AUTOMATION MANAGEMENT
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. The presentation describes techniques for selecting the best level of automation for the task at hand. Workflows to efficiently take command of the flight management systems (Garmin & Avidyne FMS) and autopilots (S-TEC, DFC, GFC) are discussed. Typical Autopilot Gotchas and Best Practices for mastering the different automation modes are covered. Final thoughts include “Automation Management Golden Rules” from the best practices guides used by the airlines and Airbus. Duration: 90 minutes.
GNS/GTN FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. The class describes system components, navigation source selection, sequencing and non-sequencing (OBS) modes, managing flight plan and GPS scaling. The Tips and Tricks section includes recipes for best usage of default page, programming frequencies, airport Information, nearest and terrain pages, vertical navigation, user waypoints and trip planning. Duration: 90 minutes.
GNS/GTN INSTRUMENT PROCEDURES
This is an Advanced Topic class. The class describes in detail how to program and fly an instrument approach with the Garmin GNS430 or GTN650 navigators. It describes different types of approaches and includes sections about loading and briefing approaches, activating approaches, vectors to final, how to fly approaches with step-down fixes, using GPS on non-GPS approaches, checks required before final approach fix and flying missed approach. Duration: 90 minutes.
AVIDYNE IFD / R9 INSTRUMENT PROCEDURES
This is an Advanced Topic class. The class describes in detail how to program and fly an instrument approach with the Avidyne IFD navigators or with the Entegra R9 integrated cockpit. It describes different types of approaches and includes sections about loading and briefing approaches, activating approaches, vectors to final, how to fly approaches with step-down fixes, using GPS on non-GPS approaches, checks required before final approach fix and flying missed approach. Duration: 90 minutes.
PERSPECTIVE FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. The class walks you through the Perspective / Perspective+ and G1000/nxi systems and system components, navigation source selection, sequencing and non-sequencing (OBS) modes, managing flight plan and GPS scaling. The Tips and Tricks section includes recipes for best usage of default page, programming frequencies, airport Information, nearest and terrain pages, vertical navigation, user waypoints and trip planning. Duration: 90 minutes.
PERSPECTIVE INSTRUMENT PROCEDURES
This is an Advanced Topic class. The class describes in detail how to program and fly an instrument approach with the Garmin Perspective / Perspective+ or G1000 / Nxi systems. It describes different types of approaches and includes sections about loading and briefing approaches, activating approaches, vectors to final, how to fly approaches with step-down fixes, using GPS on non-GPS approaches, checks required before final approach fix and flying missed approach. Duration: 90 minutes.
PERSPECTIVE TRAPS AND MALFUNCTIONS
This is an Advanced Topic class. This class includes a description of Cirrus Perspective behavior during GPS malfunctions and follows with a discussion of common Garmin traps and pilot mistakes. While the class focuses on the Cirrus Perspective, most subjects apply to other Garmin FMS systems such as GNS430, GTN650, and Touch+ (G7). The GPS outage section starts with WAAS outages, describes avionics behavior, and recommends pilot actions depending on when the outage occurs. The Garmin traps section includes a discussion of known Garmin traps causing common pilot mistakes and how to recover from them. Duration: 90 minutes.
CIRRUS SR2X SYSTEMS
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. The presentation describes in detail all the major components of the Cirrus SR20, SR22 and SR22 T/TN aircraft. In particular, the best ways to understand and/or identify an issue a system might be experiencing are discussed, and when a fault has been identified, the best way to prioritize its urgency is described. Duration: 90 minutes.
FLY THE MIXTURE KNOB
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. The presentation explores in depth the effects of mixture management on engine performance and metrics. It focuses heavily on the normally aspirated SR22 engine. This is simply because it is the most difficult engine in the fleet to manage correctly. It will leave the pilot with methods and tools to better understand how to select a mixture target that yields high power and cool cylinder temperatures. Duration: 90 minutes
MASTERING AIRCRAFT OWNERSHIP - ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS FROM AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. Not all aircraft mechanics and inspectors are pilots – some are, and some are experienced pilots. This presentation is about how a very experienced mechanic and pilot would teach you flying from a mechanic’s perspective. Naturally this view is biased – but that’s the beauty of this presentation. A mechanic does some things different from a flight instructor, starting with flight planning via pre-flight run-ups and flight execution, especially if it’s the first flight after maintenance, to monitoring your engine and cooling it down after landing. Duration: 90 minutes.
