FAA-S-8081-177
CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (CRM) CRM “ ...refers to the effective use of ALL available resources; human resources, hardware, and information.” Human resources “...includes all 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, dispatchers, cabin crewmembers, maintenance personnel, air traffic controllers, and weather services. ” CRM is not a single TASK, it is a set of knowledge and skill competencies that must be evident in all TASKS in this PTS as applied to either single pilot or a crew operation.
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.
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITY An appropriately rated flight instructor is responsible for training the private pilot applicant to acceptable standards in all subject matter areas, procedures, and maneuvers included in the TASKS 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, skill, and ability.
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.
Throughout the applicant's training, the flight instructor is responsible for emphasizing the performance of effective visual scanning, collision avoidance, and runway incursion avoidance procedures.
FAA-S-8081-17 8 EXAMINER1 RESPONSIBILITY The examiner conducting the practical test is responsible for determining that the applicant meets the acceptable standards of knowledge and skill of each TASK within the appropriate practical test standard. Since there is no formal division between the oral and skill portions of the practical test, this becomes an ongoing process throughout the test. To avoid unnecessary distractions, oral questioning 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 use of visual scanning and collision avoidance procedures.
SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE Satisfactory performance to meet the requirements for certification 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 sound judgment, aeronautical decision making, and skill competencies in CRM.
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. If the test is either 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.
1 The word “examiner” denotes either the FAA inspector or FAA designated pilot examiner who conducts the practical test.
FAA-S-8081-179 Typical areas of unsatisfactory performance and grounds for disqualification are:
1. Any action or lack of action by the applicant that requires corrective intervention by the examiner to maintain safe flight.
2. Failure to use proper and effective visual scanning techniques to clear the area before and while performing maneuvers.
3. Consistently exceeding tolerances stated in the Objectives.
4. Failure to take prompt corrective action when tolerances are exceeded.
When a notice of disapproval is issued, the examiner will record the applicant's unsatisfactory performance in terms of AREA OF OPERATIONS and TASKS appropriate to the practical test conducted.
FAA-S-8081-171-1 SECTION 1
PRIVATE PILOT
LIGHTER-THAN-AIR
BALLOON Practical Test Standards
FAA-S-8081-7A 1-2 CONTENTS: SECTION 1 CHECKLISTS:
Applicant's Practical Test Checklist (Balloon)1-iii
Examiner's Practical Test Checklist (Balloon)1-v
AREAS OF OPERATION:
I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION
A. CERTIFICATES AND DOCUMENTS1-1
B. WEATHER INFORMATION1-1
C. FLIGHT PLANNING1-2
D. NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM1-3
E. PERFORMANCE AND LIMITATIONS1-3
F. OPERATION OF SYSTEMS1-4
G. AEROMEDICAL FACTORS1-4
II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES
A. LAUNCH SITE SELECTION1-5
B. CREW BRIEFING AND PREPARATION1-5
C. LAYOUT AND ASSEMBLY1-6
D. PREFLIGHT INSPECTION1-6
E. INFLATION1-7
F. BASKET/GONDOLA MANAGEMENT1-7
G. PRE-LAUNCH CHECK1-7
III. AIRPORT OPERATIONS
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AND ATC LIGHT SIGNALS1-8
IV. LAUNCHES AND LANDINGS
A. NORMAL LAUNCH1-9
B. LAUNCH OVER OBSTACLE1-9
C. APPROACH TO LANDING1-9
D. NORMAL LANDING1-10
E. HIGH-WIND LANDING1-10
FAA-S-8081-171-3 V. PERFORMANCE MANEUVERS
A. ASCENTS1-11
B. ALTITUDE CONTROL (LEVEL FLIGHT)1-11
C. DESCENTS1-11
D. CONTOUR FLYING1-12
E. OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE1-12
F. TETHERING1-12
G. WINTER FLYING1-13
H. MOUNTAIN FLYING1-13
VI. NAVIGATION
NAVIGATION1-14
VII. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
A. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTIONS1-15
B. EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND SURVIVAL GEAR1-15
C. WATER LANDING1-16
D. THERMAL FLIGHT1-16
VIII. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES
A. RECOVERY1-17
B. DEFLATION AND PACKING1-17
C. REFUELING1-17
FAA-S-8081-7A 1-4
APPLICANT'S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST (BALLOON) APPOINTMENT WITH EXAMINER:
EXAMINER’S NAME__________________________ LOCATION _________________________________ DATE/TIME _________________________________
