Stage Check Scenarios
STAGE CHECK PREPARATION
We want our students to be successful in their flying endeavors. To help you be successful, our expectations for students attending stage checks are outlined below. Prior to scheduling a stage check, students should be recommended by their primary instructor. The student is responsible for contacting their stage check instructor no later than 24 hours prior to the stage check to inquire as to what scenario they should plan for.
Remember come prepared with:
- Required pilot certificates / documents
- Completed flight plan. Private and commercial students should have a completed paper navigation log. A Foreflight navigation log may be used as a backup.
- All necessary aircraft performance data to include but not limited to: take off & landing distance information, fuel consumption, cruise performance, weight and balance, etc
Dress Code:
Students are expected to dress professionally. As a general rule business casual attire is acceptable. Under no circumstance should students show up wearing athletic wear, hooded sweatshirts, sweat pants, clothing with holes, sandals, flip flops, etc.
**Note: Students who are not prepared for the stage check and/or are not dressed appropriately may be be sent home at the discretion of the stage check instructor and will be billed for the instructor's time as appropriate in compliance with Great Planes Aviation policies.
PRIVATE PILOT STAGE CHECK SCENARIOS
You and two friends have been invited to a wedding in Bemidji, MN. You will be leaving Friday morning. Friend #1 weighs 180 lbs. Friend #2 weighs 145.You will be taking 40 pounds of luggage and gifts. You will need to fly back Friday night because Friend #2 needs to work at 8am Saturday morning.
Weather:
KRST 04008KT 8SM FEW075 FEW110 OVC200 13/M06 A2994
KBJI AUTO 10008KT 10SM CLR 11/M07 A2992 RMK AO2
You and two friends have been invited to attend an anniversary party in Sioux Falls, SD. You will
be leaving Friday morning. Friend #1 weighs 210 lbs. Friend #2 weighs 160. You will be taking 60 pounds of luggage and gifts. You will need to fly back Friday night because Friend #2 needs to work at 8am Saturday morning.
Weather:
KRST 35012KT 5SM FEW055 SKT060 OVC120 18/06 A2988
FSD 10008KT 7SM CLR 11/M07 A2965 RMK
You and two friends have planned to travel to Kansas City, MO to enjoy some awesome BBQ.
You will be leaving Friday morning. Friend #1 weighs 130 lbs. Friend #2 weighs 190
You will be taking 40 pounds of luggage and gifts. You will need to fly back Friday night because Friend #2 needs to work at 8am Saturday morning.
Weather:
KRST 35012KT 8SM FEW055 SKT060 OVC120 18/06 A2996
KMCI 10008KT 10SM CLR 11/M07 A2993
You and two friends are part of a wedding to take place in Green Bay, WI. You will be leaving
Friday morning. Friend #1 weighs 185 lbs. Friend #2 weighs 190. You will be taking 30 pounds of luggage and gifts. You will need to fly back Friday night because Friend #2 needs to work at 8am Saturday morning.
Weather:
KRST 04008KT 8SM FEW075 FEW110 OVC200 13/M06 A2994
KGRB 10008KT 10SM CLR 11/M07 A2996
You and two friends are going to visit a college friend in St. Cloud, MN. You will be leaving
Friday morning. Friend #1 weighs 125 lbs. Friend #2 weighs 230. You will be taking 210 pounds of luggage and food. You will need to fly back Sunday night because Friend #2 needs to work at 8am Monday morning.
Weather:
KRST 35012KT 5SM FEW055 SKT060 OVC120 18/06 A2988
KSTC 10008KT 7SM CLR 11/M07 A2965
INSTRUMENT STAGE CHECK SCENARIOS
You and your boss are flying to a convention in Chicago, IL. You will be flying into KMDW. Your boss weighs 175 lbs and is bringing along 120 pounds of luggage. Your luggage weighs 53 pounds. You will depart Rochester in the morning.
Weather:
KRST 08011KT 2SM -RA BR OVC040 22/05 A2971
KMDW 17006KT 2SM FEW017 OCT050 25/07 A2980
Enroute weather shows IFR to LIFR along the entire region with cloud tops varying from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. There is no convective activity forecasted or reported. The route must include victor airways and a published arrival procedure into KMDW.
