Transition Training Syllabus

[Vac]

Walt,

Thanks for the assist. Looks like the links are working now...hopefully that remains the case!

If anyone would like a Word version or PDF, please drop a PM or e-mail.

Cheers,

Vac

[Walt]

Great document, I also posted the Syllabus on my website:

http://www.expaircraft.com/PDF/Sylla....2%20Draft.pdf

[Vac]

Thanks very much for the assist Walt!

Happy New Year,

Vac

[Vac]

Version 2.3 of the draft syllabus/transition manual is available at this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8E...ew?usp=sharing

If the google docs link above isn't working properly, the current version of the document can also be accessed at Walt's site (thanks Walt!). The link is in a previous post.

If you would like a Word or PDF version of the current draft, please drop a line.

Version 2.3 Summary of Changes

All additional material/changes are RED. Deletions are not tracked.

Added hyperlinked table of contents references to RV Rules of Thumb (Appendix C) by phase of flight to improve access. The Rules of Thumb were previously moved to the appendix to make a "reader's digest" summary easily available.

Minor editorial changes throughout to improve readability.

Replaced generic use of the term “torque” throughout the document with “engine power effects” unless the reference was specifically to the torque component of power effects.

Added several questions to open book/review examination.

Added statement regarding gear fairing drag reduction to yaw discussion and additional buffet considerations for deep stalls to RV-type aero and handling briefing guides in Part 2.

Added statement in AFTER LANDING section of NORMAL PROCEDURES section (Part 3) regarding effect of rapidly retracting flaps during a wheel landing/tail-low wheel landing for tailwheel equipped airplanes.

Modified discussion in LANDING ON AN UNPREPARED SURFACE in the EMERGENCY LANDING section of EMERGENCY PROCEDURES (Part 3).

Modified stall discussion in Part 3. Added verbiage to gear fairing effects; added verbiage to accelerated stall cues; added buffet considerations to post-stall discussions for deep and cross-controlled stalls. Added additional low-altitude recovery discussion.

Minor edits/additions to INTENTIONAL SPIN discussion in Part 3.

Modified DEEP STALL ("Falling Leaf") and CROSS-CONTROLLED STALL discussions in CONFIDENCE MANEUVERS section of Part 3.

Changed G warm-up maneuver to 2 x 180 degree turns, modified DEEP STALL and CROSS-CONTROLLED STALL, and added power modulation to over-the-top maneuvers in Aircraft Handling Briefing Guide in Appendix B.

Added optimum climb rules of thumb to Appendix C.

Fly Safe,

Vac

[Vac]

Charlie Precourt's column in the March Issue of Sport Aviation is devoted to Loss-of-Control mishaps. It references the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee's report on the same topic. There are numerous good recommendations and considerations in the report (which can be downloaded from the AOPA site here: http://download.aopa.org/advocacy/13...-committee.pdf ).

One of the recommendations in the report regards Transition Training:

"Transition training is not uniformly applied leading to accidents resulting from unfamiliarity with airframe and/or equipment. To reduce the risk of loss of control accidents, the GAJSC recommends the development of Web based tools that will aid in all aspects of transition to unfamiliar aircraft across GA [general aviation], to include ADM [Aircrew Decision Making]...to identify the risk of inadequate training when operating unfamiliar equipment."

This draft syllabus was designed to address similar objectives to the extent that is practical for an EAB type.

Our community currently has a small cadre of dedicated transition trainers as well as other experienced, independent instructors who do an excellent job of preparing folks to fly their airplanes; but it does not have an easily accessed set of training or continuing education resources available to anyone via the web (think King Schools or AOPA web-based training) specific to RV-types. It's not much of a stretch to adopt the material in a more available and useful manner for the use of our community with even limited IT resources.

If any VAF'ers familiar with web design, publication, video presentation (all of which are well outside my area of expertise) and/or training systems development and would like to help in a web-based collaboration to develop a working prototype site, I would like to hear from you.

Fly Safe,

Vac

[Vac]

AOPA has just published an online transition familiarization course. The course is generic, but provides an excellent overview of transition considerations. It has an EAB module worth a few minutes of time--especially for folks that are purchasing already flying EAB types.

The course may be accessed here: http://www.aopa.org/lms/courses/tran...ition-training

Fly Safe,

Vac

[Av8torTom]

I took the AOPA Transition course - quite worthwhile...

