3-1 CHAPTER 3. FLIGHT MANEUVERS AND PROCEDURES
3.1 Premise of Flight Training. The basic premise of flight training is to provide a pilot with the following:
• An understanding of what maneuvers/procedures are to be performed;
• A general description of what each maneuver/procedure is to look like and what that maneuver/procedure is to provide;
• Sufficient information as to where and how the airplane will be maneuvered, including the timing for that maneuvering, to position the airplane in the proper configuration, location, speed, and inertia that will facilitate the correct accomplishment of the maneuver/procedure;
• Sufficient practice for the pilot to be able to get the airplane to the required configuration, location, speed, and inertia each time he or she attempts a given maneuver/procedure;
• Sufficient understanding of the maneuver/procedure to be able to identify when one or more of the necessary parameters is not correct, or to identify that inertia is taking the airplane to an unsatisfactory condition; and
• Sufficient practice in determining how to correct parameters and continue the maneuver/procedure or determining that the maneuver/procedure should be abandoned.
3.2 Premise of Flight Checking. The basic premise of flight checking is to determine if the pilot is proficient in all assigned duties to serve in line operations.
3.2.1 Waiving of Maneuvers or Procedures. In accordance with § 121.441(d), a check pilot conducting a proficiency check may, at his or her discretion, waive a maneuver or procedure only as specifically identified in part 121 appendix F if:
• The FAA has not specifically required the particular maneuver or procedure to be performed; and
• For recurrent proficiency checks, the pilot is currently qualified for operations under part 121 in the particular type airplane and flightcrew member duty position; or
• For all other proficiency checks, the pilot has, within the preceding 6 calendar-months, satisfactorily completed an approved training curriculum, except upgrade training in accordance with §§ 121.420 and 121.426, for the particular type airplane.
Note: A pilot completing a pilot-in-command (PIC) proficiency check after upgrade training completed in accordance with §§ 121.420 and 121.426 must complete all maneuvers and procedures required by part 121 appendix F without any waiving of events.
3-2
3.2.1.1 Use of Waiver Authority is Not Automatic. The use of waiver authority is not automatic. Air carriers should not have policies requiring check pilots to use waiver authority. Check pilots should exercise judgment in the use of this authority. If a pilot demonstrates a high level of performance, a check pilot may use the waiver authority. If a pilot’s performance only meets the minimum acceptable standards, none of the maneuvers or procedures required for the proficiency check should be waived.
3.2.1.2 Waiving Conditions and Restrictions. Some maneuvers and procedures have specific conditions, identified in part 121 appendix F, which must be met before waiver authority may be used (e.g., either the area arrival or area departure, but not both may be waived). Additionally, some maneuvers and procedures have specific restrictions, identified in part 121 appendix F, on the use of waiver authority (e.g., the circling approach maneuver may not be waived for two successive checks). If a check pilot is unsure whether the specific waiver conditions and restrictions have been met, the maneuver or procedure may not be waived.
3.2.2 Training to Proficiency. In accordance with § 121.441(e), if a pilot fails a maneuver or procedure during a proficiency check, the check pilot may conduct training and repeat the checking of that maneuver or procedure.
3.2.2.1 Training and Checking Not Simultaneous. Training and checking may not be conducted simultaneously. If training is required, the check pilot should complete the following actions:
1. Temporarily suspend the check. The pilot should be clearly informed that the check has been suspended.
2. Provide the pilot with additional training on the maneuver(s) and/or procedure(s) that was failed.
3. Resume the check. The pilot should be clearly informed that the check has been resumed.
4. Repeat/recheck the maneuver(s) and/or procedure(s) that was failed.
3.2.2.2 Recordkeeping. In accordance with §§ 121.415(i) and 121.683, the pilot’s record must identify the maneuver(s) and/or procedure(s) which were initially failed, the additional training provided by the check pilot, and whether the recheck of the maneuver(s) and/or procedure(s) was satisfactory. If the recheck of the maneuver(s) and/or procedure(s) is unsatisfactory, the pilot’s record must identify the second failure and the failure of the proficiency check.
3-3
3.3 Task Organization Legend.
3.3.1 Area of Operations. This chapter is organized by the phases of flight. Each area of operation includes the tasks related to that phase of flight. The competencies for each task are described as conditions, awareness, and action criteria.
3.3.2 Task Description. The pilot flying (PF) and pilot monitoring (PM) should demonstrate the awareness criteria and action criteria under the prescribed conditions. Per §§ 119.43(c) and 121.415(h), the air carrier must train pilots in all tasks, procedures, and environments for which they hold operations specification (OpSpec) approval to operate, under all specified conditions. Any condition may be selected for checking unless a particular condition is specified.
