k. Knowledge Test. The Operations inspector conducts a knowledge and skills test during your initial part 137 certification. As required by § 137.19(e), you or your designated chief supervisor will be the testing candidate. This requirement applies to applicants who seek either a private or commercial operating certificate.
(1) The objective of the knowledge and skills test is to determine knowledge and abilities of the pilots you use and to determine that they are qualified to act as pilot-in-command of an agricultural aircraft. If the pilot was previously qualified under part 137, the CPM may not require the pilot to take a knowledge and skills test provided that the proper logbook endorsements or a letter of competency from an FAA ASI is available.
(2) The pilot must have adequate knowledge of operating limitations for the aircraft to be used under the applicable requirements contained in 14 CFR part 91, § 91.9. Weight and balance information will receive special emphasis. You and the pilot must also be knowledgeable of the aircraft’s performance capability. Knowledge of performance includes such items as:
(a) Stall speeds at maximum certificated gross weight, straight ahead, power off, flaps up.
(b) Best rate and best angle of climb speed.
(c) Maneuvering speeds.
(d) Density altitude and its effect on performance.
(e) Performance capabilities and operating limitations of the aircraft to be used.
(f) Takeoff distance required to clear a 50-foot obstacle at maximum certificated gross weight with zero wind.
(3) You must demonstrate your knowledge of the limitations involved with agricultural aircraft operations, which includes:
(a) Limitations on passenger carrying.
(b) Weight and balance limitations.
(c) Limitations on operating without position lights.
(d) Limitations on dispensing in congested areas.
(e) Limitations on not observing standard airport traffic patterns.
(f) Section 91.119 altitude limitations concerning ferrying to and from dispensing sites.
(4) If you seek approval to dispense economic poisons, you must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of (1) the methods to safeguard the pilot against contamination, and (2) the Par 6 Page 7
safe handling of economic poisons. The knowledge test will consist of the following subject areas.
(a) Steps to be taken before starting operations, including survey of the area to be worked.
(b) Safe handling of economic poisons and the proper disposal of used containers for those poisons.
(c) The general effects of economic poisons and agricultural chemicals on plants, animals, and persons, with emphasis on those normally used in the areas of intended operations;
and the precautions to observe in using poisons and chemicals.
(d) Primary symptoms of persons affected by economic poisons, the appropriate emergency measures to take, and the location of poison control centers.
(e) Safe flight and application procedures.
(5) Economic poisons manufactured for interstate use must, by regulations, be registered with the EPA. Those poisons must be labeled, showing the brand name, active ingredients, inert ingredients, directions for use, warning, net contents, and name and address of manufacturer or registrant. The label normally contains other detailed instructions concerning the effects on plants, animals, and persons. When required by § 137.19(e), you must have satisfactory knowledge of the general effects and precautions described on the label of the economic poison that you normally use in the area of operation.
(6) You should be knowledgeable about recommended methods for disposing of used pesticide containers. EPA-approved methods for disposal are contained on the pesticide label.
You should be aware of state and local laws that may require additional precautions.
(7) If you do not apply for authorization to dispense economic poisons, the inspector will not test you on § 137.19(e)(ii) through (iv). The statement of competency that is issued will reflect that the pilot is not authorized to dispense economic poisons. The knowledge test will consist of the following subject areas.
(a) Steps to take before starting operations, including a survey of the work area.
(b) Performance capabilities and operating limitations of the aircraft to be used.
(c) Safe flight and application procedures.
(8) You should be aware that the Operations inspector may give the knowledge test in either an oral or written format. You may find it useful to study the following samples to prepare for the knowledge test:
(a) When dispensing a highly toxic chemical, what instruction would you give your flagger, if one is being used?
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(b) What are some of the symptoms of chronic toxic effect, the cumulative buildup of chemicals in the body?
(c) How would you dispose of containers that held a toxic poison?
(d) Where is the nearest poison control center?
(e) If you have mild symptoms of organophosphate poisoning, can you administer the recommended antidote yourself and continue work until an appointment with a doctor can be arranged?
(f) What emergency action would you take if a known contamination exists?
(g) Indicate your swath runs and procedure turns over the following field, when dispensing a herbicide that could damage plants in the congested area.
(h) Would you apply a chemical such as a highly toxic insecticide to this field? (If so, how and when?)
(i) How long should you keep records that are required by § 137.71?
(j) While airborne, what steps would you take before starting your first swath run?
(k) What precautions should you take in applying insecticides adjacent to a lake, stream, or fish-stocked earth tank?
(l) Does your agricultural aircraft operator’s certificate allow you to fly under 500 feet over-the-top, or closer than 500 feet horizontal to a farm while going to or from your base of operation and the field you are to treat?
(m) What steps should you take before you can dispense chemicals over a city, town, settlement, or other congested area?
(n) Does your aircraft have to be inspected before you can engage in applying insecticide over a congested area?
(o) In your procedure left turn, you misjudge your turn and roll out 300 feet to the right side of your intended course. How would you correct this error?
