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Beginner Course - Learn To Fly with Microsoft® Flight Simulator 2002/2004

Course Description:
The beginner level course is an introduction to the skills and knowledge of what it takes to become a pilot. The student is familiarized with real take-off, navigation, and landing procedures using a simulator airplane on the computer. This course prepares the student for later flight training in an airport setting, including the intermediate and advanced level courses.

The beginner level course is now offered at Toronto Airways Flight School at Buttonville Airport, just north of Toronto. Upon completion of the 8-week course, students will receive their Flight Simulator Solo Certificate and Radio Certificate.

Prerequisites: None.

Fees & Courseware: The cost to reserve a seat in the Beginner Level course is $250 CDN (incl. GST) for Part 1 (4 weeks); $150 CDN for Part 2 (4 weeks). Each student gets a Canada Flight Supplement of every airport in Canada, real VTA map of the Toronto area for practice flying and a course book with all the lessons you will take during classtime. Every student takes a yoke home to practice while on course with the option to buy a yoke* on course completion.
[* = Special discounted prices for students purchasing online for home use.]

Course Dates: To be announced. Visit the Registration page to sign up for the course waiting list. Course duration is 8 weeks.

Curriculum:

Beginner Course Objectives

Learn to use Microsoft® Flight Simulator and keyboard/flight controls;
Learn the important airplane instruments and gauges;
Learn the basics of flying: takeoff, level flight, turns, landing and proper airport circuit procedures;
Learn the phonetic alphabet;
Learn to use the airplane radio to talk to the control towers properly.

Additional Notes:
This whole course is conducted on networked computers with Microsoft® Flight Simulator 2002/2004 installed in multiplayer mode. The purpose is to have fun while learning to master the basic skills of flying using flight simulation. No one gets hurt and most of all we have a lot of fun learning and trying new skills. You learn proper aircraft radio phraseology and each student can see the others in their own plane... all at Toronto Island Airport! The thrill of confidently leaving the ground, flying and then landing again is exhilarating and very rewarding! After the beginner course, intermediate students can learn to navigate to other airports and open a whole new world of adventure!

The First Class

Objectives:

Getting familiar with flight simulator controls/keystrokes;
Demonstrations of taxi and flight from Toronto Island;
Introduction to necessary flight instruments.

Outcome:
Student will learn to handle the aircraft on the ground and guide it to the active runway while using basic radio procedures to communicate with the control tower.

Class 2

Objectives:

More practice taxiing and run up procedures;
More radio work;
Learn some more vital instruments for flying;
Demonstrations of takeoff and level flight.

Outcome:
The student learns to takeoff properly and level off at a designated altitude maintaining straight and level flight.

Class 3

Objectives:

Student demonstration of new skills for taxi, radio, run-up and takeoff;
Student demonstrates achieving straight and level flight, eastbound toward the practice area in Claremont area (near Oshawa).

Outcome:
Student learns to read the basic VTA map to get to and from the practice area.

Class 4

Objectives:

Student performs taxi, radio, run-up, take-off and level flight to the practice area;
Demonstrations of turns, stalls and slow flight;
Student practices turns, stalls and slow flight.

Outcome:
Student becomes proficient in executing turns to exact headings and practices entry and exit from slow flight using flaps. Stalls are practiced to learn never to let them happen.

Class 5

Objectives:

Student performs taxi, radio, run-up, take-off and level flight to the practice area;
Student successfully demonstrates new skills in turns, stalls and slow flight;
Student is introduced to "return to airport" procedures, approach and landing.

Outcome:

Student demonstrates turns, stalls and slow flight;
Student returns and lands straight in for the first time.

Class 6

Objectives:

Student performs taxi, radio, run-up, take-off and level flight to Scarborough Bluffs to circle and await "return to airport" radio clearance (Student lands straight in to 26);
Student practices everything learned up to now.

Outcome:
Student becomes proficient at all the skills learned so far, including a landing on 26.

Class 7

Objectives:

Student is introduced to THE CIRCUIT (Toronto Island Airport );
Student will practice takeoffs and landings in the circuit only;
Student will demonstrate proper radio communication while in the circuit.

Outcome:
Student will practice take off and touch-n-go procedures in the airport circuit repeatedly until it becomes second nature.

Class 8

Objectives:

Practice of all skills learned, especially the circuit;
Identify student weak areas and suggest focus practice;
Those who demonstrate mastery of skills will be asked to fly to Buttonville and land successfully (Navigation will be supplied by the instructor).

Outcome:
Student will be asked to start the exercise at Scarborough Bluffs, level at 2000 feet, inbound for landing, call the tower and ask for landing instructions, join the circuit and land the airplane at Toronto City Centre Airport. Weak areas will be identified for further practice.

Class 9

Objectives:

Final demonstration of a SOLO circuit by the student;
Final grade by the instructor and issue of SOLO certificate;
Sign-up for students to continue in intermediate class.

Outcome:
Student will demonstrate a solo circuit with a full stop and receive SOLO certificate. Student will also demonstrate proper radio procedures during this time and receive their (Simulator) Radio License.

Upon Successful Course Completion:

After the radio oral test, the student will receive their Flight Simulator radio license;
After their solo flight of one successful circuit, each student will receive their SOLO flight certificate.

Sample Lesson

You can download a sample lesson from Module one, Lesson 4. The topic is taxiing to the active (moving your airplane on the ground to the runway for take off). This will give you a feel for the teaching style and format of the course.

All courseware is in .PDF format requiring Adobe Acrobat® Reader software.
Download Adobe Acrobat® Reader for free

How to Register:

Visit the Registration page to sign up for the course waiting list either online or by mail. You will receive written confirmation of your registration, course dates and classroom details by mail. **Advance registration is required to reserve a seat so please register early to avoid disappointment.