Students learn how to ensure an aircraft is airworthy (i.e., mechanically sound) prior to flight. Students also learn how to conduct a weather briefing prior to a flight (to ensure conditions will be safe) and how to complete a pre-flight calculation of the aircraft weight and balance (which ensures it will perform normally during the flight, given the passenger, baggage and fuel loading). During this flight, students are introduced to the experience and sensations of flying, as viewed from the pilot seat. Students are also introduced to the radio transmission language and procedures that occur between the pilot and the Air Traffic Controller.10

Air Exercise: Ancillary Cockpit Controls

Students learn the purpose and operation of various cockpit control systems used during flight, including carburettor heat, fuel mixture, fuel tank selector, radio systems, radar transponder, emergency location transmitter, cabin heat and cabin air controls, and other ancillary controls.

Air Exercise: Aircraft Taxiing

The safe manoeuvring of the aircraft on the ground before and after a flight is examined during this exercise, including Air Traffic Control (Ground Control) requirements and other airport taxiing requirements and procedures.

Air Exercise: Flight Familiairization

Together, the student and Flight Instructor work through the pre-flight activities that are required on every flight, including the engine run-up, which checks the engine health and performance, including review of the various engine systems and systems control, and the pre-takeoff checklist, which is a final check of all flight control systems and cockpit security prior to the launch. The student works with the Flight Instructor in conducting the takeoff roll and the rotation which takes the aircraft airborne. After takeoff, aircraft control is formally assigned to the student who, under the supervision of the Flight Instructor, guides the aircraft through the airport departure, and establishes the aircraft at cruising altitude for the planned routing. The student feels first-hand the basic control of the aircaft, including turns, climbs and descents, and is assigned basic navigation tasks, such as following prominent geographic features along the planned route. The Flight Instructor and student work as a crew to return to the aircraft to the airport, including the procedures to obtain Air Traffic Control clearances to enter the Control Zone, join the circuit, and to conduct the final landing on the runway. The student is also introduced to the post-flight pilot duties of taxiing the aircraft back to the Langley Flying School ramp, engine and aircraft systems shut-down, and aircraft security.

Day 2

GROUNDSCHOOL INSTRUCTION (Morning)

Period I

Airframes:11

Fuselage construction and design.

Wing design and features.

Empennage (tail) design and features.

Period 2

Preparatory Ground Instruction: Attitudes and Movements

FLIGHT TRAINING (Afternoon)

Air Exercise: Aircraft Attitudes and Movements12

Students learn in this exercise how to recognise and maintain straight and level flight in the normal cruise configuration, and learn to maintain the straight and level flight while simultaneously producing changes in aircraft speed (airspeed), as well as changes in the aircraft flap configuration.13 Techniques for visually scanning airspace for other aircraft are introduced (i.e., keeping a “look-out”), and students are taught the errors associated with the magnetic compass.14

Day 3

GROUNDSCHOOL INSTRUCTION (Morning)

Period I

Airframes:

G-forces, aircraft load factors and load limits.

Normal and Utility Aircraft Operation Categories.

Period 2

Preparatory Ground Instruction: Straight and Level Flight

FLIGHT TRAINING (Afternoon)

Air Exercise: Straight and Level Flight

Day 4

GROUNDSCHOOL INSTRUCTION (Morning)

Period I

Aircraft Engines—features and designs.

Period 2

Preparatory Ground Instruction: Climbs and Descents, and Turns.

FLIGHT TRAINING (Afternoon)

Air Exercise: Climbs, Descents and Turns

This series of exercises begins on Day 1 and continues into Day 2, focusing on the systematic procedures used to smoothly and effectively enter climbs, descents and turns—the basic manoeuvres of all flying.15 The use of power, trim, and flaps are examined with respect to producing a smooth transition between level flight, climbs and descents. Students learn the “lookout” procedures used prior to executing a turn, and learn how to use precise angles of bank—15°, 30° and 45° bank turns—to establish the aircraft on specified headings.16 Students also learn how to rapidly but safely change the direction and altitude of the aircraft—the emergency “collision avoidance turn.”17

Day 5

GROUNDSCHOOL INSTRUCTION (Morning)

Period I

Tour of Control Tower.18

Period 2

Quiz.19

FLIGHT TRAINING (Afternoon)

Air Exercise: Climbs, Descents, and Turns

As noted abouve, this series of exercises begins on Day 1 and continues into Day 2, focusing on the systematic procedures used to smoothly and effectively enter climbs, descents and turns—the basic manoeuvres of all flying.15 The use of power, trim, and flaps are examined with respect to producing a smooth transition between level flight, climbs and descents. Students learn the “lookout” procedures used prior to executing a turn, and learn how to use precise angles of bank—15°, 30° and 45° bank turns—to establish the aircraft on specified headings.16 Students also learn how to rapidly but safely change the direction and altitude of the aircraft—the emergency “collision avoidance turn.”17

Reference Notes

1 This section examines the various licences and rating that are issued by Transport Canada, including the completion requirements established by the Canadian Aviation Regulations. The goal of this section is to present students with an overview of the training requirements for professional pilots in Canada.

