CAA Instructor Seminars 2007

PPL Terrain Awareness

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Part 61 Stage II NPRM

• Terrain Awareness Training• Including Weather Awareness, esp wind• Acceptable to the Director• PPL level• CPL Role Training – requirements

proposed under Part 135, not 61

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Minimum Requirements

• Low Flying & Terrain Awareness – all dual exercises

• Total: 5 hours comprising–Minimum 2 hours low flying training; and–Minimum 2 hours Terrain Awareness

training

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Programme

• Training organisations develop TA training as it applies to their area

• Expand on syllabus requirements of low flying

• Incorporate increased level of experience & understanding regarding interaction with terrain & associated weather

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Stage 1 Operating in a simulated confined space

• Aim:– Initially simple exercise exploring pilot’s & aircraft

capability to operate in a confined area

• Exercise:– Define a simulated confined area– Obstacle free– Clearly defined boundaries– Flat paddock 500m X 500m

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Continuing Exercise

• Using ‘clean’ & ‘Poor Visibility’ configurations– Fly boundaries–Use all available space–Use minimum angle of bank–Commence with larger area–Reduce to desired confined size

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Principles

• Develop awareness of space & inertia• Use all available space• Minimise bank angle therefore Vs• Use only required power• Safe speed between Va & Vs appropriate

to conditions & loading (clean etc )• Develop weather awareness, esp wind

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Stage II Operating in a confined space

• Aim:– Apply technique & skill used in Stage I– Use actual area confined by terrain– Develop further awareness of space & inertia

• Exercise:– Relocate to suitable valley or gully– Repeat Stage I exercise– Ensure terrain above – less defined horizon

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Principles

• Identify useable imaginary horizon by visualising where sky meets the sea as if terrain or obstacle to the visual horizon were transparent

• Use this horizon line to reference nose attitude– In S & L flight– In level turning flight

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Continuing Principles

• Appropriately position the aircraft to– Execute level 180° and 360° turns–Use all available space–Minimize bank angle–Only sufficient power to maintain safe

speed between Va & Vs appropriate to conditions and loading

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Stage III Crossing ridges, saddles or passes

• Aim:– Safely cross ridges, saddles or passes–Apply appropriate decision making–Determine safest compromise of options &

principles

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Continue Saddle Crossing

• Exercise: – Use ridges into valley in Stage II... Or other ridge– Assess appropriate flight path for approach,

crossing, & after crossing – Apply safest compromise of options & principles

involved– Experience where possible merits of L to R, R to L

and re-crossing where safely possible

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Continue Saddle Crossing

• Principles:–Apply sound decision making–Assess approach, the crossing, & flight path

after–Have escape routes available –Minimize commitment period

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Summary & Recommendations

• High mountains not required to establish basic principles

• Stage I possible in most LFA’s• Alternative – 500’ above suitable defined area• Stage II & III – area safely enables turning

exercises and saddle/ridge crossings• Logbook signed – competence & minimum

experience met

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Desirable: student experiences the exercises

• In clean & poor visibility configurations• In both calm & windy conditions

(<15knots)• In clear conditions & with some

precipitation • With 180° & 360° turns both ways

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Instructor qualifications

• Require Terrain Awareness Instructor Authorisation

• Experience acceptable to the Director• Demonstrate competence to a GA Flight

Examiner

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References

• Mountain Flying Training Guide• GAP booklets:–Mountain Flying– In, Out and Around Milford– In, Out and Around Mount Cook– Flight Instructor Guide

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Questions

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