3.3.2.1 Conditions Included.
3.3.2.1.1 Environmental conditions and circumstances, including those that compound the difficulty of the task when encountered. The instructor or check pilot selects conditions, as appropriate:
1. Day or night conditions.
2. Weather that is, or is not, a complicating factor.
3. If visibility is a complicating factor, the task will use the prescribed procedures for the existing conditions.
4. If performance is influenced by temperature, pressure altitude, atmospheric, or precipitation conditions (e.g., rain, drizzle, ice, or snow), the following is required:
• Appropriate adjustments will be made to the type of takeoff or approach and landing that is to be flown;
• The airplane configuration that is to be used; and
• The requirement to operate the airplane within the reduced tolerances applicable, including airspeed and runway touchdown point.
3.3.2.1.2 Clarifying information about the nature of the task.
3.3.2.1.3 Explanatory language about the goal, or intent of the task or area to aid in setting the stage for its effective conduct.
3.3.2.2 Awareness Criteria. Identify the specific aspects of the task and environment that indicate proper operation, a need to seek further information, or a need to take action to prevent encountering a hazard or compounding the difficulty unnecessarily. These are generally an application of cognitive skill to support the action criteria or passive action(s) that should be applied throughout the entire task.
3-4
3.3.2.3 Action Criteria. Procedures for completing a task, including operations in or near a critical environment, when appropriate. These are steps that are active and generally are completed in an order to achieve the goal of the task.
Provide relevant parameters with tolerances to reflect satisfactory levels of performance.
3.4 General. The criteria for normal procedures, airplane handling, and air traffic control (ATC) communications and procedures are applicable to all flight maneuvers and procedures.
3.4.1 Normal Procedures.
3.4.1.1 Condition(s). Not applicable.
3.4.1.2 Awareness Criteria:
1. Maintain situational awareness of the events and circumstances at all times.
2. Demonstrate ability to continuously monitor and to identify any potential hazards or threats to the safety of the flight.
3. Demonstrate ability to communicate and manage available resources.
4. Maintain adequate lookout and traffic avoidance for the conditions.
5. Maintain awareness of airplane position relative to the “nearest suitable airport.”
6. Monitor system indications to ensure normal operation or identify abnormal situations.
3.4.1.3 Action Criteria:
1. Adhere to the duties and responsibilities of the PF and PM as prescribed in the air carrier’s manual.
2. Ensure operation of the airplane within the limitations established by the air carrier’s manual.
3. Comply with the provisions of the air carrier’s manual, minimum equipment list (MEL), and Configuration Deviation List (CDL) (if appropriate), as they pertain to the particular airplane, through all phases of flight and all operations.
4. Accomplish the applicable checklist items, and complete all required checks as specified by the air carrier’s manual.
5. Make correct use of instruments, flight director (FD), autoflight
(e.g., autopilot and autothrottle/autothrust), and navigation and communication equipment as prescribed by the air carrier’s manual and as appropriate to the phase of flight.
3-5
6. Plan and brief automation modes and configurations.
7. Follow guidelines for PF and PM duties during manual flying and for operation of automated systems.
8. Plan workload and allow sufficient time for programming the flight management system (FMS).
9. Change the level of automation to correspond to situational awareness and workload requirements.
10. Call for and complete the proper normal, abnormal, or emergency checklist(s).
11. Alert ATC and the air carrier, as necessary.
12. Ensure proper crew and passenger briefings are completed.
13. Conduct the takeoff briefing according to the air carrier’s manual prior to taking the active runway.
14. Conduct the approach briefing according to the air carrier’s manual prior to initial descent.
15. Ensure potential terrain or obstacle threats are included in departure and arrival briefings.
16. Ensure that passengers, crew, and cargo are properly secured for takeoff or landing.
17. Locate and proceed to the nearest suitable airport when necessary.
18. Determine the best course of action when an immediate landing is required, but not possible.
19. Demonstrate sound judgment and operating practices in those instances where specific instructions or checklist items are not published.
20. Comply with sterile flight deck requirements.
21. Select the systems and procedures appropriate to the air carrier’s operation:
• Air conditioning;
• Airborne radar devices;
• Auxiliary power unit (APU);
• Automatic or other approach aids, including Head-Up Display (HUD) and enhanced flight vision system (EFVS);
• Autoflight (e.g., autopilot and autothrottle/autothrust);
• Anti-icing and deicing;
• Brakes;
3-6
• Communications, including Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) departure/Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) systems;
• Doors;
• Electrical power;
• Engine;
• Fire protection;
• Flaps;
• Flight controls;
• Fuel and oil;
• Ground proximity warning system (GPWS), enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS), or Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS);
• Hydraulic power;
• Flight instruments;
• Landing gear;
• Navigation;
• Oxygen;
• Pneumatic;
• Pressurization;
• Propellers;
• Stability augmentation devices;
• Stall warning devices and stall avoidance devices;
• Thrust reversers;
• Warning systems; and
• Any other systems, devices, or aids available.