ACCEPTABLE AIRCRAFT Aircraft Documents:
Airworthiness Certficate Registration Certificate Operating Limitations Aircraft Maintenance Records:
Logbook Record of Airworthiness Inspections and AD Compliance Pilot’s Operating Handbook, FAA-Approved Flight Manual FCC Station License (if applicable)
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT PTS Current Aeronautical Charts Computer and Plotter Flight Logs Current AIM
PERSONAL RECORDS Identification - Photo/Signature ID Pilot Certificate Current and Appropriate Medical Certificate or Statement Completed FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application with Instructor’s Signature AC Form 8080-2, Airman Written Test Report or Computer Test Report Pilot Logbook with Appropriate Instructor Endorsements FAA Form 8060-5, Notice of Disapproval (if applicable) Approved School Graduation Certificate (if applicable) Examiner's Fee (if applicable)
FAA-S-8081-171-5
EXAMINER'S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST
PRIVATE PILOT - LIGHTER-THAN-AIR (BALLOON) APPLICANT'S NAME ___________________ LOCATION ___________________________ DATE/TIME ___________________________ I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION A. Certificates and Documents B. Weather Information C. Flight Planning D. National Airspace System E. Performance and Limitations F. Operations of Systems G. Aeromedical Factors II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES A. Launch Site Selection B. Crew Briefing and Preparation C. Layout and Assembly D. Preflight Inspection E. Inflation F. Baskett/Gondola Management G. Pre-launch Check III. AIRPORT OPERATIONS Radio Communications and ATC Light Signals IV. LAUNCHES AND LANDINGS A. Normal Launch B. Launch Over Obstacle C. Approach to Landing D. Normal Landing E. High-wind Landing
FAA-S-8081-7A 1-6 V. PERFORMANCE MANEUVERS A. Ascents B. Altitude control (Level Flight) C. Descents D. Contour Flying E. Obstruction Clearance F. Tethering G. Winter Flying H. Mountain Flying VI. NAVIGATION Navigation VII. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS A. Systems and Equipment Malfunctions B. Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear C. Water Landing D. Thermal Flight VIII. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES A. Recovery B. Deflation and Packing C. Refueling
FAA-S-8081-171-7 I. AREA OF OPERATION:
PREFLIGHT PREPARATION A. TASK: CERTIFICATES AND DOCUMENTS REFERENCES: 14 CFR parts 43, 61, 91; AC 61-21, AC 61-23;
Balloon Flight Manual.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to certificates and documents by explaining the appropriate—
a. pilot certificate privileges and limitations.
b. medical statement.
c. pilot logbook or flight record, required entries.
2. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to certificates and documents by locating and explaining the—
a. airworthiness and registration certificates.
b. operating limitations, placards, instrument markings, handbooks, and manuals.
c. weight data, including the equipment list as appropriate.
d. airworthiness directives and compliance records, maintenance/inspection requirements and appropriate records.
B. TASK: WEATHER INFORMATION REFERENCES: AC 00-6, AC 00-45, AC 61-23, AC 61-84; AIM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to weather information by analyzing weather reports and forecasts from various sources with emphasis on—
a. surface wind.
b. winds aloft.
c. wind shear.
d. PIREP’s.
e. SIGMET’s and AIRMET’s.
FAA-S-8081-7A 1-8
2. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to weather information by explaining various atmospheric conditions, and their effect on balloon flight, including—
a. temperature and pressure variations.
b. atmospheric stability.
c. cloud formations.
d. thunderstorms and associated turbulence.
e. thermals.
f. land and sea or lake breezes.
g. orographic winds.
3. Makes a competent “go/no-go” decision based on available weather information.
C. TASK: FLIGHT PLANNING REFERENCES: AC 61-21, AC 61-23, AC 61-84; Navigation Charts;
NOTAM’s; Airport/Facility Directory; AIM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements r elated to flight planning by presenting and explaining a preplanned flight of maximum duration, appropriate to the balloon used for the flight test, as previously assigned by the examiner. The final flight plan shall include real-time weather.
2. Uses appropriate, current aeronautical charts and appropriate, current local road/street maps.
3. Plots a course for the intended route of flight based on the winds aloft forecast.
4. Selects the appropriate VHF communication frequencies, if radio equipped.
5. Identifies airspace, obstructions, and terrain features.
6. Selects suitable landing areas.
7. Extracts and applies pertinent information from NOTAM’s, Airport/Facility Directory, and AIM as necessary.