Decoding the Private Pilot ACS | Part 4

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake dives into Cross Country Flight Planning, a critical task in the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS). Seth breaks down the 2024 ACS updates, including the use of electronic flight bags (EFBs) like ForeFlight, and how to navigate the challenges of VFR flight planning. He also shares insights on risk management, altitude selection, fuel planning, and how examiners evaluate your skills during a check ride. Whether you're preparing for your check ride or looking to sharpen your flight planning skills, this episode has you covered. Chapters: 0:30-Introduction to Cross Country Flight Planning 1:30-2024 ACS Update: Computer-Generated Flight Plans 2:30-Knowledge, Risk Management, and Skills Breakdown 4:41-Importance of VFR Cross Country Flight Plan 6:21-Using Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) 7:59-Altitude Selection 8:45-Calculating 9:41-Elements of a VFR flight plan 10:15-Procedures for filing a flight plan 10:50-Inflight intercept procedures 12:10-PAVE 17:41-Limitation of ATC 18:29-Fuel Planning 19:21-Use of an EFB 20:16-Skill 1 20:44-Skill 2 21:07-Skill 3 21:16-Skill 4 22:33-Skill 5 22:49-ForeFlight Techniques 24:19-Aircraft profile 20:25-Custom aircraft profile 30:01-Weight and balance profile 33:03-Basic cross country planning 35:03-Route rubber band feature 36:18-Changing altitude in profile 39:29-Checkpoint Selection 44:29-Navigation Log 50:20-Filing flight plan 51:02-EFB Preflight Checklists