Piper Cheyenne Initial Aircraft Training
Formal training consists of a series of organized lessons starting with a review of the pre-work to ensure an adequate working knowledge of the basics. From there, each lesson builds on the prior one. Through this series of training scenarios you are introduced to all of the Twin Cessna systems, its performance characteristics, each of the normal, abnormal and emergency procedures, as well as the various servicing and handling procedures for the Twin Cessna.
As the lessons progress, you will transition from learning to performing and ultimately to demonstrating competence. The course is designed for an experienced multi engine pilot holding at least a Private Pilot Certificate with an Instrument rating with who has 500 to 1500 hours of overall experience, has at least 100 hours of multi engine time and who has flow 100 or more hours in the previous 12 months.
It also assumes at least a working knowledge of the basic aircraft instrumentation package including Auto Pilot, Flight Director, HSI or EHSI, GPS, Moving Maps, MFD and so forth. Each course will be tailored to the specifics of your aircraft. Should your requirements include transition to "glass" (G600/500 or similar systems), the course will be tailored to include that training and additional time will most likely be required.
As the lessons progress, you will transition from learning to performing and ultimately to demonstrating competence. The course is designed for an experienced multi engine pilot holding at least a Private Pilot Certificate with an Instrument rating with who has 500 to 1500 hours of overall experience, has at least 100 hours of multi engine time and who has flow 100 or more hours in the previous 12 months.
It also assumes at least a working knowledge of the basic aircraft instrumentation package including Auto Pilot, Flight Director, HSI or EHSI, GPS, Moving Maps, MFD and so forth. Each course will be tailored to the specifics of your aircraft. Should your requirements include transition to "glass" (G600/500 or similar systems), the course will be tailored to include that training and additional time will most likely be required.
The course itself consists of 5 individual lessons. Those lessons are covered over the course of 4 days (3 days for the 310).
Each lesson consists of a pre-flight ground session in which the scenario is reviewed including flight details, goals for the lesson, clarification of systems and processes to be worked on and flight details need to complete the flight planning process.
Typical flight lessons consist of 3 separate cross country legs (a triangle trip) with cruise times of at least 30 to 45 minutes.
Each lesson consists of a pre-flight ground session in which the scenario is reviewed including flight details, goals for the lesson, clarification of systems and processes to be worked on and flight details need to complete the flight planning process.
Typical flight lessons consist of 3 separate cross country legs (a triangle trip) with cruise times of at least 30 to 45 minutes.
After completing the briefing, flight preparations and planning process, these scenarios are designed to introduce you to the basic procedures from weight and balance to pre-flight inspection, engine start, taxi, run-up and so forth. During this session you will practice the application of all the normal procedures for operating your aircraft over the course of three individuals VFR flights at various altitudes. Each flight segment will provide the opportunity to become familiar with the aircraft handling characteristics and begin introducing you to its systems as you are shown how to operate them and then practice doing so.
This set of flights focuses on transitioning from VFR to IFR flight including planning both on the ground and airborne. You will practice utilizing the avionics, the flight management, the information systems as well as the flight automation systems. These scenarios are designed to complete your introduction to the aircraft systems and normal procedures, giving you the opportunity for hands on practice over the course of three flights at various altitudes with cruise time of approximately 1 hour each.
ABNORMAL PROCEDURES: These scenarios will introduce abnormal procedures in which you will experience a variety of system malfunctions and failures. Each failure will be discussed during the pre-flight briefing along with appropriate responses and then be introduced to you during the course of the day's flying. While each flight will be a cross country IFR flight at typical cruise altitudes, time will be taken between each leg to review the experience of the previous leg and set the stage for the next one.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: This lesson will start with a review of abnormal procedures then move into emergency procedures. All flights will start as cross country missions incorporating situations that have historically lead to issues. These scenarios will provide the opportunity to practice and adhere to all of the major emergency procedures established for your Twin Cessna. As with previous sessions, each flight will be briefed including what will happen, how to respond to it and you will be expected to discuss the appropriate responses to each situation on the ground as well as follow those procedures with minimal coaching, in the air.
PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER: The final lesson of the series, like all previous lessons will consist of three cross country flights built around realistic scenarios. Each scenario will be reviewed prior to the flight and you will be expected to complete the flight with little or no assistance from the instructor.
The PT will plan the flight profile and perform all preflight procedures, engine start-up, avionics set-up, taxi and before-Take-off procedures. This is accomplished prior to Take-off for each leg of the flight. Runway incursions, ground operations, collision avoidance, abnormal indications, and corrective actions should be performed without assistance from your instructor. At this point, all decisions affecting the operation of these flights are to be made by you while employing appropriate aeronautical decision-making skills.
The PT will plan the flight profile and perform all preflight procedures, engine start-up, avionics set-up, taxi and before-Take-off procedures. This is accomplished prior to Take-off for each leg of the flight. Runway incursions, ground operations, collision avoidance, abnormal indications, and corrective actions should be performed without assistance from your instructor. At this point, all decisions affecting the operation of these flights are to be made by you while employing appropriate aeronautical decision-making skills.
