AC 61-118A

FAA-S-8081-14 with Change 1

PRIVATE PILOT Practical Test Standards for

AIRPLANE (SEL, MEL, SES, MES) MAY 1995

FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE Washington, DC 20591

PRIVATE PILOT Practical Test Standards 1995

FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE Washington, DC 20591

NOTE Material in FAA-S-8081-14 will be effective May 1, 1995. All previous editions of the Airplane Practical Test Standards will be obsolete as of this date.

FOREWORD The Private Pilot - Airplane Practical Test Standards book has been published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish the standards for the private pilot certification practical tests for the airplane category and the single-engine, land and sea; multiengine, land and sea classes. FAA inspectors and designated pilot examiners shall conduct practical tests in compliance with these standards. Flight instructors and applicants should find these standards helpful during training and when preparing for the practical test.

William J. White Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service

RECORD OF CHANGES Change 1: 4/28/97 Reason: Text in all STEEP TURNS Tasks has been changed to emphasize steep turn entry speed at manufacturer's recommended speed, or one designated by the Examiner, not to exceed VA. This provides an option of a slower entry speed, when operating a lower performance land or seaplane.

• • SINGLE-ENGINE LAND AREA OF OPERATION: PERFORMANCE MANEUVER TASK: STEEP TURNS

• • MULTIENGINE LAND AREA OF OPERATION: PERFORMANCE MANEUVER TASK: STEEP TURNS

• • SINGLE-ENGINE SEA AREA OF OPERATION: PERFORMANCE MANEUVER TASK: STEEP TURNS

• • MULTIENGINE SEA AREA OF OPERATION: PERFORMANCE MANEUVERS TASK A: STEEP TURNS

FAA-S-8081-14i

INTRODUCTION The Flight Standards Service of the FAA has developed this practical test book as a standard to be used by FAA inspectors and designated pilot examiners when conducting pilot practical tests. Flight instructors are expected to use this book when preparing applicants for practical tests.

This publication may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

The FAA gratefully acknowledges the valuable assistance provided by organizations and individuals who have contributed their time and talent in the development and revision of the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards.

Comments regarding this publication should be sent to:

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards Service Operations Support Branch, AFS-630 P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125

PRACTICAL TEST CONCEPT Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR's) specify the areas in which knowledge and skill shall be demonstrated by the applicant before the issuance of a pilot certificate. The FAR's provide the flexibility to permit the FAA to publish practical test standards containing specific TASKS in which pilot competency shall be demonstrated. The FAA will revise this book whenever it is determined that changes are needed in the interest of safety.

Adherence to the regulations and the practical test standards is mandatory for the evaluation of pilot applicants.

PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS BOOK DESCRIPTION This test book contains the following private pilot practical test standards:

Section 1 Airplane, Single-Engine Land Section 2 Airplane, Multiengine Land Section 3 Airplane, Single-Engine Sea Section 4 Airplane, Multiengine Sea The Private Pilot Practical Test Standards include the AREAS OF OPERATION and TASKS for the issuance of an initial private pilot certificate and for the addition of category and/or class ratings to that certificate.

FAA-S-8081-14 ii

PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS DESCRIPTION AREAS OF OPERATION are phases of the practical test arranged in a logical sequence within each standard. They begin with Preflight Preparation, and end with Postflight Procedures. The examiner, however, may conduct the practical test in any sequence that results in a complete and efficient test. The Roman numerals preceding each AREA OF OPERATION relate that AREA OF OPERATION to the corresponding regulatory requirement.

TASKS are knowledge areas, flight procedures and/or maneuvers appropriate to an AREA OF OPERATION.

The REFERENCE identifies the publication(s) that describe(s) the TASK.

Descriptions of TASKS are not included in the standards because this information can be found in the current issue of the listed reference.

Publications other than those listed may be used for reference if their content conveys substantially the same meaning as the referenced publications.

References upon which this practical test book is based include:

FAR Part 43 Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration FAR Part 61 Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors FAR Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules FAR Part 97 Standard Instrument Approach Procedures NTSB Part 830 Notification and Reporting of Aircraft Accidents and Incidents AC 00-2 Advisory Circular Checklist AC 00-6 Aviation Weather AC 00-45 Aviation Weather Services AC 61-21 Flight Training Handbook AC 61-23 Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge AC 61-27 Instrument Flying Handbook AC 61-65 Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors AC 61-67 Stall Spin Awareness Training AC 61-84 Role of Preflight Preparation AC 67-2 Medical Handbook for Pilots AC 90-48 Pilots’ Role in Collision Avoidance AC 91-23 Pilot's Weight and Balance Handbook AC 91-69 Seaplane Safety for FAR Part 91 Operations AC 120-51 Crew Resource Management Training AIM Airman's Information Manual AFD Airport Facility Directory NOTAM's Notices to Airmen Pilot Operating Handbooks FAA-Approved Flight Manuals

FAA-S-8081-14iii The Objective lists the important elements that must be satisfactorily performed to demonstrate competency in a TASK. The Objective includes:

1. specifically what the applicant should be able to do;

2. the conditions under which the TASK is to be performed; and 3 the minimum acceptable standards of performance.