3.4.2 Airplane Handling.
3.4.2.1 Condition(s). Not applicable.
3.4.2.2 Awareness Criteria:
1. Demonstrate awareness of the airplane’s trim condition.
2. Demonstrate awareness of the airplane’s configuration.
3. Demonstrate awareness of the autoflight mode when in use.
3-7
4. Demonstrate awareness of the airplane’s flightpath, attitude, and speed.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the dangerous combinations of sideslip angles, rudder positions, or other flight parameters resulting from maximum, indiscriminate, uncoordinated, or rapid deflection of the rudder.
3.4.2.3 Action Criteria:
3.4.2.3.1 General:
• Maintain smooth, positive airplane attitude control in pitch, roll, and yaw to achieve and maintain appropriate flightpath;
• Maintain proper control of speed, pitch attitude, roll (bank), altitude, rate of descent, configuration, heading, course, and track, in accordance with the procedures and limitations in the approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and/or air carrier’s manual;
• Properly trim for the configuration or condition, if not automatic;
• The successful outcome of a procedure or maneuver can never be in doubt; and
• Continuously correct back to the target parameter.
3.4.2.3.2 Final Approach Segment (FAS). Maintain a stabilized approach:
• Have the airplane in the desired configuration for landing with the engines spooled and stable;
• Maintain a constant pitch attitude;
• Maintain a constant heading (within ±10°) or maintain electronic navigation indication with no more than one-quarter scale deviation vertically and laterally;
• Maintain an appropriate airspeed;
• Maintain a constant rate of descent;
• Keep the airplane trimmed;
• Execute a missed approach when reaching the minimum descent altitude (MDA), decision altitude (DA), or decision height (DH), as appropriate;
and
• For Nonprecision Approaches (NPA) without vertical guidance, maintain altitude at MDA, when reached within +50 to –0 feet.
3-8
3.4.3 ATC Communications and Procedures.
3.4.3.1 Condition(s). The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) is a reference to the generally accepted practices of basic flight rules and instrument flight operations.
3.4.3.2 Awareness Criteria:
1. Interpret all ATC clearances received and, when necessary, request clarification, verification, or change.
2. Recognize the indication(s) of navigational station or waypoint passage.
3. Recognize navigation signal loss or Required Navigation Performance (RNP)-related alerting.
3.4.3.3 Action Criteria:
1. Select and use appropriate communication frequencies.
2. Establish communications with ATC, using proper phraseology or data link procedures.
3. Comply with all ATC clearances, instructions, and airspace restrictions.
4. Promptly advise ATC when unable to comply with a clearance.
5. Comply with ATC reporting requirements.
6. Demonstrate competency in two-way radio communications failure or ATC data link failure.
7. Use the current and appropriate navigation publications for the proposed flight.
8. Identify the navigation aids associated with approach procedures.
9. Select and correctly identify the appropriate navigation frequencies and facilities associated with navigation if not using Area Navigation (RNAV) or Global Positioning System (GPS).
10. Select, tune, identify, and confirm the operational status of ground and airplane navigation equipment to be used for the approach. Low frequency (Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB)) identification should be continuously monitored when used as the primary navigation reference.
Where applicable, check automatic navigational aid identification on the navigation display.
11. Set the correct RNP reference prior to any procedure where the default RNP is not appropriate.
12. Locate the airplane position using radials, bearing, distance measuring equipment (DME) range, coordinates, or navigation displays, as appropriate.
3-9
13. Adhere to ATC airspeed restrictions and adjustments.
14. Intercept all courses, radials, bearings, or DME arcs appropriate to the procedure, route, and clearance.
15. Comply with the procedures for the instrument or visual approach.
16. Perform correct altimetry procedures, in accordance with the regulations, the air carrier’s manual, and ATC requirements.
3.5 Preflight Procedures.
3.5.1 Exterior Inspection.
3.5.1.1 Condition(s). The exterior inspection is a demonstration of a pilot’s ability to perform appropriate safety checks. Training and checking should include recognition of unsafe conditions.
3.5.1.2 Awareness Criteria. Check the general area around the airplane for hazards to the safety of the airplane and personnel.
3.5.1.3 Action Criteria. As appropriate to the airplane and the air carrier’s manual, check the following items:
1. Engines, for closed and latched access panels, leaks other than normal drainage, intake and exhaust areas for freedom from foreign object damage (FOD) hazards, and pylon alignment marks.
2. Fuel quantity.
3. Oil quantity.
4. Hydraulic fluid quantity.
5. Crew and passenger oxygen quantity, pressures, and discharge indications.
6. Steering system, brakes, and landing gear, including removal of pins.
7. Tires for condition, inflation, and correct mounting.
8. Fire protection and detection systems pressures and discharge indications.
9. Pneumatic system pressures.
10. APU, for closed and latched access panels, leaks other than normal drainage, intake and exhaust areas for freedom from FOD hazards.