You are flying from Rochester, MN to KFCM to pick up a two friends and then heading on to KMDW for a fun weekend with several other friends. Friend #1 weighs 210 pounds and is bringing along 20 pounds of luggage. Friend #2 weighs 110 pounds and is bringing along 15 pounds of luggage. Your luggage weights 25 pounds.
Weather:
KRST 13011 4SM -RA FEW025 BKN043 OVC055 11/08 A2971
KFCM 31013G17 3SM OVC060 15/03 A2982
KMDW 36012 1/2SM OVC002 18/10 A2985
The weather just south of class Bravo in Minneapolis is 600’ overcast with 2.5 mile visibility. There is no convective activity forecasted or reported. The route must include victor airways from KFCM to KMDW, a published departure procedure out of KFCM and a published arrival procedure into KMDW.
You are flying from Rochester, MN to KDEN to spend the weekend hiking with friends. You are bringing along a friend who weighs 210 pounds and is bringing along 23 pounds of luggage. Your luggage weights 27 pounds.
Weather:
KRST 13011 5SM BR FEW005 BKN013 OVC030 11/08 A2971
KDEN 35012G20 1 1/2SM OVC050 15/03 A2982
Enroute weather shows IFR along the entire route with cloud tops varying from 5,000 to 12,000 depending on the location. There is no convective activity forecasted or reported. The route must include victor airways and a published arrival procedure into KDEN.
You are flying from Rochester, MN to KPHX to spend the weekend riding dune buggies with some college friends. You are bringing along a friend who weighs 160 pounds and is bringing along 31 pounds of luggage. Your luggage weights 28 pounds.
Weather:
KRST 13011 5SM BR FEW005 BKN013 OVC030 11/08 A2971
KPHX 30012G31 1 1/2SM OVC050 38/23 A2975
Enroute weather shows IFR along the entire route with cloud tops varying from 4,000 to 16,000 depending on the location. There is no convective activity forecasted or reported. The route must include victor airways and a published arrival procedure into KPHX.
COMMERCIAL PILOT STAGE CHECK SCENARIOS
You will be flying a Great Planes Aviation employee who weighs 190 pounds to Mesa Gateway (KIWA) to return the airplane that was leased to a flight school on the field. Being a commercial pilot, Great Planes is going pay you $60/ per hour to fly the airplane down and cover the cost of your airline ticket back to KRST and any meal / hotel expenses during your travel days that you should need.
Baggage:
- Suite case: 40 pounds
- Several big boxes of ammo: 65 pounds
- Yeti Cooler: 100 pounds
- ammunition 65 pounds and a Yeti cooler full of beer and ice that weighs 100 pounds.
Weather:
The weather out of KRST will be VFR. Plan to do pilotage and dead reckoning by using checkpoints to the first fuel stop (wherever you choose).
All subsequent legs of the trip should be planned IFR, if you are an instrument rated pilot.
You will be flying a Great Planes Aviation employee who weighs 210 pounds to Salt Lake City (KSLC) to attend a business meeting. Being a commercial pilot, Great Planes is going pay you $60/ per hour to fly the airplane down and cover the cost of your hotels for several nights any expenses that you should need.
Baggage:
- Suite case: 40 pounds
- Event Supplies: 90 pounds
- Cooler & Drinks: 75 pounds
Weather:
The weather out of KRST will be VFR. Plan to do pilotage and dead reckoning by using checkpoints to the first fuel stop (wherever you choose).
All subsequent legs of the trip should be planned IFR, if you are an instrument rated pilot.
You will be flying a Great Planes Aviation employee who weighs 200 pounds to Aspen (KASE) for a vacation. Being a commercial pilot, Great Planes is going pay you $60/ per hour to fly the airplane down and cover the cost of your hotels for several nights any expenses that you should need.
Baggage:
- Suite case: 32 pounds
- Misc Items: 105 pounds
- Cooler & Drinks: 65 pounds
Weather:
The weather out of KRST will be VFR. Plan to do pilotage and dead reckoning by using checkpoints to the first fuel stop (wherever you choose).
All subsequent legs of the trip should be planned IFR, if you are an instrument rated pilot.