Information considered directive in nature is described in this practical test standard in terms such as “shall” and “must,” and means that the actions are mandatory. Terms such as “will,” “should,” or “may,” provide guidance and describe actions that are desirable, permissive, or not mandatory and allow for flexibility.

USE OF THE PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS The FAA requires that each Private Pilot practical test be conducted in accordance with the appropriate Private Pilot Practical Test Standard and the policies set forth in this INTRODUCTION. Private pilot applicants shall be evaluated in ALL TASKS included in each AREA OF OPERATION of the appropriate practical test standard.

In preparation for the practical test, the examiner shall develop a written “plan of action.” The “plan of action” shall include all TASKS in each AREA OF OPERATION. Any TASK selected shall be evaluated in its entirety.

However, if the elements in one TASK have already been evaluated in another TASK, they need not be repeated.

The examiner may, for any valid reason, elect to evaluate certain TASKS orally. Such TASKS include those that are impracticable, such as night flying.

The examiner is not required to follow the precise order in which the AREAS OF OPERATION and TASKS appear in this book. The examiner may change the sequence or combine TASKS with similar Objectives to meet the orderly, efficient flow of a well-run practical test. For example, a rectangular course may be combined with an airport traffic pattern.

However, the Objectives of all TASKS must be demonstrated and evaluated at some time during the practical test.

Examiners shall place special emphasis upon those aircraft operations that are most critical to flight safety. Among these areas are precise aircraft control and sound judgment in decision making. Although these areas may or may not be shown under each TASK, they are essential to flight safety and shall receive careful evaluation throughout the practical test. If these areas are shown in the Objective, additional emphasis shall be placed on them.

FAA-S-8081-14 iv

THE EXAMINER SHALL ALSO EMPHASIZE STALL/SPIN AWARENESS,

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, WAKE TURBULENCE AVOIDANCE, LOW

LEVEL WIND SHEAR, INFLIGHT COLLISION AVOIDANCE, RUNWAY INCURSION AVOIDANCE, AND CHECKLIST USAGE.

In the performance of simulated emergency procedures, consideration must always be given to local conditions, including weather and terrain. If the procedure being evaluated would jeopardize safety, the examiner shall simulate that portion of the TASK.

PRIVATE PILOT PRACTICAL TEST PREREQUISITES An applicant for the private pilot practical test is required by Federal Aviation Regulations to:

1. pass the appropriate pilot know ledge test since the beginning of the 24th month before the month in which the practical test is taken;

2. obtain the applicable instruction and aeronautical experience prescribed for the pilot certificate or rating sought;

3. possess a current medical certificate appropriate to the certificate or rating sought;

4. meet the age requirement for the issuance of the certificate or rating sought; and

5. obtain a written statement from an appropriately certificated flight instructor certifying that the applicant has been given flight instruction in preparation for the practical test within 60 days preceding the date of application. The statement shall also state that the instructor finds the applicant competent to pass the practical test and that the applicant has satisfactory knowledge of the subject area(s) in which a deficiency was indicated by the airman knowledge test report.

NOTE: AC 61-65, Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors, states that the instructor may sign the instructor's recommendation on the reverse side of FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, in lieu of the previous statement, provided all appropriate FAR Part 61 requirements are substantiated by reliable records.

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR THE PRACTICAL TEST The private pilot applicant is required by FAR Section 61.45 to provide an appropriate, airworthy, certificated aircraft for the practical test. The aircraft must be equipped for, and its operating limitations must not prohibit, the performance of all TASKS required on the test.

FAA-S-8081-14v

USE OF DISTRACTIONS DURING PRACTICAL TESTS Numerous studies indicate that many accidents have occurred when the pilot has been distracted during critical phases of flight. To strengthen this area of pilot training and evaluation, the examiner shall provide a realistic distraction during the flight portion of the practical test. This will give the examiner a positive opportunity to evaluate the applicant's ability to divide attention, both inside and outside the cockpit, while maintaining safe flight.