(p) In order to dispense chemicals over a congested area, you are required by part 137 to have your aircraft equipped with which of the following:
1. Stall warning horn.
2. Tank quantity gauge.
3. Emergency dump valve or chemical jettison device.
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4. Boom pressure gauge.
(q) What certificate or certificates have to be carried on an aircraft engaged in agricultural aircraft operations?
(r) You are flying a restricted-category agricultural aircraft with a belly unit and two seats. Can you use this aircraft for purposes other than agricultural operations?
(s) Are you required to wear a crash helmet during operations?
(t) Describe in detail the dangers involved with a hot, heavy, downwind turn.
(u) As your bank increases, what happens to your stall speed?
l. Skills Test. For the skills test, the aircraft’s tanks or hoppers must be loaded with any suitable material (e.g., water, lime, or sand). Load to the maximum certificated takeoff weight or the maximum weight established for the special-purpose load, whichever is greater. Current environmental conditions can also be a factor for the maximum weight. You must ensure that the dispensing equipment is free from chemicals and chemical residue.
(1) While not required by regulation, a flight helmet can provide the pilot with added protection in the event of an accident. We encourage pilots to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation-approved or Military Specifications flight helmet when operating agricultural aircraft in dispensing operations.
(2) Before beginning the skills test, the inspector will inform the pilot/you of expectations and performance requirements, and factors that could lead to disqualification. The pilot/you are evaluated on piloting skill and operational judgment in the following skills testing task areas:
(a) Groundcrew coordination and loading procedures.
(b) Engine start, warm-up, and taxi procedures.
(c) Short-field and soft-field takeoffs (airplanes and gyroplanes only), directional control, liftoff, and climb.
1. One soft-field takeoff and climb.
2. Short-field takeoff and maximum performance climb.
(d) Approaches to the working area.
1. Satisfactory aerial survey of area for obstructions.
2. Proper method of beginning operations (normally, starting operation crosswind on downwind side of field).
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(e) Flareout.
1. Should not touch ground or crop during flareout.
2. Should be consistently at same height and proper position over field on several flareouts.
(f) Swath runs.
1. Consistent altitude (plus or minus 5 feet).
2. Four or more passes demonstrated.
NOTE: Looking behind the aircraft at the spray pattern during swath run is disqualifying. The flight should be executed so as not to fly through the spray droplets or the dust of previous swath. Spacing successive swath runs to place the wing tip into or overlapping the vortices of the previous swath is not disqualifying.
3. Start and stop the spray application within the target area and prevent drift onto adjacent fields.
(g) Pullups and turnarounds.
1. Consistent height in turnarounds, obstructions permitting.
2. Smooth and coordinated.
3. Turn in proper direction relative to wind, obstructions, and field layout.
4. Obstruction clearance before starting turn.
5. Proper throttle, flap, and hopper or tank control.
(h) Clean-up swath or trim passes.
1. Recognize the need for clean-up swath.
2. Adequately cover area to be treated.
(i) Jettisoning of remainder of load after swath runs in the event of inflight emergency.
(j) Rapid deceleration or quick stops (helicopter only).
(k) Approach, touchdown, and directional control on landing.
1. One landing.
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2. Adequate precautions used around turning propellers or rotor blades.
(l) Taxi, engine shutdown, and securing of aircraft.
m. Phase Completion.
(1) If either the knowledge test or skills test results are unsatisfactory, the CPM notifies the pilot and you in writing of the disposition of the test. The pilot and/or you must schedule another appointment with the team to retake the test.
(2) You may not progress through the certification process before satisfactorily completing the tasks of the demonstration and inspection phase. The CPM terminates the demonstration and inspection phase only upon your successful completion of the required tasks.
1-7. THE CERTIFICATION PHASE. You receive the appropriate agricultural aircraft operator’s certificate (private or commercial) after the certification team concludes that all qualifications are met. Applicable authorizations such as an approval to use an MEL will be prepared and issued from the Operations Safety System.
1-8. TERMINATION OF THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS. During any phase the CPM can terminate the certification process if you do not adequately correct a discrepancy noted by the certification team. You receive written notification of denial of certification through a notice of disapproval. This document, denying the issuance of an operating certificate, includes the remarks pertaining to the denial. You receive the notice of disapproval and the application. The certification team returns any other documentation you submitted. If you address all of the remarks in the notice of disapproval and wish to become a candidate for an operating certificate, you must start the certification process again from at least the document compliance phase.
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FIGURE 1-1. SAMPLE LETTER OF INTENT (Your Letterhead) (Date) (Geographically responsible FAA FSDO address) Greetings:
This is to notify the Federal Aviation Administration of our intent to become a certificated commercial (or private) agricultural aircraft operator under part 137 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
We plan to begin operations on (date), and are ready for your certification inspection at this time.
Operations will be confined to (geographic location) and will involve the operation of (number and type of aircraft).
Enclosed are two copies of FAA Form 8710-3. Our three requested letter certificate designators are (list preferred designators), in that order of preference.
