This non-credit course will be taught by ground instructor, Dr. Robert Kuhns, a private pilot and director of Butler’s McConnell Campus. It will be held on Wednesday evenings from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Butler Service Center at 2626 S. Rock Road, Wichita, Kansas. The class will run from Sept. 14th – Dec. 7th, 2011. Cost for the ground school is $169.
The class will cover topics including navigation, meteorology, radio communication, radio navigation, theory of flight, federal air regulations and related subjects. Upon successful completion of the class, the student should be able to pass the FAA private pilot written examination. Interested students can also prepare for the sport pilot exam, which prepares pilots for flying smaller, more recreational aircraft.
To enroll in the course and to receive answers to questions, contact Butler’s Continuing Education Department at 316- 681-3522.
Following is the complete Course Outline, Class Schedule and Methods of Instruction.
COURSE OUTLINE
Ground School
Course Information
Learning PACT Statement: Butler prepares students to be principled, productive individuals who are responsible, involved lifelong learners. To accomplish this goal Butler has established a Learning PACT for the skills that learners need during their career and has integrated PACT skill-building activities and assessments through a variety of program coursework, extra curricular activities, and other learning opportunities.
The BCCC Learning PACT consists of:
P = Personal Development Skills
A = Analytical Thinking Skills
C = Communication Skills
T = Technological Skills
The Learning PACT Skills are vital for any adult to function successfully in the ever changing world of the 21st century. Butler expects learners to be full partners in the learning process and as such to assume primary responsibility for their own choices.
Ground School. (Fixed wing option). Lecture/discussion 2.5 hours per week. Prerequisite: None. The class covers topics including navigation, meteorology, radio communication, radio navigation, theory of flight, federal air regulations and related subjects. Upon successful completion of the class the student should be able to pass the FAA private pilot written exam for fixed wing aircraft.
Required Textbook:
The Complete Private Pilot, Gardner, Bob. Tenth edition, ASA, 2007
ISBN 978-1-56027-611-1 (If newer edition is available we will adopt new textbook)
Optional: (I have a few to practice with and am willing to loan for test)
Electronic Flight Computer CX-1a Pathfinder, ASA-CX-1A or equivalent-used to figure all cross country trips.
Plotter ASA-CP-1LX or equivalent-Equipment essential tool for every pilot to have for maps.
Private Pilot Test Prep ASA or equivalent.
Course Objectives:
At the successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of aircraft components, systems and instruments
- Describe airplane components and flight controls
- Explain the electrical system, vacuum system, and lubrication and fuel system.
- Identify flight instruments – function, markings, and limitations.
2. Describe the basic aerodynamics to gain an understanding of the principles of airplane flight
- Define the four forces
- Describe the airfoils
- State the factors affecting lift and drag
- Describe the three axes
- Define torque
- Explain propeller factor
- Explain adverse yaw
- Explain gyroscopic procession.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of aircraft flight
- Describe take-off, cruise, turns and landing.
- Describe the four forces in all above circumstances
- Understand load factors in basic maneuvers
4. Demonstrate a working knowledge to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) for aircraft
- Examine the major sections of the POH and where to find information
- Discuss the performance sections of the POH.
5. Aircraft components and systems
- Understand basics of Airframe and powerplant
- Discuss engine operation
- Review aircraft systems and flight instruments
6. Demonstrate a working knowledge to weight and balance theory and sample calculations
- Define weight and balance
- Compute sample weight and balance calculations
- Examine weight and balance management.
7. Demonstrate a basic understanding of weather elements and their importance to the pilot
- Describe the earth’s atmosphere
- Understand temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity
- Discuss wind, clouds and atmospheric stability.
8. Demonstrate a working knowledge of basic weather elements
- Describe air masses
- Examine fronts
- Examine turbulence
- Describe structural icing
- Examine thunderstorms.
9. Learn to interpret and apply aviation reports and forecasts prepared by the National weatherservice
- Evaluate methods of collecting weather data
- Examine prior/current weather conditions
- Interpret forecast
- Interpret METAR and TAF codes.
10. Operate the flight computer and its use in navigational computations
- Calculate true air speed (TAS)
- Calculate time distance problems
- Compute density altitude
- Compute fuel consumption problems
- Compute wind and heading problems.