APPLICANT'S USE OF CHECKLISTS Throughout the practical test standard the applicant is evaluated on using the checklist. Its proper use is dependent on the specific TASK being evaluated. The situation may be such that the use of the checklist, while accomplishing the elements of the Objective, would be either unsafe or impractical, especially in a single-pilot operation. In this case, a review of the checklist, after the elements have been met, would be appropriate. In any case, use of the checklist must consider proper scanning and division of attention at all times.

STABILIZED APPROACH The term “STABILIZED APPROACH” as used in this practical test standard is not intended to be construed in the same context as the term utilized in large aircraft operation. The term as utilized in this book means that the aircraft is in a position where minimum input of all controls will result in a safe landing. Excessive control input at any point could be an indication of improper planning.

CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (CRM) CRM “...refers to the effective use of ALL available resources; human resources, hardware, and information. ” Human resources “...includes all other groups routinely working with the cockpit crew (or pilot) who are involved in decisions that are required to operate a flight safely. These groups include, but are not limited to: dispatchers, cabin crewmembers, maintenance personnel, and air traffic controllers. ” CRM is not a single TASK, it is a set of skill competencies that must be evident in all TASKS in this PTS as applied to either single pilot or a crew operation.

FAA-S-8081-14 vi

METRIC CONVERSION INITIATIVE To assist pilots in understanding and using the metric measurement system, the practical test standards refer to the metric equivalent of various altitudes throughout. The inclusion of meters is intended to familiarize pilots with its use. The metric altimeter is arranged in 10 meter increments;

therefore, when converting from feet to meters, the exact conversion, being too exact for practical purposes, is rounded to the nearest 10 meter increment or even altitude as necessary.

MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATION The term “recommended” refers to the manufacturer's recommendation. If the manufacturer's recommendation is not available, the description in AC 61-21 shall be used.

SPECIFIED BY THE EXAMINER Use of the word “specified” means as specified by the examiner.

EXAMINER1 RESPONSIBILITY The examiner conducting the practical test is responsible for determining that the applicant meets the acceptable standards of knowledge and skill outlined in the Objective of each TASK within the appropriate practical test standard. Since there is no formal division between the “knowledge” and “skill” portions of the practical test, oral questioning becomes an ongoing process throughout the test. Oral questioning, to determine the applicant's knowledge of the TASKS and related safety factors, should be used judiciously at all times, especially during the flight portion of the practical test.

Examiners shall test to the greatest extent practicable the applicant's correlative abilities rather than mere rote enumeration of facts throughout the practical test.

Throughout the flight portion of the practical test, the examiner shall evaluate the applicant's procedures for visual scanning, inflight collision avoidance, runway incursion avoidance, and positive exchange of flight controls.

1The word “examiner” denotes either the FAA inspector or FAA designated pilot examiner who conducts the flight test.

FAA-S-8081-14vii

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITY An appropriately rated flight instructor is responsible for training the student to acceptable standards in all knowledge areas, procedures, and maneuvers as outlined in the Objective of each TASK within the appropriate Private Pilot Practical Test Standard. Because of the impact of their teaching activities in developing safe, proficient pilots, flight instructors should exhibit a high level of knowledge and skill, and the ability to impart that knowledge and skill to students. Additionally, the flight instructor must certify that the applicant is able to perform safely as a private pilot and is competent to pass the required practical test for the certificate or rating sought.

Throughout the applicant's training, the flight instructor is responsible for emphasizing effective visual scanning, and inflight collision and runway incursion avoidance, and the positive exchange of flight controls. These areas are covered, in part, in AC 90-48, Pilots’ Role in Collision Avoidance;

AC 61-21, Flight Training Handbook; AC 61-23, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge; and the Airman's Information Manual.

SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE Satisfactory performance is based on the applicant’s ability to safely:

1. perform the approved AREAS OF OPERATION for the certificate or rating sought within the approved standards;

2. demonstrate mastery of the aircraft with the successful outcome of each task performed never seriously in doubt;

3. demonstrate satisfactory proficiency and competency within the approved standards;

4. demonstrate sound judgment; and

5. demonstrate single-pilot competence if the aircraft is type certificated for single-pilot operations.

UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE If, in the judgment of the examiner, the applicant does not meet the standards of performance of any TASK performed, the associated AREA OF OPERATION is failed and, therefore, the practical test is failed. The examiner or applicant may discontinue the test any time after the failure of an AREA OF OPERATION makes the applicant ineligible for the certificate or rating sought. The test will be continued ONLY with the consent of the applicant. Whether the test is continued or discontinued, the applicant is entitled credit for only those TASKS satisfactorily performed. However, during the retest and at the discretion of the examiner, any TASK may be re-evaluated, including those previously passed.