Elements

Completion of the pre-solo written test
Endorsements necessary for solo flight
Review of questions missed on the FAA written test, if this taken before your solo
Dual flight to check all training has been completed to completion standards

Equipment

Airworthy balloon
Student Pilot Logbook and Pilot Certificate

Instructor's Actions

Check that a pre-solo written test has been given to student and review
- Student Pilot Pre-Solo Exam - Questions and the Answers
Check student's pilot logbook for all endorsements necessary for solo flight if outcome of unit is satisfactory
Pre-solo aeronautical knowledge
Pre-solo flight training
Solo flight endorsement in logbook
Solo flight endorsement on student-pilot certificate
Aeronautical knowledge-FAA written test (Passing the FAA written test is not required but highly recommended as a prerequisite for solo flight)
Pre-flight discussion on objective of lesson
Critique maneuvers and pilot judgment

Student Actions

Perform each maneuver as directed
Practice selected maneuvers previously introduced
- Weather briefing
- Site selection
- Flight planning - plot flight path
- Observe surface winds - pibal
- Preflight rigging and inspection - checklist
- Basket tied off
- Hot inflation - checklist
- Pre-launch - checklist
- Weigh off Ascents (shallow and steep)
- Level flight
- Descents (shallow and steep)
- Direction changes
- Fuel management
- Emergency procedures including sudden impending power lines
- Monitor surface wind
- Normal approaches
- Short field approaches
- Landowner relations
- Deflation
- Post-flight discussion

Completion Standards

The student will demonstrate proficiency on all flight maneuvers so that the result is never in serious doubt. Good judgment and adherence to notations of his/her skill level and aircraft performance are of primary importance to the instructor in determining approval for solo flight.