11. Demonstrate the use of the Airman’s Information Manual (AIM) and other information available to the pilot
- Retrieve information from AIM
- Interpret the data in the airport facility directory
- Interpret the advisory circular system
- Interpret NOTAM.
12. Demonstrate an understanding of airport operations and facilities and the servicesavailable to pilots
- Explain markings of airports and heliports
- Explain the appropriate procedures operating at airports
- Explain radio communications and appropriate frequencies
- Describe Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities and services
- Describe the Flight Service Station (FSS)
- Identify emergency procedures and frequencies and transponder codes.
13. Discuss visual flight rules (VFR) charts and the navigation plotter and their use in planning andconducting cross-country flights
- Interpret sectional charts
- Operate the navigation plotter to determine courses
- Application of types of navigation procedures.
14. Discuss radio navigation and its application in cross-country flight
- Explain the very high frequency (VHF), omnidirectional range system (VOR)
- Explain the distance measuring equipment (DME)
- Discuss area navigation (RNAV)
- Discuss automatic direction finder (ADF)
- Discuss the global positioning systems (GPS)
- Explain air traffic control (ATC).
15. Practice the subjects of previous objectives into planning of cross-country flights
- Complete chart selection
- Interpret weather briefings and course selection
- Complete a navigational log
- Obtain information for the destination airports
- Develop a VFR flight plan.
17. Review the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) discussed as an integral part of previous objectives and introduce other regulations applicable to the private pilot’s certification. In addition, the student will be introduced to physiological and psychological factors which can affect the comfort and safety of the pilot and his/hers passengers
- Explain applicable FAR 61, 91, NTSB 830
- Outline physiological considerations
- Outline psychological considerations.
Class Schedule:
Flight Saturday: 8:30AM – ????? Date TBD (April?) Rain date one week later, same time.
Class 1: September 14: Introductions, Scope of Class, Assignment #1 read Lesson 1.
Class 2: September 21 Lesson One: Aerodynamics. Assignment #2 read Lesson 2.
Class 3: September 28: Lesson Two: The airplane/Aircraft systems. Assignment #3 read Lesson 3.
Class 4: October 5: Lesson Three: Flight Instruments. Assignment #4 read Lesson 4.
Class 5: October 12: Lesson Four: FAA Regulations. Assignment #5 read Lesson 5.
Class 6: October 19: Lesson Five: Airport Operations. Assignment #6 read Lesson 6
Class 7: October 26: Lesson Six: Weather. Assignment #7 read Lesson 7.
Class 8: November 2 : Lesson Seven: Weather Services. Assignment #8 read Lesson 8.
Class 9: November 9: Lesson Eight: Aircraft Performance. Assignment #9 read Lesson 9
Class 10: November 16: Lesson Nine: En route Flight. Assignment #10 read Lesson 10.
No class November 23: Thanksgiving Holiday
Class 11:November 30: Lesson Ten: Navigation. Assignment #11 read Lesson 11.
Class 12: December 7: Lesson Eleven: Communications Procedures. Assignment #12
Read Lesson 12. Review/Questions
This concludes the formal portion of the class. The student now needs to practice several online private pilot practice exams. Once mastery of the material is demonstrated, then I, the ground instructor, will sign off the student to take to Private Pilot Written (online) Exam. Passing that with a score of 70 or better, the student will have 24 months to complete pilot training.
Methods of Instructions:
The following teaching/learning activities will assist students to achieve course objectives: lecture,
class discussion, group activities, computer simulations, field trips(Flight Saturday), textbook reading assignments and exercises.
Class Instructor, Dr. Robert Kuhns holds an Earned Doctorate from Oklahoma State University in Higher Education with an emphasis in Aviation. Presently he is the Director of Butler of McConnell AFB, Kansas. An aircraft owner for 25 years, Kuhns is instrument rated and holds all FAA flight Ground Instructor ratings.
Dr. Kuhns has instructed aviation classes for Butler Community College, Wichita State University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Dr. Kuhns has served on committies for ERAU for the Graduate Capstone Project both as chair and committee member.
Dr. Kuhns formerly was Director of Education at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.