[Vac]

Version 2.4 of the transition training manual can be accessed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8E...ew?usp=sharing

Summary of Changes:

-Added additional hyperlinks

-Substantially revised visual pattern discussion in Part3. Provided additional diagrams, discussion and techniques. Provided detailed description of basic overhead pattern as well as basic rectangular pattern. Developed table of pattern speeds (CAS) based on published Van?s prototype data and introduced Vapp technique. Revised LANDING section (normal operations) and EMERGENCY LANDING section (emergency operations) in Part 3. Edited appropriate sections of handling briefing in Appendix B.

If you would like a Word version or PDF of the current document, please drop a line. As always, corrections, critique or collaboration are welcome via post, PM or e-mail.

Fly Safe,

Vac

[Vac]

Version 2.5 Summary of Changes

Based on recent discussion on the safety page, I’ve revised the draft training materials to include additional discussion added regarding stability, drag characteristics and high speed operation. To make some additional room available on the cloud drive, I deleted earlier versions of the draft (versions 1.3 through 1.9); so previous hyperlinks in this thread may no longer work. Changes/additions in red for quick reference. Deletions are not tracked. Hyperlinks (including the Table of Contents) in the PDF version should be working. Numerous minor edits for correction and/or readability.

1. Additional discussion and graphics added to Ground 1 Briefing: RV-Type Aerodynamics in Part 2. Added generic drag curve graphic, example Vne graphic depiction, Vne TAS look-up table and additional aerodynamic G-available (as a function of airspeed) table. Added additional discussion regarding stability and handling characteristics, high speed/high altitude operation, flying the drag curve and revised design speed range/acceleration characteristics discussion.

2. Revised Advanced Top Off Course Ground 1 Briefing: RV-type Handling in Part 2 to mirror changes made to basic aero briefing.

Note: The briefings are written in a bullet format. Additional detailed information regarding the material in the briefings is contained in the appropriate sections of Part 3.

3. Clarified Vfe for all RV-types throughout. Differentiated between half flaps or less or greater than half flaps.

4. Revised and added discussion to Takeoff and Climb sections of Normal Procedures in Part 3.

5. Modified/revised discussion in “Center of Gravity Considerations” regarding stability in Part 3.

The current version of the complete draft can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8E...ew?usp=sharing

I pulled all of the tables and graphs from all three parts and consolidated them in a single, separate document for easy reference:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8E...ew?usp=sharing

I also posted a copy of the “AHC card” for my own airplane. It is presented simply an example of one way to organize information for quick cockpit reference, should there be a desire to do so. Most, but not all of the confidence and advanced handling (aerobatic) maneuvers from Part 3 are on the card:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8E...ew?usp=sharing

If anyone would like a Word Version of the current draft, please drop a line and I’ll be happy to provide it. As always, if there are suggestions for improvement or corrections, please drop a line as well.

Fly safe,

Vac

[Vac]

Version 2.6 is now available. This version corrects some errors from previous versions and includes expanded flutter and Vne discussion in Part 3 to accompany the updated RV-type aero briefing in Part 2.

If anyone spots any errors, I sure would appreciate a post, pm, e-mail, call, etc…Me and my staff are exactly one deep--I don’t have the best editor/clerk typist; I’m IT-challenged; and there are some much more savvy folks than me that peruse and contribute to this great web site! As always, any collaboration or BS flags is/are welcome, even if it’s picking nits or technique discussion—there’s almost always more than one way get something done or communicate effectively. If anyone would like a Word version of the current draft, please drop a line as well…no stamp required.

Changes in red for quick reference. Deletions are not tracked.

The latest pdf version of the draft document can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8E...ew?usp=sharing

I’ve also updated the consolidated tables/figures document to reflect changes to latest version. It can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8E...ew?usp=sharing

Summary of Changes

1. Revised Vne discussion in RV-type Aerodynamics briefing in Part 2. Replaced “Effective” Ceiling with “Maximum Operating Altitude” throughout relevant discussion. Additions to briefing guide for clarity in several bullets. Briefing mirrors expanded Vne discussion in Part 3…Bottom line here is that Vne should be treated as a TAS unless analysis and testing of a specific aircraft has been performed to validate a different limit. Vno should only be exceeded with deliberate caution under appropriate conditions.

2. Corrected headings in Table 2-1 “Example RV-4/6 210 MPH TAS to CAS Look-up Table” in RV-type Aerodynamics Briefing in Part 2.

3. Corrected Holding discussion in “All Weather Operations” chapter of Part 3.

4. Revised Maximum Structural Cruising Speed section in “Maneuvering Flight” chapter of Part 3.

5. Revised Never Exceed Speed section in “Maneuvering Flight” chapter of Part 3.

6. Minor Corrections to Handling Briefing Guide in Appendix B.

Fly Safe,

Vac