You will initiate a normal Take-off and initial climb manually then fly the DP with an autopilot-assisted departure. Then you will perform a DP utilizing the GPS inputs to the HSI and MFD for situational awareness. The autopilot will be disengaged prior to cruise with entry into cruise accomplished manually. The first leg should proceed under Basic Attitude Instrument (BAI) flying conditions. In cruise you will execute the proper procedures for an in-flight pressurization system failures, gradual and rapid decompression, followed by and emergency descent, and for power plant failures and responses to restore power. Airspeed and configuration changes will be practiced during transitions from one phase of flight to another both manually and with auto-flight assistance. You will plan and perform an instrument approach as appropriate (ILS or GPS) at the first airport followed with an autopilot assisted missed approach with GPS navigation to the hold and then a hand-flown non-precision approach with a landing gear failure and manual gear extension, to a full-stop landing.
On this leg you will perform a normal Take-off and autopilot assisted departure. In cruise you will perform the proper procedures for handling a critical engine power loss, control surface failures, and a complete electrical failure, maintaining control of the aircraft by sole reference to the compass, altimeter and airspeed indicator. With critical engine feathered and primary instruments inoperative, you will plan and perform a GPS hold to descent followed by a GPS instrument approach at the second airport to a full-stop landing.
On this final leg, you will perform a normal Take-off and autopilot assisted departure. The IFR flight plan will be cancelled and the 3rd leg will proceed under VFR with flight flowing. You will perform recovery from unusual attitudes; perform the procedure for an emergency descent and a diversion to the home airport. As you approach the terminal area you will perform a GPS assisted VFR entry into the downwind pattern with a midfield single engine failure and in the pattern followed by landing to a full stop. After clearing the runway you will taxi back and perform a normal closed traffic pattern take-off followed by a brake system failure to a 50% flap landing, utilizing appropriate aeronautical decision making and single pilot resource management techniques to minimize the extent of the abnormal situation and safely execute a full stop landing. You will then taxi back and, with all systems restored, perform a second traffic pattern with a zero-flap landing to a full stop.
The FAA requirement for ongoing learning or continuous education can be satisfied through a number of options including attending safety seminars, adding a rating to your existing certificate, participating in online courses or by simply getting together with a certified flight instructor and going through a "BFR". Many pilots simply choose the "BFR" route and often this is accomplished in conjunction with some other training event such as an initial aircraft course.
* Ground requirement is accomplished through any one of several means including interactive computer based training, directed video presentations or one on one classroom type discussions reviewing FAR’s, aviation safety and focusing on a pilot’s self identified areas of interest. Various online “wings” accredited programs can also satisfy the ground portions provided they are accomplished within a reasonable timeframe.
Flight training associated with the "BFR" is an opportunity to brush up on techniques, practice basic maneuvers such as slow flight and stall recovery along with emergency procedures. This is not a “check-ride” but rather a chance to reinforce basics, perhaps learn new techniques and expand your airmanship skill inventory. The length of time involved must be at least one hour of flight time.
This is sometimes referred to as in Instrument Competency Check (ICC) in the insurance world. In short, it is an informal refresher for those pilots who don’t regularly log actual IMC and/or actual IFR approaches. It can also be used to get reacquainted with a specific instrument panel layout or become familiar with a new type of instrument such as an HSI/EHSI or a Flight Director system. Insurance companies occasionally require an ICC prior to issuing coverage to an IFR rated pilot purchasing an airplane. This is especially true when the new airplane has a more advanced cockpit with GPS systems, multi function displays and/or EFIS systems. Most commonly however, an ICC is used to simply restore IFR currency.
* Ground requirement is accomplished through any one of several means including interactive computer based training, directed video presentations or one on one classroom type discussions reviewing FAR’s, aviation safety and focusing on a pilot’s self identified areas of interest. Various online “wings” accredited programs can also satisfy the ground portions provided they are accomplished within a reasonable timeframe.
Flight training associated with the "BFR" is an opportunity to brush up on techniques, practice basic maneuvers such as slow flight and stall recovery along with emergency procedures. This is not a “check-ride” but rather a chance to reinforce basics, perhaps learn new techniques and expand your airmanship skill inventory. The length of time involved must be at least one hour of flight time.
This is sometimes referred to as in Instrument Competency Check (ICC) in the insurance world. In short, it is an informal refresher for those pilots who don’t regularly log actual IMC and/or actual IFR approaches. It can also be used to get reacquainted with a specific instrument panel layout or become familiar with a new type of instrument such as an HSI/EHSI or a Flight Director system. Insurance companies occasionally require an ICC prior to issuing coverage to an IFR rated pilot purchasing an airplane. This is especially true when the new airplane has a more advanced cockpit with GPS systems, multi function displays and/or EFIS systems. Most commonly however, an ICC is used to simply restore IFR currency.
You will receive a Twin Cessna workbook appropriate to your model. You will go through and complete the workbook prior to beginning one-on-one training. Included in the pre-work package is a thumb drive containing, where available, an electronic copy of the aircraft training/information manual which is a "generic" version of the Twin Cessna "POH" appropriate to your aircraft, training presentations on systems and procedures along with electronic versions of the pilot manuals and quick reference guides for most, if not all of the major components in your aircraft.