Stage Check

Objectives

  • Evaluate student for adequate proficiency prior to solo

  • Evaluate the adequacy of the instruction given to the solo candidate

Session Details

This is a required step prior to solo, and is performed by the Chief Flight Instructor or another CFI. This session will include a good bit of discussion on the ground, a complete preflight of the aircraft with the CFI, and then a flight that consists of numerous flight maneuvers that the student has been taught.

See the following document to gain a sense of what is being evaluated during the pre-solo stage check :

  • [ Pre-Solo Expectations document]

It is important to note that the Chief Flight Instructor doesn’t determine that whether the student is or is not ready to solo. That determination is made by the student’s instructor. This flight simply gives some feedback on the progress made by the student and whether there are areas that need work. In fact, it may be the case that an additional flight with the Chief Flight Instructor will be desirable if the student’s instructor has not adequately prepared the student.

I make it a practice, when possible, to be present for the stage check flight debrief. It is helpful to me to hear first-hand the feedback from the CFI who conducted the flight check. I make it a point to keep any input or comments from me to a minimum, as this debrief is primarily between the student and the other instructor.

Finally, be crystal clear that as much as you, the student, are being evaluated the instructor is being evaluated as much, if not more. Don’t get me fired. :)

Resources/References Lesson Plans These are individual lesson plans, keyed to the ACS, which discuss the topics included in this flight lesson. Each of the references below will have further references to additional FAA documents which address the individual topics in depth.

  • 8.A : Straight and Level Flight

  • 8.B : Level Turns

  • 8.D : Straight Descents and Descending Turns

  • 10.A : Rectangular Course

  • 10.B : S-Turns Across a Road

  • 10.C : Turns Around a Point

  • 10.D : Eights on Pylons (commercial)

  • 11.A : Maneuvering During Slow Flight

  • 11.B : Power-On Stalls (Proficiency)

  • 11.C : Power-Off Stalls (Proficiency)