Pinch Hitter Course
NAFC offers an introduction to the airplane to the non flying member of your family. The non-flier becomes proficient in airwork, navigation, communication, and landing. The scenario trained is for an emergency. This means if the pilot is unable to perform the pilot in command duties, the non-flier must “pinch hit” for the pilot. Therefore, the student will have all lessons from the right seat.
The 5 lessons have a ground and flight portion. The flights and lessons may not be an equal number. Lessons are not complete until standards are met. Each lesson may take several flights to gain complete proficiency
Lesson One – The airplane
In this lesson the student will become familiar with the airplane, its controls, and flight characteristics.
Ground:
- Principles of flight
- Instruments
Flight:
- Four basics of flight -
- Straight and Level
- Turns
- Climb
- Descent
Lesson is complete when student can name all controls and instruments, and fly the four basics of flight within altitude of ± 200 feet and headings of ± 20°.
Lesson Two - Navigation
In this lesson the student will become familiar with the VOR system.
Ground:
- Sectional Chart reading
- Basic VOR
Flight:
- Review four basics of flight
- Demonstration and practice VOR intercept, homing, and tracking.
Lesson is complete when student can fly four basics of flight within altitude ± 100 feet, and within headings ± 10° while intercepting and tracking the VOR.
Lesson Three – Communication
In this lesson the student will become familiar with aircraft communication.
Ground:
- Instruction and practice of communications with ARTCC, FSS, tower and non-towered airports
- Chart review
Flight:
- Student will tune and listen to ATIS, tune and call ground control for taxi, and tower for takeoff, and reply with the correct response.
- Student will practice lessons 1 and 2, by intercepting a VOR radial while maintaining altitude, and track the assigned VOR radial.
- Student will establish contact with the FSS and ARTCC.
Lesson is complete when student can fly the assigned VOR radial, look up the appropriate frequency and make the radio call to each agency above.
Lesson Four – Take off and landing practice.
Ground:
- Explanation of the traffic pattern and procedures of each leg.
Flight:
- Take off and landing practice
Lesson is complete when student can align the aircraft on the runway center line with rudder and adjust for drift with ailerons.
Lesson Five – Take off and landing practice
Ground:
- Review the elements of the traffic pattern and procedures of each leg
Flight:
- Take off and landing practice
Lesson is complete when student can align the aircraft on the runway center line with rudder and adjust for drift with ailerons, and land the airplane.