Stage Checks

Tizi
Jul 20, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Aug 23, 2024

"Have a what ready?" - Student pilot

Although a stage check is an exam, my role as a stage check instructor is to make sure you connect the dots. As such, please communicate clearly with me - I am here to help you. Don't hesitate to ask questions or clarifications. A stage check should NOT be a surprise.

NOTE: For all stage checks, I expect to see clear evidence of the following:

Checklist usage
Runway Incursion Awareness
Aeronautical Decision Making
Safety Culture & Risk Management
Crew Resource Management

Private Pilot (PPL)

Stage 1 - Basic High Altitude Maneuvers

GROUND (1.5)

Written Exam Completed
- Review missed questions
Approaching a flight - PAVE & IMSAFE
Runway Incursions
Aeronautical Decision Making
Documents required to act as PIC
Aeromedical factors

FLIGHT (1.0 & 0.3 IFR)

Preflight
Departure brief
Normal Takeoff (instructor assisted - but I expect you to be able to takeoff)
Cosntant speed climb (Vy)
IFR turns
Slow Flight
Stalls
Steep Turns
Collision Avoidance
Use of Sectional
Single-pilot resource management

Stage 2 - Ground Reference Maneuvers and Solo Flight

GROUND (2.0)

Written Exam Completed
- Review missed questions
Discussion on ground speed, indicated airspeed, and true airspeed
- Be ready to discuss relevance of structural limits based on airspeed
Weight & Balance Completed (Tizi weighs 180 lbs - if you call me fat you fail the stage check...)
Aircraft Stability & Control
Review of 14 CFR 61.93 - cross country requirements

FLIGHT (1.0 & 0.3 IFR)

Preflight
Departure Brief
Normal Takeoff
Navigation to some field using VOR navigation under the hood
Multiple landings at some field
- RTO
- Impossible Turn (if not done with instructor)
S-Turns
Stalls

Stage 3 - VFR Navigation

GROUND (1.5)

Written Exam Completed
- Review missed questions
Prepare a NAVLOG for a close-by airport (student's discretion) - either paper or via an EFB
- Be ready to discuss courses, headings, tracks, magnetic, true, etc.
Purpose of a VFR Flight Plan
Weight & Balance
Required information before a flight

FLIGHT (1.0)

Normal takeoff
Execution of the flight plan to the first available point
- If WX does not support, just aim for Tybee
- Be ready to compute ATE, ATA, Actual Fuel Used and Actual Fuel Remaining
Maneuvers (steep turns, slow flight, stalls)
Lost procedures
Navigation back to Savannah via VOR
Normal Landing

Instrument Rating (IR)

Stage 1 - Precision Flying

GROUND (1.5)

Written Exam Completed
- Review missed questions
Flying the attitude indicator (positive and back side of the power curve)
Unusual Attitude recovery
Precision Flying (IFR tolerances)

FLIGHT (1.5)

Instrument Check
Short-field takeoff
Climbs, turns, descents, level (precision and compass turns)
PPL maneuvers (stalls, slow flight, steep turns)
Unusual attitudes
Patterns B, G, J, H
RNAV (GPS) Approach
Student to be ready to execute any RNAV approach

Stage 2 - Radials and Tracks

GROUND (1.5)

Written Exam Completed
- Review missed questions
Description of RNAV and National Airspace System
Description of VORs and Airways
Description of GPS
Review of an approach plate

FLIGHT (1.5)

Plan a flight
- KSAV to KSAV via ALD using airways
Instrument Check
Intercepting and tracking a VOR
VOR checks
Changeover Points
Navigation using IFR low chart
Unusual attitudes during navigation
RNAV (GPS) Approach
Student to be ready to execute any RNAV approach from an IAF

Stage 3 - Holding Patterns [IFR]

GROUND (1.5)

Written Exam Completed
- Review missed questions
Weather
- Fronts
- Fog
Hold Entry Procedures
Hold in lieu of a procedure turn
Show how to build and file an IFR flight plan
File one of these depending on WX:
- KSAV SAV V437 KELER KSAV
- KSAV SAV V185 SPONG KSAV
- KSAV SAV V437 CINBA KSAV
- KSAV SAV V154 MAYAR KSAV
- NOTE: In the remarks write: TIZI BERNARD PIC CFII