The pre-solo written

I'm playing catch up after being gone for a week.

Christine was good enough to take notes so I could go over what I'd missed. She also sent me our homework assignment: Develop a pre-solo written test.

I don't remember my pre-solo written test. I'm not even certain I took one. I soloed 13 years ago. (Actually, my first solo was 23 years ago then I stopped flying for 10 years.)

I checked out a couple of pre-solo tests online then developed my own version. It's 126 questions long, which is probably too many.

Basically, I started thinking about a typical flight from a controlled airport and everything you have to do and know to make it happen safely, not violate the relatively complex airspace around the Twin Cities and find your way home if you get lost.

If I was teaching at an uncontrolled airport in the middle of nowhere the pre-solo exam would be a snap. In the city, with four Class D airports and the massive Minneapolis Class Bravo there's just a lot to know before you can operate safely on your own.

Here's my first cut at the test. I have no idea if it's too much, too little or misses something important. Check it out and let me know.

Oh, and if you're ever a student of mine, trust me, if you know everything on this test (and you will) you'll be miles ahead of most students and a better prepared than a lot of pilots who already have their licenses.

Which brings up the really scary question: How in the hell am I going to teach everything that's on this test?