On Mar 13, 12:16 pm, "Andy Lutz" wrote:
This sounds a bit overwhelming. I am only 9 hours into my training

When I was 9 hours into my PPL training, this would have sounded way
overwhelming to me too. At that point, I hadn't even learned to land
an airplane reliably under optimal conditions. At the 60-70 hour
mark, it didn't seem so bad at all.

When I was 9 hours into my multiengine training, I could barely land
the airplane single engine. At the 25 hour mark, a partial panel
single engine NDB approach with circle to land on a short runway
seemed no big deal.

Trust me, it gets better. Look at the PTS if you like, but realize
much of it may not make sense just yet. Many instructors believe in
trotting out the PTS from day one, to keep your eyes on the prize, I
suppose. I don't think much of that strategy. The PTS is a test
standard, not a training syllabus. Your instructor has (I assume) a
training syllabus. Many fine ones are commercially available, and
many flight schools have their own. By the time you get to the end of
the syllabus, the things I discuss will not seem so overwhelming.

but is
this what I might expect to see in a VFR PPL checkride? I know I have lots
to learn and get comfortable with, including navigation and flight planning,
what does a DE want to see in this arena? I'll look at the PTS, but you
scared me.

I'm sorry I scared you. That was not the intent. The intent was to
explain to another instructor what I thought was missing in his
asessment of the utility of manual (as opposed to automated) flight
planning. I would be more than a bit surprised if, at 9 hours, you
were exposed to most of the concepts I discussed. That will come.
Right now, those are not your big issues. The only navigation I would
teach a student at your level is basic pilotage and map reading. I
wouldn't expect you to be venturing more than 10-20 miles from home
just yet. At this stage of the game, you need to be focusing on
aircarft control through the flight envelope, flight with reference to
the ground, and basic takeoff and landing skills. If you're really
sharp, you might just be soloing - but that would be unusual these
days.

Since you have already started flying, consider taking and passing
your written test as soon as practical. If you are still worried
after that (it will include a lot of flight planning stuff) then ask
me the question again, and we'll discuss it.

Michael