OMG!  Why are you flying so low!

Hopefully, no one is yelling that when you go for your first solo flight!  Your first solo is a super exciting time, whether you are 16 years old or 60, the first time you fly an airplane without anyone else on board to be there for you is an incredibly exhilarating and rewarding experience.

The next few TOPICS will help you get ready for that awesome day!  Namely, you will need to complete a presolo aeronautical knowledge test that your instructor chooses.  There is no set default for this test, other than it must meet the requirements of 61.87(b)

(b) Aeronautical knowledge. A student pilot must demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge on a knowledge test that meets the requirements of this paragraph:

(1) The test must address the student pilot’s knowledge of—

(i) Applicable sections of parts 61 and 91 of this chapter;

(ii) Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the solo flight will be performed; and

(iii) Flight characteristics and operational limitations for the make and model of aircraft to be flown.

(2) The student’s authorized instructor must—

(i) Administer the test; and

(ii) At the conclusion of the test, review all incorrect answers with the student before authorizing that student to conduct a solo flight.

Try to keep the number of your landings equal to the number of your takeoffs.

We’ll go ahead and give you an example of such a test in the next TOPICS.