and the test results in the log you keep for sign-offs for a minimum period of three years. In addition, you should make a copy of the corrected pre-solo written test and give it to your student for future reference.

Finally, you should use this opportunity to define your student's personal flight weather minimums. FARs stipulate that students may only fly when the visibility is greater than 3 miles during the day or 5 miles at night. It is wise to further limit this minimum, as necessary. For instance, you may want to restrict the lowest ceiling or the maximum wind conditions in which your student may solo. This will teach your students to define their own limitations once they are private pilots.

Pre-solo topics

The following is a recommended list of topics that should be covered during each section of the pre-solo written test:
  1. Written quiz
    1. V speeds and their definitions
    2. Aircraft emergency procedures
  2. Take-home test
    1. Aircraft limitations
    2. Aircraft operation and maintenance
    3. FARs
      1. Eligibility requirements: Student pilots (61.83)
      2. Solo flight requirements for student pilots (61.87)
      3. General limitations (61.89)
      4. Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command (91.3)
      5. Careless or reckless operation (91.13)
      6. Dropping objects (91.15)
      7. Alcohol or drugs (91.17)
      8. Portable electronic devices (91.21)
      9. Preflight action (91.103)
      10. Use of safety belts and shoulder harnesses (91.107)
      11. Right-of-way rules (91.113)
      12. Minimum safe altitudes (91.119)
      13. Altimeter settings (91.121)
      14. Compliance with ATC clearances and instructions (91.123)
      15. ATC light signals (91.125)
      16. Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class G airspace (91.126)
      17. Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class E airspace (91.127)
      18. Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class D airspace (91.129)
      19. Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class C airspace (91.130), as necessary
      20. Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class B airspace (91.131), as necessary
      21. Restricted and prohibited areas (91.133)
      22. Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions (91.151)
      23. Basic VFR weather minimums (91.155)
      24. Civil aircraft: Certifications required (91.203)
      25. Aircraft lights (91.209)
      26. Aerobatic flight (91.303)
    4. Aeronautical Information Manual
      1. Wake turbulence
      2. Radio failure procedures
      3. Airport markings
      4. Traffic pattern
        1. Pattern legs
        2. Entry and departure
        3. Standard turns
    5. Local procedures
      1. Frequencies
        1. Airports
        2. Emergency
      2. Airport procedures
        1. Traffic pattern directions and altitudes.
        2. Noise abatement
        3. Particular flight school procedures (as applicable)

Conclusion

 The person with the single greatest influence over a pilot's career is you, the flight instructor. By choosing to teach in a responsible manner, you have brought safety not only to your student, but also to the aviation community. The pre-solo written test, when performed under the guidelines of this safety advisor, is just one practice of professional instructor. To continue the safe behavior is your responsibility to your student.

Appendix A — ASF sample pre-solo written test questions

Written Quiz

 Instructions: Answer each question in the space provided. The instructor may pick and choose particular questions to shorten the length of the quiz.

1. Define and list the following speeds for your aircraft:

Vs —

Vso —

Vx —

Vy —

Va —

Vfe —

Vno —

Vne —

2. What is the airplane's best glide speed? When is it used?

3. List the procedures to respond to an in-flight engine failure.

4. List the procedure to respond to an engine fire on the ground while starting.

5. List the procedure for loss of a communication radio when arriving at an airport with an operating control tower.

Take-Home Test

Instructions: Answer each question in the space provided, using the FARs, the AIM, the Airport Facility Directory, and the pilot's operating handbook. Use the space to the left of the question number to list the reference for each question. The instructor may pick and choose particular questions to shorten the length of the test.

1. What is the maximum gross weight of the airplane in the Normal category?

2. If a glider is converging with an airplane, which has the right of way?<

3. What are the limit load factors in both the Normal and Utility categories with the flaps up and down?

4. What preflight action is required of a pilot prior to a flight?

5. What is the maximum rpm of your airplane?

6. Define an aerobatic maneuver.

7. Generally describe the engine in your airplane.

8. List the definition of careless or reckless operation.

9. What is the oil sump capacity in your airplane? What is the minimum?

10. What is the minimum amount of time a pilot is required to wait after the consumption of alcohol?

11. What would happen to the fuel indicators if all electricity in the airplane was lost?

12. What are the basic VFR weather minimums? What is the minimum visibility for a student pilot?

13. Why is it necessary to drain fuel out of the sumps after refueling and before the first flight of the day?

14. List and describe each of the light gun signals available from air traffic control.

15. Will the engine still run if the master switch is turned off? Why?

16. What are wing-tip vortices (wake turbulence)? With which aircraft are they greatest? Describe proper avoidance.

17. What endorsements are required for solo flight? What three documents must you have in your possession to solo an aircraft as a student?

18. During runup, what is the maximum allowable rpm drop?

19. Draw an airport traffic pattern, labeling each leg and the proper entry and departure points. Which turn direction is standard for an airport traffic pattern?

20. List the traffic pattern altitude, direction of turns, noise abatement procedures, and all radio frequencies for the following local area airports and their runways:

21. What is the fuel capacity? How much is usable?

22. What is the authority and responsibility of the pilot in command?

23. When are you required to wear a safety belt?

24. When are you permitted to deviate from an ATC instruction?

25. What grade(s) of aviation fuel is/are available for use? What color is each?

26. When an aircraft is approaching another head-on, each pilot should alter their course to the _____.

27. A(n) _____ on the runway indicates that the runway is closed.

28. Draw the pavement marking requiring you to stop before entering a runway.

29. When is dropping objects from an airplane permitted?

30. The _____ of two aircraft on approach to the same runway has the right of way.

31. What must a pilot do before entering Class D airspace?

32. What is the minimum safe altitude anywhere? Over congested areas?

33. List the day-VFR weather minimums in Class G, E, and D airspace.

34. List the documents that must be aboard the aircraft at all times.

35. When must the aircraft's navigation lights be on?

36. What are you, as a student pilot, required to have before operating in Class B airspace?

37. What is the minimum fuel required for day VFR operations?

Appendix B — FAR Part 61.87

Solo Flight Requirements For Student Pilots

 (b) Aeronautical knowledge. A student pilot must have demonstrated satisfactory knowledge to an authorized instructor, of the appropriate portions of Parts 61 and 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations that are applicable to student pilots. This demonstration must include the satisfactory completion of a written examination to be administered and graded by the instructor who endorses the student's pilot certificate for solo flight. The written examination must include questions on the applicable regulations and the flight characteristics and operational limitations for the make and model aircraft to be flown.

References
  • Advisory Circular 61-101, Pre-solo Written Test
  • FAR Parts 61 and 91
  • Advisory Circular 60-14, Aviation Instructor's Handbook

© Copyright 1996, AOPA Air Safety Foundation
421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701; Telephone: 800/638-3101
Internet: www.aopa.org/asf
Publisher: Bruce Landsberg
Editor: John Steuernagle
Consultant: Brandon Taksa
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Updated Friday, October 06, 2000 11:14:55 AM