2 A Student Pilot Permit is required by a student pilot soon after training for an initial pilot licence is started. It is required before a student can fly an aircraft solo under the supervision of a Flight Instructor. The minimum age for a Student Pilot Permit is 14 years. To get a Student Pilot Permit, students must have a medical examination and must complete a Transport Canada written examination on the Canadian Aviation Regulations. Langley Flying School student must also complete additional examinations on aircraft operations, emergency procedures, and Langley Airport operations.

3 Private Pilots are licensed to fly any single-engine, non-high performance aeroplane requiring a single pilot for operation; they may also fly any additional aeroplane endorsed on their licence—including multi-engine and seaplanes—in any condition of flight—including day, night or in cloud conditions—provided they are properly rated on their Private Pilot Licence. The minimum age for a Private Pilot Licence is 17 years. Candidates must complete a minimum of 45 hours of flight training and 40 hours groundschool training, and must successfully pass a practical flight test and written examination, both of which are administered by Transport Canada. A Private Pilot Licence is required by all students enrolling in a Commercial Pilot Licence training program.

4 The holder of a Commercial Pilot Licence is qualified to fly any single-engine, non-high performance aeroplane requiring a single pilot for operation that is engaged in a commercial air services. The minimum age for a Commercial Pilot Licence is 18 years. Candidates must have a minimum of 200 hours flying experience, and must have completed 110 hours of flight training and 80 hours groundschool training. They must successfully pass a practical flight test and written examination, both of which are administered by Transport Canada.

5 A Multi-engine Class Rating provides the licence privileges of flying an aircraft equipped with two or more engines. The hours of training are not specified by Transport Canada, but candidates must successfully complete a multi-engine flight test administered by Transport Canada.

6 Pilots who do not hold an Instrument Rating can only operate an aircraft provided visual reference to the ground is maintained at all times during the flight. In contrast, a pilot with an Instrument Rating is qualified to fly an aircraft on instruments only—as is required, for example, during conditions of poor visibility or flight in cloud. Candidates for an Instrument Rating must complete 40 hours of instrument flight training. They must also successfully complete a written examination and flight test administered by Transport Canada.

7 The Airline Transport Pilot Licence is the most senior pilot licence issued by Transport Canada. The holder of an Airline Transport Pilot Licence may command any aircraft engaged in a commercial operation, provided the aircraft is endorsed their licence. Candidates for this licence must hold a Multi-engine Class Rating and an Instrument Rating. They must have completed a total of 1500 hours flying experience, and must successfully complete two written examinations administered by Transport Canada. The minimum age for an Airline Transport Pilot Licence is 21 years.

8 Prior to every flight the pilot must be assured that the balance point of aircraft at takeoff will be within limits specified by the aircraft manufacturer. Consideration must be given to fuel weight, cargo weight, and passenger weight. Factoring in the weight of the various items in conjunction with their location in the aircraft, the pilot uses mathematics to calculate the aircraft’s centre of gravity.

9 Before every flight the pilot physically walks around the aircraft ensuring that it is in a state of “airworthiness” and therefore safe for flight. The inspection is as per the specifications of the aircraft manufacturer, and is also required by law.

10 Whenever possible, Instructors have their students conduct the radio work.

11 This class focuses on the physical components of an aeroplane, and is often conducted by Instructors on the airport ramp where the aircraft are parked.

12 There are four attitudes—the cruise attitude, the climbing attitude, the descending attitude, and the banked attitude—and three movements—pitch, roll, and yaw—that constitute what may be referred to as “pilot control” of the aircraft. An experienced pilot learns to position the aircraft precisely in these attitude and movements with visual reference to the aircraft’s position relative to the horizon.

13 As the aircraft increases airspeed, the nose of the aircraft—as viewed by the pilot—lowers relative to the natural horizon; the reverse is true with a decrease in airspeed—i.e., the nose rises relative to the horizon. Flaps are a control surface on the wing that the pilot extends into the airflow during landings and takeoffs—flaps provide greater control at lower airspeeds.

14 Owing the nature of Earth’s magnetic field, the magnetic compass of aircraft produce errors during turns and during airspeed changes.

15 The sequence of actions used by a pilot to enter a climb, for example, are different from the sequence used to enter a descent. The differences are subtle, yet important.

16 45° banked turns are one of the most difficult manoeuvres required for the Flight Test and require constant practice throughout the training program; at this stage in the training student are essentially introduced to 45° turns, and further practice of this manoeuvre is deferred until after the student has successfully completed solo flight.

17 Air traffic in the Vancouver area is one of the highest density areas in Canada.

18 This is a tour of the Control Tower at Langley Airport.

19 This is a ten-question, multiple-choice quiz that is administered on the last day of Camp. The questions revolve around items learned in both Groundschool and in the air. Successful completion of the quiz leads to the issue of a Certificate of Completion by Langley Flying School.