PBRCA Pilot Instruction Program

This program is a result of combining the best elements from many different sources into one that is tailored to the needs of our club. The goal of this program is to provide effective training for the student while minimizing the instructors time.

Instructors

The traditional method of instruction has been for the student to seek out an experienced pilot to “take them up” on a buddy box. The advantage to this approach is that you don’t need to organize a roster of instructors and a schedule to establish who is on duty.

The disadvantage is that a new member or guest may not know anyone out at the field and may be hesitant to approach other pilots. To assist the student in finding an instructor, there is a “dry erase” board on the side of the impound shack. Any pilot that is available for instruction will simply write their name on the board. This makes it easier for the student in that they can ask around for someone by name.

The Lessons

Once introductions have been made, the instructor usually asks the student a series of questions to determine their skill level and what they need to be working on. The problem with this is that every instructor will use a different approach to developing the student’s skills. Because a student may have a different instructor each time, he or she may get conflicting information. To make sure each student gets the same information regardless of the instructor, a standardized format is needed.

The Workbook

Each student will be given a “Pilots Log” which will be their workbook. This book contains all the information they will need to develop their skills and earn a “Solo Pilot Rating”.

The Pilots Log contains the following:

1. Check list of the tasks that need to be mastered to receive a Solo Pilot Rating.
2. A description of the tasks.
3. Diagrams of the maneuvers.
4. A satellite photo of the field outlining the flying area and no fly zones.
5. The current PBRCA Field Safety Rules.
6. The current AMA Safety Code.

The student will keep the workbook and bring it with them to the field. As each skill is mastered, the instructor will “sign off” on that particular task indicating that the student has completed that lesson. When an instructor meets a student pilot for the first time, a quick look at his or her workbook will show which skills need to be worked on.

The final check flight will be witnessed by two (2) club members (including a BOD member if possible) with a current “Solo Pilots Rating”. After a successful check flight, the student will receive a diploma and the Club Secretary will issue the student a new membership card indicating their Solo Pilot rating.