11. Flight control systems, including trim, spoilers, ailerons, leading and trailing edge slats and flaps, elevator, stabilizer, and rudder.
12. Anti-ice and deice systems, including ice detector probes and deice boots.
13. Windshields and windows.
14. Pitot tubes, static ports, angle of attack (AOA) vanes, stall warning vanes, static wicks, and probes.
3-10
15. Radome, communication, and navigation antennas.
16. Air inlets for avionics bays and air conditioning systems.
17. All exterior lights, including landing, taxi, navigation, recognition, and strobe lights.
18. Entry door stairs.
19. General airframe and structural integrity, including scratches, tears, holes, or dents and the fit and security of panels, doors, and hatches.
3.5.2 Cabin and Cargo Compartment Inspection.
3.5.2.1 Condition(s). The cabin and/or cargo compartment inspection is a demonstration of a pilot’s ability to perform appropriate safety checks.
Training and checking should include recognition of unsafe conditions.
3.5.2.2 Awareness Criteria. Conduct a visual inspection of the cabin and/or cargo compartment for hazards to the safety of the airplane, personnel, and passengers.
3.5.2.3 Action Criteria:
1. Note any discrepancies and take proper corrective action.
2. Determine if the airplane is airworthy and safe for flight.
3. Per part 121 appendix F, the pilot must verify that the airplane is safe for flight by examining, as appropriate, items such as:
• Emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE), portable oxygen bottles, first aid kits, emergency medical kits, megaphones, flotation devices, liferafts, and flashlights;
• Emergency exits and emergency lighting system;
• Signs, placards, passenger safety information cards, and emergency exit row cards;
• Passenger seats, seatbelts, tray tables, and passenger service units (PSU);
• Galley equipment;
• Flight attendant (F/A) seats;
• Lavatories; and
• For cargo airplanes, check load security.
3-11
3.5.3 Flight Deck Inspection.
3.5.3.1 Condition(s). Select appropriate weather and environmental conditions.
3.5.3.2 Awareness Criteria:
1. Coordinate with ground crew and ensure adequate clearance prior to supplying power to, or operating, any devices such as doors, hatches, or flight control surfaces.
2. Know the system tests that are required.
3.5.3.3 Action Criteria:
1. Demonstrate proper operation of applicable airplane systems.
2. Note any discrepancies and take proper corrective action.
3. Determine if the airplane is airworthy and safe for flight.
4. Locate the documents required for flight, including airworthiness and registration certificates, OpSpecs (if appropriate), the air carrier’s manual, MEL, CDL, Weight and Balance (W&B) data, and the maintenance logbook.
5. Per part 121 appendix F, the pilot must verify that the airplane is safe for flight by examining, as appropriate, items such as:
• Engines, including controls and indicators;
• Fuel quantity and distribution;
• Oil quantity and pressure;
• Hydraulic fluid quantity and pressure;
• Crew and passenger oxygen quantity, pressures, and discharge indications;
• Fire protection and detection systems, pressures, and discharge indications;
• Pneumatic system for proper operation and pressures;
• Ground environmental systems;
• APU;
• Anti-ice and deice systems;
• Avionics systems, including communication, navigation, weather radar, GPWS, Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), passenger address, and interphone;
• Lighting systems;
3-12
• Warning systems;
• Electrical systems;
• Airspeed indicators, heading indicators, attitude indicators, vertical speed indicators, and altitude indicators;
• Flight controls and steering system;
• Emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers, PBEs, flashlights, life vests, escape ropes, smoke goggles, oxygen masks, and crash axe;
• Circuit breaker panels; and
• Seats and seatbelts.
3.5.4 Navigation System Setup.
3.5.4.1 Condition(s). Select appropriate weather and environmental conditions. Setup includes, but is not limited to, FMS, inertial navigation systems (INS), and GPS.
3.5.4.2 Awareness Criteria:
1. Monitor the navigation system for fault indication, or for the results of self-tests.
2. Ensure the system is operating normally.
3.5.4.3 Action Criteria:
1. Verify airplane, engine, and other data for accuracy.
2. Enter or recall the planned route of flight.
3. Enter performance-related data, such as thrust levels, planned speeds, airplane weight, and other vertical navigation (VNAV) profile information.
4. Perform crosschecks and crew verification procedures in accordance with the air carrier’s manual.
3.6 Ground Operations.
3.6.1 Engine Start.
3.6.1.1 Condition(s). Select appropriate weather and environmental conditions, including, but not limited to: hot or cold weather, tailwind, icing condition, and low-density altitude.