CAE PHX – Activity Preparation

Content – Activity Preparation

▪ Day Prior to Activity

▪ Day of Activity
❑ Check-in
❑ Preflight
❑ Weather Briefing
❑ Performance Calculations
❑ FRAT
▪ Preflight & Postflight Briefing
▪ Additional Notes & Advice
Content – Activity Preparation

▪ Day Prior to Activity

▪ Day of Activity
❑ Check-in
❑ Preflight
❑ Weather Briefing
❑ Performance Calculations
❑ FRAT
▪ Preflight & Postflight Briefing
▪ Additional Notes & Advice
Day Prior to Activity
A. Schedule
By 1700, check your schedule by using the CAE Talon-ETA website.
Day Prior to Activity
B. The activity
Refer to the ATP(A) Integrated Course Training Manual, Section C, available in EASA
Training on Centrik to get familiar with the upcoming activity and the exercises that will
be performed.
Day Prior to Activity
C. Study
Review the theory related to the upcoming activity with the APPFO Student Study
Guide available in EASA Training on Centrik.
Day Prior to Activity
D. Chairfly
Review, write down any question for your flight instructor and chairfly the procedures of
the exercises that will be performed during the activity by referring to the Long
Briefings available in EASA Training on Centrik.
Day Prior to Activity
E. Verify
Verify that the documents on Centrik are up to date, that your Ipad and your cellphone
are fully charged, that all your personal equipment is in your flightbag and that your
required personal documents for flight training are in your possession.

Documents In your flightbag

1. Passport or Arizona ID 1. Logbook

2. EASA Medical Certificate 2. Headset

3. FAA Medical Certificate 3. Kneeboard with relevant airport

diagrams or IFR plates
4. FAA Student Pilot Certificate
4. Sectional and TAC

5. Ipad and charger

6. CRP-5 and plotter

7. Safety vest and sunglasses

Content – Activity Preparation

✓ Day Prior to Activity

▪ Day of Activity
❑ Check-in
❑ Preflight
❑ Weather Briefing
❑ Performance Calculations
❑ FRAT
▪ Preflight & Postflight Briefing
▪ Additional Notes & Advice
Day of Activity
Check-in
As soon as you arrive at the CAE facility, you will have to check-in with Dispatch. The
check-in must be done 1 hour before any activity at the latest.
This applies for both simulator session and flight activity.

When the check-in is complete, Dispatch will confirm your aircraft assignment.
Day of Activity
Preflight
If your assigned aircraft is not in flight with another crew, use the checklist in the QRH to
perform the preflight inspection and make sure the refuel is complete while you are next
to the aircraft.

In the event your aircraft is not available by the time your briefing starts, advise your
flight instructor when you meet him/her for the briefing so sufficient time is provided for
the inspection.
Day of Activity
Weather Briefing
A good weather briefing begins with developing a total awareness of the overall big
picture before obtaining a detailed or standard briefing, or what we call the “big picture to
small picture” weather briefing.

Using the following sources will help you prepare a standardized weather briefing:

• https://www.1800wxbrief.com (official and legal website)

• Flight Service Station : 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433)

• http://aviationweather.gov (official but not a legal website)

Day of Activity
Weather Briefing
Create a document and ONLY snip or copy and paste the information relevant to
YOUR flight. If not using an Ipad, have the document printed.

A. Include header to document:

Date WEATHER BRIEFING MISSION #

FI name Dep Time
STUDENT name Arr Time

B. Gather the weather information in the following order to have a “big picture to small
picture” briefing:

1. Surface Plot from Prog Charts 4. METAR and TAFs

(Arizona and surrounding states) (departure, enroute and destination airports)

2. SIGMETS over Arizona 5. Winds and Temps aloft

3. AIRMETS over Arizona 6. NOTAMs and TFRs

Day of Activity
Weather Briefing
C. All weather information is in UTC, always double check that the time will cover the
entire time of your activity.

D. Highlight important information affecting your flight with a marker: high turbulence,
gusty conditions, active TFR or special airspaces,…

E. Make sure to know and understand all symbols and abbreviations you are
about to brief. If unfamiliar with any of those, do the research in official and legal
document or ask your flight instructor where to look for the answer.

Be aware that questions will be asked during every check of your training.
Day of Activity
Weather Briefing
Following the previous steps will result in a weather briefing looking like this:
Day of Activity
Performance Calculations
Per FAR § 91.103 “Preflight action”: each pilot in command shall, before beginning a
flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight.
This information must include, for any flight, runway lengths at airports of intended use,
and the following takeoff and landing distance information:

- for civil aircraft for which an approved Airplane Flight Manual containing
takeoff and landing distance data is required, the takeoff and landing distance
data contained therein.

- for civil aircraft other than those specified in the above paragraph of this
section, other reliable information appropriate to the aircraft, relating to
aircraft performance under expected values of airport elevation and runway
slope, aircraft gross weight, and wind and temperature.
Day of Activity
Performance Calculations
With the introduction of Foreflight, weight and balance and performance calculations
have never been easier for pilots. In order to receive the techlog from Dispatch, students
will have to input weights and weather data into Foreflight. Once the results are
obtained, a screenshot must be taken and be attached to the FRAT form.
Day of Activity
Performance Calculations
While it is required to submit all information with the use of Foreflight, students are still
expected to know how to fill the form and calculate the weight and balance for
their flights.
Day of Activity
Performance Calculations
Once the weight and balance is complete, pick up the latest ATIS, AWOS or METAR
information to calculate crosswind component, pressure altitude and density altitude.
Throughout their training, students are expected to know how to calculate those for
their flights.
Day of Activity
Performance Calculations
Besides the weight information, Pressure Altitude and Temperature are necessary
information since it is the entry data for aircraft performance charts.

