Pre-Training Notes Organized by the PAVE Model

The following outline uses the PAVE model as a framework for managing risk and organizing essential knowledge for private pilot training. If you can commit much of this to memory before lessons begin, you’ll be well ahead of the curve when we dive into ground school and flight operations.

P – Pilot

This is about your personal readiness, qualifications, and ongoing responsibilities.

• Required Certificates/ID:

  • Before Solo: Student Pilot Certificate, FAA Medical, Government ID, proper logbook endorsements.

  • After Earning PPL: Carry Pilot Certificate, Medical, and Government-issued ID when acting as PIC.

• Medical Fitness:

  • Third Class Medical: Valid 60 months if under 40, or 24 months if 40+.

  • BasicMed: Requires prior FAA medical (not revoked/denied), exam with state-licensed physician every 48 months, online course every 24 months.

• Currency:

  • Flight Review (BFR): Every 24 calendar months.

  • Passenger Carrying: 3 takeoffs/landings in last 90 days (full-stop at night/tailwheel).

• Legal/Regulatory Limits:

  • No passengers for compensation/hire until Commercial Certificate.

  • Cost sharing allowed if expenses are directly related to flight (fuel, oil, rental, tie-down, etc.).

  • Alcohol: Minimum 8 hours bottle-to-throttle, BAC <0.04%.

• Personal Fitness Mnemonics:

  • IMSAFE: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion.

  • 5Ps: Pilot, Plane, Passengers, Planning, Programming.

A – Aircraft

Covers required equipment, inspections, documents, and airworthiness considerations.

• Airworthiness Responsibility:

  • Owner/Operator: Maintain per regulations.

  • PIC: Ensure airworthiness prior to flight.

• Required Documents (SPARROW):

  • Supplements - Any extra items like GPS installed need to have associated supplemental documents

  • Placards - Placards are limitations and required in the aircraft.  The list of requirements can be found in the limitations section of your POH.

  • Airworthiness Certificate - Birth certificate for the airplane

  • Registration (renewed every 7 years or upon ownership change)

  • Radio License - This is required for plane and pilot if flying outside of the United States

  • Operating Limitations (POH/AFM, placards, instrument markings, supplements)

  • Weight & Balance (updated/current)

• Inspections & Tests: AV1ATES

  • Annual: Every 12 months, signed by A&P with IA.

  • VOR - (IFR Only) Needs to be inspected every 30 days 

  • 100-Hour: Required if for hire, signed by A&P (annual can count as 100-hour, not vice versa).

  • AD's - (Airworthiness Directives) These are like recalls on airplanes.

  • Transponder (PAT-24): Every 24 months.

  • ELT: Every 12 months, battery replaced at expiration, after 1 hr of use, or at 50% of useful life.

  • Static Inspections (IFR Only) every 24 Months

• Required Equipment (Day VFR – TOMATO FLAAMES):

  • Tachometer, Oil Pressure, Manifold Pressure (if applicable), Altimeter, Temp Gauge (liquid cooled), Oil Temp (air-cooled), Fuel Gauges, Landing Gear Position, Anti-Collision Light, Airspeed Indicator, Magnetic Compass, ELT, Seatbelts.

• Required Equipment (Night VFR – FLAPS):

  • Fuses, Landing Light (for hire), Anti-Collision Lights, Position Lights, Source of Power.

• Unserviceable Equipment:

  • Aircraft unairworthy unless repaired, ferried with permit, or placarded “INOP” if not required for safe flight.

• Fuel Types:

  • AvGas 100LL (blue, leaded, piston aircraft).

  • Jet A (clear, kerosene smell, turbine/diesel engines).

V – enVironment

Includes weather, terrain, airspace, and operational conditions.

• Weather Reports/Forecasts:

  • METAR: Hourly surface observations.

  • TAF: Forecasts, issued 4 times daily, valid 30 hours.

  • AIRMETs: Sierra (IFR/obscuration), Tango (turbulence), Zulu (icing).

  • SIGMETs: Serious hazards for all aircraft.

  • Convective SIGMETs: Thunderstorms, tornadoes, severe turbulence/icing.

• Weather Considerations:

  • Cloud bases: (Temp – Dew Point ÷ 4) × 1,000 = AGL.

  • Fog risk: Temp/dew point spread ≤4°C and closing.

  • Standard atmosphere: 15°C, 29.92 inHg, lapse rate 2°C per 1,000 ft.

• Oxygen Use:

  • 12,500 ft MSL for >30 minutes: Required for crew.

  • 14,000 ft: Required for crew at all times.

  • 15,000 ft: Required for passengers.

  • Recommended: Day above 10,000 ft, Night above 5,000 ft.

• Charts:

  • Sectional: 1:500,000

  • Terminal Area Chart: 1:250,000

  • WAC: 1:1,000,000 (rarely used).

• Preflight Weather Requirements: Know conditions, runway lengths, performance data, ATC delays before departure.

• Navigation Mnemonics:

  • VOR Navigation (TITTIE): Tune, Identify, Twist, Turn, Intercept, Enjoy.

  • Mental Awareness (WHAT TEA): Weather, Heading, Altitude, Traffic, Terrain, Engine instruments, Airspace.

E – External Pressures

This includes scheduling, passengers, and outside factors that can push a pilot into poor decision-making.

• Passengers: Can share pro-rata costs; their expectations may add pressure.

• Scheduling: External time pressure often contributes to accidents.

• Training/Checkride Prep: Many of these items appear in oral exams and flight checks—learning them early reduces stress.

• Mental Checklists Before/After Flight:

  • Before Takeoff: “Lights, Camera, Action” (lights, transponder ALT, fuel pump as required).

  • Before Landing: “GUMPSS” (Gas and Pumps, Undercarriage, Mixture, Props, Seatbelts, Switches (Lights)).

• Performance & Safety Concepts:

  • Aerodynamics: Bernoulli’s principle, airfoils, stalls (critical angle of attack).

  • Airspeeds: IAS, CAS, TAS, GS (EAS for jets).

  • Altitudes: True, Pressure, Indicated, Density, Absolute.