Sport Pilot Talk

bryancobb · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 2:33 pm Post subject: Depth of Knowledge

Gene,
As far as pointers... Be aware of the concept of "Depth of Knowledge" and understand that at the SPORT and PRIVATE pilot levels... You are not expected to have a PhD's understanding of any of the subjects.

DO NOT TRY TO LEARN EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING.

A Sport and Private Pilot's depth of knowledge is expected to be somewhat shallow, kind of like a 16 year old driver.

Your answers on the oral only have to exibit that you have enough depth in your understanding, to be a safe pilot with the limited priviledges you are about to get.

As you progress through private, instrument, flight instructor, and airline transport pilot, your depth of understanding should be getting deeper.
At the ATP level, you should have almost a complete understanding of the subjects.

Example:
Sport Pilot level: Understands that ground effect comes into play as you get closer to the ground and causes the plane to "float."

Commercial Pilot Level: The rule of thumb is it affects you when you are about equal to 1/2 of a wingspan and less above the ground. It has implications during takeoff and landing, especially during short field operations and hot/high density altitude conditions.

ATP level: Can draw diagrams on paper, upside down, while sitting across from a student, and explain the physics of what is happening to the molecules of air all around the wing, at 10ft, 8ft, 6ft, and 4 ft.

gmohr · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 63 Location: Augusta, GA

Bryan,

Thanks again. Guess I am probably way over preparing, but as I said in
the other thread that is just the way I am. One can never have too much
knowledge. Oh.. my instructor is teaching me HOW to answer.. give the
minimum and only give more if asked. Right along the SIR, YES SIR lines.

Again, thanks

Gene

bryancobb · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:05 pm Post subject: Being Quiet versus Wrong Answers

Gene,
I agree. It's much better to give a brief answer that only addresses part of the question, than it is to give a very thorough answer that is not correct.

In plain language... DO NOT TRY TO BS YOUR WAY THROUGH. If you don't know, then say "I don't know."

spooky981 · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 45

Interesting advice as I go through the Cessna Online Training. I feel like I might be obsessing over fringe facts.