Here is an example of Pressure Altitude calculation:

ATIS: KFFZ Alpha 2054Z 040/10 10SM SKC 28/M04 29.78

Falcon Field elevation = 1394ft

1. Find the difference between QNH/Field Altimeter setting to standard 29.92:

→ 29.92 - 29.78 = 0.14

2. Multiply this difference by 1000 to find the altitude difference:

→ 0.14” x 1000 = 140

3. As 29.92 is lower than 29.78, you need to add this to the elevation
➔ 1394ft + 140’ = Pressure Altitude of 1534ft
Day of Activity
Performance Calculations
Density Altitude is the altitude in the ISA atmosphere which corresponds to the density
which you are experiencing in your current ambient atmosphere.
It affects aircraft performance and engine power.

Here is an example of Density Altitude calculation:

ATIS: KFFZ Alpha 2054Z 040/10 10SM SKC 28/M04 29.78

Falcon Field Pressure Altitude = 1534ft

1. Find the difference between actual and standard temperature at airport elevation:
→ 28C – 12C = 16C

2. Multiply this difference by 120:

→ 16 x 120 = 1920ft

3. Add this to the Pressure Altitude:

➔ 1534ft + 1920ft = Density Altitude of 3554ft
Day of Activity
Performance Calculations
Once you have obtained those results, use the performance graphs available in the
POH to obtain takeoff, climb and landing data. Again, students are still expected to
know how to use the performance graphs for their flights.
Day of Activity
Performance Calculations
Additional notes regarding Performance Calculations:

• Always use the most recent weather information for performance calculation.
Using data from a 0600 METAR with a 1030 takeoff time is NOT acceptable.

• Always take the most restrictive scenario. For ex: if two parallel runways are in use,
use the data based on the shortest runway.

• Do not forget to adjust distance for wet runway, up slope or down slope runway.
The information for those factors are available in the Performance Section of the POH.

• If unsure, ask your flight instructor for advice. Performance calculations are important
information for your flight and will be subject to questions throughout your training.
Day of Activity
FRAT Form
The Flight Risk Assessment Tool Form, or FRAT Form, enables proactive hazard
identification and can visually depict risk. It is a valuable tool which helps pilots make
better go/no-go decisions and is part of every flight.
The FRAT Form covers multiple questions which, based on your answers, will provide a
total risk score.

To submit a FRAT Form, go on ETA and follow those steps:

Day of Activity
FRAT Form
Answer each question of the FRAT Form by selecting YES or NO.
If YES is selected, you will be asked if the risk can be eliminated or mitigated. This can
be done with a possible solution that will help you lower the score.
Day of Activity
FRAT Form
When complete, the form will generate a total risk score that will fall in one of three
categories:

- 0 to 17 = GO !

- 18 to 23 = Consult a supervisor, some items will need to be mitigated.

- 24 & above = Flight cannot be dispatched and requires a cancellation form.

Content – Activity Preparation

✓ Day Prior to Activity

✓ Day of Activity
❑ Check-in
❑ Preflight
❑ Weather Briefing
❑ Performance Calculations
❑ FRAT
▪ Preflight & Postflight Briefing
▪ Additional Notes & Advice
Preflight & Postflight Briefing
Preflight Briefing
The Preflight Briefing should typically cover the following items, not specifically in that
order:

1. Review Schedule: Ramp Out – Ramp In times and inform if preflight not completed

2. Weather Briefing

3. Review Weight & Balance and performance calculations

4. Brief/Discuss mission exercises

5. Review and submit FRAT Form

→ Meet the dispatchers to get the techlog of your assigned aircraft (verify registration
and discrepancies in techlog).

➔ If everything is in order, head towards the aircraft (and preflight if not already done).
Preflight & Postflight Briefing
Postflight Briefing
The Postflight Briefing should typically cover the following items, not specifically in that
order:

1. Review exercises practiced during the flight in ETA, discuss about the positive and
negative items noticed and what can be improved.

2. If both student and instructor agree with the grade sheet, close out the mission in
ETA.

3. Logbook updated by the student (cross check entries with syllabus requirements), the
entry is then verified and signed by the instructor.

4. Flight instructor and student quickly review what will be introduced or practiced on the
next activity.
Content – Activity Preparation

✓ Day Prior to Activity

✓ Day of Activity
❑ Check-in
❑ Preflight
❑ Weather Briefing
❑ Performance Calculations
❑ FRAT
✓ Preflight & Postflight Briefing
▪ Additional Notes & Advice
Additional Notes & Advice
• Bus schedule - Consider the routing and the multiple stops to avoid being late for
check-in and flight preparation.

• Weather - Check the weather the night before the activity, especially when planning
solo navigations (NE/NW vs SE/SW practice areas).

• Knowledge - Make sure to understand your briefing. If an information is not clear, look
for some clarification in an official and legal document or ask your flight instructor.

• Timing - Give yourself enough time to prepare your activity, sticking to the “1 hour
check-in time” might not be enough ! This will lead to rushing through the preparation
which will result in making mistakes.

• Rest - Have proper rest prior to an activity. An average of 7 to 8 hours of sleep will
promote optimal well-being and performance (focus, decision-making, judgement,
accuracy and reaction time).

• Meals - An adequate and balanced diet is important for pilots, especially while in
training, and drink enough water to prevent dehydration.