Sincerely,
(Operator’s name and title) Attachments Par 8 Page 13
FIGURE 1-2. FAA FORM 8710-3, AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT OPERATOR
CERTIFICATE APPLICATION (FRONT) orm Approv AB No. 2120-00 05/31/2009 a Departmen deral Aviati AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT OPERATOR CERTIFICATE APPLICATION Submit in duplicate to the local General Aviation District Office. INSTRUCTIONS ministrat TYPE FOR DISPENSING (Check one) ORIGINAL
1. APPLICATION PRIVATE ECONOMIC POISONS AMENDMENT FOR
COMMERCIAL OTHER THAN ECONOMIC POISONS REISSUANCE
2. NAME AND ADDRESS OF APPLICANT 3. PRINCIPAL OPERTIONS BASE (Airport, City, State)
TELEPHONE NUMBER TELEPHONE NUMBER INDIVIDUAL OTHER (Specify) 5. NAME OF CHIEF SUPERVISOR OF OPERATIONS IF OTHER
2. OPERATING CORPORATION THAN SHOWN IN ITEM 2. (COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS ONLY) AS PARTNERSHIP (First) (Middle Initial) (Last)
6. AIRMAN CERTIFICATE HELD CERTIFICATE NUMBER
GRADE RATINGS PRIVATE ASEL AMES TYPE RATING(S) (Specify)
COMMERCIAL AMEL HELICOPTER
AIRLINE TRANSPORT ASES GYROPLANE
DO YOU HOLD A CURRENTLY EFFECTIVE CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER FOF NO CONDUCTING AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS? YES (Complete 7B) 7B. WAIVER HELD DATE ISSUED EXPIRATION DATE FAA DISTRICT OFFICE WHERE ISSUED
8. AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT TO BE OPERATED
MAKE MODEL EQUIPPED FOR TOTAL NUMBER EACH REGISTRATION MARK LIQUID SOLID AIRCRAFT OPERATED (List one)
9. LIST THE NAME(S) AND AIRMAN CERTIFICATE NUMBER OF AGRICULTURAL PILOT(S) WORKING FOR YOU AT THE PRESENT TIME (Use separate sheet and attach if additional space is needed.)
NAME CERT. NO NAME CERT. NO
10. REMARKS
11. CERTIFICATION: I CERTIFY THAT STATEMENTS MADE ON THIS FORM ARE TRUE AND CORRECT.
DATE TITLE SIGNATURE FAA Form 8710-3 (10-83) Page 14 Par 8
FIGURE 1-2. FAA FORM 8710-3, AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT OPERATOR CERTIFICATE APPLICATION (Back) INSPECTION REPORT - For FAA Use Only (To be completed by the General Aviation for Flight Standards District Office)
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
1. PILOTS NOT REQUIRED SATISFACTORY UNSATISFACTORY A. CERTIFICATES B. RATING(S) C. KNOWLEDGE TEST D. SKILL TEST
2. AIRCRAFT A. CERTIFICATED B. AIRWORTHY C. EQUIPPED FOR AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS
10. REMARKS (Include an explanation of denial if application is disapproved).
4. DISTRICT OFFICE ACTION
INSPECTORS SIGNATURES
CERTIFICATE ISSUED
APPLICATION DISAPPROVED
DATE INSPECTION COMPLETED Par 8 Page 15
FIGURE 1-3. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 14 CFR PART 137 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Name of Operator Names of Management Personnel Name:
Title:
Address Applicant Date Ready FAA Date Received FAA Date Returned FAA Date Applied/ Accepted Inspector Initials Letter of Intent Application (FAA Form 8710-3) Chief Supervisor Knowledge and Skills Test
Other Pilots Knowledge and Skills Test
Aircraft Lease/Proof of Availability
Aircraft Conformity Inspection (Airworthiness)
Aircraft Records (Airworthiness)
Operator Recordkeeping System (Commercial)
Proof of Bona Fide Property Interest (Private Operators)
Other
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FIGURE 1-4. FLOWCHART FOR APPLICANTS SEEKING A 14 CFR PART 137
OPERATING CERTIFICATE Applicant Without Previous Part 137 Experience Formal Application Phase Documentation Compliance Phase Demonstration and Inspection Phase Certification Phase Applicant With Previous Part 137 Experience Unsatisfactory Results Applicants must make the appropriate corrections to the items found unsatisfactory. Once these corrections have been made, the applicant must reschedule an appointment with the team to reevaluate the phase or task and continue the certification process.
Termination of the Certification Process The CPM may terminate the certification process during any phase of the process for the following conditions:
Failure of the applicant to correct discrepancies previously noted.
Unsatisfactory results after a reexamination of a phase or task.
Unsafe operating procedures or practices.
Eliminate the Preapplication Phase Results Satisfactory Results Satisfactory Results Satisfactory Reschedule Evaluation Unsatisfactory Results Reschedule Evaluation Unsatisfactory Results Reschedule Evaluation Unsatisfactory Results Preapplication Meeting Eligibility Met Par 8 Page 17 (and 18)