Beyond the Checkride: Flight Basics Your Instructor Never Taught You, Second Edition

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR NEW PILOTS--FULLY UPDATED!

Covering the latest FAA regulations, Beyond the Checkride, Second Edition, is packed with invaluable lessons learned by trial and error based on the real-life experiences of hundreds of pilots. Originally written by legendary flight instructor Howard Fried and thoroughly revised by veteran pilot Gene Gailey, this practical resource takes you, step by step, through a flight from the perspective of a flight examiner. Learn from other pilots' mistakes--it's easier and safer, and it could even save your life.

FEATURES UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE OF:

• Rarely taught basics, including maneuvering speed, propeller safety, night flying, and more
• Paperwork and other requirements
• Pilot certificates and ratings
• Human factors that affect flying, including fatigue and emotions
• Flight safety and accident prevention
• Aircraft control
• Surviving spins, stalls, spirals, and more
• Flying advanced aircraft
• Weather conditions
• Air traffic control
• FAA regulations

Introduction
Chapter 1 Basics Rarely Taught Completely
Maneuvering Speed
Co-Author’s Corner: Maneuvering Speed
Weight and Balance
Co-Author’s Corner: Weight and Balance
Touch-and-Go Landings
Co-Author’s Corner: Touch-and-Go Landings
Perfect Landings
Co-Author’s Corner: Perfect Landings
Propeller Safety
Co-Author’s Corner: Propeller Safety
Grass Runways
Co-Author’s Corner: Grass Runways
Night Flying
Co-Author’s Corner: Night Flying
VFR Cross-Country Flying
Co-Author’s Corner: VFR Cross-Country Flying
Chapter 2 Paperwork and Other Requirements
Passenger Briefings
Co-Author’s Corner: Passenger Briefings
Checklists and Paperwork
Co-Author’s Corner: Checklists and Paperwork
Aircraft Registration
The Airplane Flight Manual
Service Bulletins and Airworthiness Directives
Minimum Required Equipment
Co-Author’s Corner: Minimum Required Equipment
Chapter 3 Pilot Certificates and Ratings
The Ratings Collector
Co-Author’s Corner: The Ratings Collector
The “Biennial” Flight Review
Co-Author’s Corner: The “Biennial” Flight Review
Compensating the Private Pilot
Co-Author’s Corner: Compensating the Private Pilot
Compensating the Commercial Pilot
Co-Author’s Corner: Compensating the Commercial Pilot
The Instrument Pilot Rating
Flying Taildraggers
Flying Multiengine Aircraft
Soaring—and the Incredible Glider
Seaplane Aircraft and Rating—Pure Fun
Co-Author’s Corner: Seaplane Aircraft and Rating—Pure Fun
Flying Aerobatic Aircraft—More Pure Fun
Portrait of an Aerobatic Champion—and Friend
Chapter 4 Human Factors That Affect Flying
Human Factors and Dangerous Attitudes
Co-Author’s Corner: Human Factors and Dangerous Attitudes
Invulnerability
Anti-Authority
Impulsivity
Resignation
Macho Feelings—and Where They Will Get You
Summarizing Hazardous Attitudes
Chapter 5 Am I Up to Flying Today?
Can an Accident Even Happen to Me?
The “IMSAFE” Self-Safety Check
Flight Safety Programs
Co-Author’s Corner: Flight Safety Programs
Confession Time
Cockpit Resource Management
Staying Ahead of the Airplane
Chapter 6 Controlling the Airplane
Smooth, Stable, and Coordinated Flight
Fundamentals of Aircraft Control
Ground Reference Maneuvers
Proper Trimming
Using the Sight Picture
Using Your Senses During Flight
Power and the Throttle
Leaning the Mixture
Minimum Controllable Airspeed
Chapter 7 Spins, Stalls, Spirals, and More
Stalls—Training That Can Be a Lifesaver
Should Spins Be Taught in Primary Training?
The Steep Spiral—Something to Avoid
Cloud Disorientation—How to Avoid It
Crash Survival—A Good Goal to Have
Co-Author’s Corner: Crash Survival—A Good Goal to Have
Chapter 8 Flying Advanced Aircraft
Advanced Aircraft Checkouts
Co-Author’s Corner: Advanced Aircraft Checkouts
Initial Training in Highly Sophisticated Aircraft
Co-Author’s Corner: Initial Training in Highly Sophisticated Aircraft
Know Your Flight Systems
Using Your Resources
Chapter 9 Weather—What to Make of It
Weather Forecasting—Call Me in the Morning
Ice—Even the Word Should Make You Sweat
Thunderstorms—and This Word Should Make You Tremble
Fog—Sometimes It’s Almost Predictable
How to Get the Best Weather Information
The Value of PIREPS
Chapter 10 Air Traffic Control
The Air Traffic Control System
Flight Service Stations—Service Is Their Middle Name
The DF Steer—Help for Lost Pilots
The Control Tower
Approach and Departure Control
En Route—Moving Right Along
Clearances
It Pays to Be Respectful
The Pilot Is Responsible
Chapter 11 Additional Flying Information
Buying a Used Airplane
Co-Author’s Corner: Buying a Used Airplane
Flying with Your Pet
Nervous Passengers
Curious Passengers
Flight—An Unnatural Activity
Chapter 12 The Federal Aviation Administration
The Letter of Investigation
Violation Procedures
Revoked—Causes Four-Letter Words
The NASA Report—Help When You Need It
Co-Author’s Corner: The NASA Report—Help When You Need It
Violation Alternatives
Violation Enforcement—A Case History
Was I Cleared to Enter Bravo Airspace?
Chapter 13 Commercial Flying—Paid to Fly
Commercial Operations
Co-Author’s Corner: Commercial Operations
The Corporate Structure and Pilot
Cargo Pilots
Charter Pilots
The Specialty Pilot
The Professional Flight Instructor
Flight Instructors and Their VA Benefits
Chapter 14 More Avenues of Flight
The Challenge—What to Do Next
The Civil Air Patrol—On a Mission
Volunteer Medical Flights
Air Racing in America
Flying to Distant Locations
The Pinch-Hitter Program
The Road to the Airline’s Left Seat
Joining the Airlines—Three Case Histories
Aviation and the Often Confused Media
Handling Bad Press
General Aviation—Safe or Dangerous?
Airline Disasters—These Stats Are Constantly Improving
Chapter 15 Things Pilots Need to Consider
Who’s Pilot in Command?
Co-Author’s Corner: Who’s Pilot in Command?
Seeking Legal Justice for a Student Pilot
Responsibility Under the Law
Prejudice in Aviation
The Value of Anticipation and Preparation
Controlled Flight into Terrain
The 609 Ride
Rattlesnake 39—A Vietnam Helicopter Rescue
Chapter 16 Learning from Others’ Mistakes
Co-Author’s Corner: Always Be Prepared for the Unexpected
Co-Author’s Corner: Preflighting—Beyond the Checklist
Co-Author’s Corner: Aircraft Fires—Preparation Will Pay Off
Co-Author’s Corner: Radio Communication Accidents
Co-Author’s Corner: Your Aircraft’s Mechanic
Co-Author’s Corner: More About the FAA and the AIM
Conclusion
Glossary
Bibliography
Index