OPEN THE COWLING LAB
After an Engine or Airframe Maintenance class, you will walk out to the ramp and assist opening a cowling of an SR20 or 22. This will NOT turn you into an A&P, and we do not suggest you doing any maintenance on your own. However, to better understand the different mechanical parts and how they work together, it’s important to have an open cowling and an A&P who would explain to you what you see and feel:
POWERPLANT MAINTENANCE
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. Owning and managing an aircraft engine is a complex process. In this presentation you will learn about common maintenance events and intervals, examine areas of frequent repair and examine an aircraft engine compartment. Remove some of the mystery from the maintenance process by learning how to access the technical publications. Duration: 90 minutes.
TURBO ENGINE MANAGEMENT
This is an Advanced Topic Class. Understanding the Turbo Engine and exploring the engine management options available to the pilot are the main topics of this presentation. The differences between normalizing and charging systems are explained. The consequences of pumping hot, pressurized air into the engine are discussed. The equipment – the turbo itself, the exhaust system, the controllers, waste gates and other components are described. Duration: 90 minutes.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OIL ANALYSIS, DATA ANALYSIS AND BORESCOPE
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. This class focuses on the in-flight use of on-board engine management systems and how to use them to spot issues and how to get the maximum value from them. The attendees will be introduced to methods to read and interpret the data to identify problems both in-flight and with post flight tools. - Oil is not only lubricating and cooling your engine – it also will accumulate moisture, fuel, microscopic particles and other impurities. So the oil can tell a story if regularly analyzed – about cylinder wear, corrosion, developing valve issues, and how you are operating your engine. - Finally, the presentation introduces the use of a Borescope to assess the health of your engine by knowing what to look for. Most important, the necessary vocabulary is introduced so that you will better understand what your mechanic is talking about. Duration: 90 minutes.
ACCIDENT DATA AND TRAINING PRIORITIES
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. Safety results from combination of: Proficiency and Good Judgment. COPA University studies each accident report to identify threats and errors. This data steers our COPA-U course development. The objectives of this class are to discuss threats, errors, and corrective actions taken or, more typically, not taken. Examples for individual flight analysis and fleet analysis are provided. Duration: 90 minutes.
HOW STRESS KILLS INFLIGHT AERONAUTICAL DECISION MAKING (ADM)
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. Join this presentation to better understand why accidents happen and how to avoid. Most accidents are the result of pilot decisions and such decisions are strongly influenced by the stress level under which they were made. This class introduces recent knowledge about human performance and limitations in stressful situations and uses 2 case studies about decision making gone wrong as a platform for developing better ways to fly safely. Duration: 90 minutes.
8 SECONDS TO SUCCESS
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. Recent accident history for all aircraft shows that many – far too many – mishaps have occurred during approach, in the traffic pattern, or when landing. This presentation identifies the major reasons for mishaps in the traffic pattern and describes how to best avoid. Particular focus is on the last eight seconds of the landing sequence. Duration: 90 minutes.
ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. Incident scenarios happen when they are least expected. In this presentation 10 selected problems are discussed, from Aircraft Smoke and Fire via Electrical Malfunctions, Abnormal Engine Indications, Power Lever & Linkage Failure, Landing Gear Malfunctions, Flap and Aileron Failure Scenarios, Turbo Failures to High Altitude Emergencies. Duration: 90 minutes.
AoA - REVEALING THE LOST MESSAGE OF "STICK & RUDDER"
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. Today, in general aviation the angle of attack indicator has become much maligned by an industry that largely doesn’t understand its purpose. The airlines do. The military does. And business jets right down to the Cirrus Vision Jet are all equipped with Angle of Attack Indicators. Discover the simple nature of flying by and using angle of attack indicators. Duration: 90 minutes.
INFLIGHT WEATHER TACTICS
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. Weather is very complicated and a mystery to many pilots but you don’t have to be a meteorologist to gather and understand information needed for safe flight. Recognizing weather patterns from the cockpit results in enhanced Aeronautical Decision Making. Use of eyes, forecasts, satellite and stormscope systems allow the pilot to make smart in-flight choices. Thunderstorms, icing, and turbulence – how to detect and how to get out is discussed in detail. Particularly, the presentation will give you a better understanding of what in-cockpit weather is, how helpful it is, and what the limitations are. Duration: 90 minutes.
WEATHER - BIG PICTURE
This is an Essential Knowledge Class. This class deals with basic concepts of weather, fronts, highs, lows, etc. It explains the charts that will show you the “Big Picture” and gives you advice how to get this information. The class is recommended as a prerequisite for all further weather classes. Duration: 90 minutes.
WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM TACTICS
This is an Advanced Topics Class. IFR Operations are challenging. Add inflight thunderstorms and challenging goes to life threatening. This presentation will help to bring you up to speed on tactical best practices for coping with inflight thunderstorms. Focus areas will include: how not get into thunderstorms and how to develop valid, realistic escape plans. Duration: 90 minutes.