Theoretical Question RE Flight Training Devices

[rxnichols]

Can a student pilot be signed off for solo after all required flight maneuvers are completed in an 'approved' flight simulator ? This arose in reference to soloing single seat aircraft and in general for pre-solo training. FARs I've reviewed seem to indicate that if appropriate training is provided a qualified CFI can, if fact, sign the student off for solo. We're looking for interpretation of the regs - no lectures on proper training procedures, please.

Thanks,

Richard

 

[poadeleted20]

No. From 61.87:

(c) Pre-solo flight training. Prior to conducting a solo flight, a student pilot must have:
(1) Received and logged flight training for the maneuvers and procedures of this section that are appropriate to the make and model of aircraft to be flown

...and from 61.1(b):

(6) Flight training means that training, other than ground training, received from an authorized instructor in flight in an aircraft.

Training in an sim may supplement the flight training (although only 2.5 hours of sim time may be counted towards the PP requirements), but all of the required 15 maneuvers and procedures (see below) must be done "in flight in an aircraft" before the instructor may sign the Student Pilot off for solo.

(1) Proper flight preparation procedures, including preflight planning and preparation, powerplant operation, and aircraft systems;
(2) Taxiing or surface operations, including runups;
(3) Takeoffs and landings, including normal and crosswind;
(4) Straight and level flight, and turns in both directions;
(5) Climbs and climbing turns;
(6) Airport traffic patterns, including entry and departure procedures;
(7) Collision avoidance, windshear avoidance, and wake turbulence avoidance;
(8) Descents, with and without turns, using high and low drag configurations;
(9) Flight at various airspeeds from cruise to slow flight;
(10) Stall entries from various flight attitudes and power combinations with recovery initiated at the first indication of a stall, and recovery from a full stall;
(11) Emergency procedures and equipment malfunctions;
(12) Ground reference maneuvers;
(13) Approaches to a landing area with simulated engine malfunctions;
(14) Slips to a landing; and
(15) Go-arounds.

 

[rxnichols]

Thanks for a complete answer Ron !