AC 61-124

FAA-S-8081-17 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

PRIVATE PILOT Practical Test Standards for

LIGHTER-THAN-AIR

BALLOON

AIRSHIP JUNE 1996

FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE Washington, DC 20591

PRIVATE PILOT

LIGHTER-THAN-AIR Practical Test Standards 1996

FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE Washington, DC 20591

NOTE Material in FAA-S-8081-17 will be effective June 1, 1996. All previous editions of the Private Pilot – Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon and Airship) Practical Test Standards will be obsolete as of this date.

FOREWORD The Private Pilot – Lighter-Than-Air (Ballon and Airship) Practical Test Standards (PTS) book has been published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish the standards for private pilot certification practical tests for the lighter-than-air category, balloon and airship 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

FAA-S-8081-171

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTIONiii

PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS CONCEPTiv

PRIVATE PILOT LIGHTER-THAN-AIR PRACTICAL TEST

STANDARDS BOOK DESCRIPTIONiv

PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS DESCRIPTIONiv

USE OF THE PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS BOOKvi

PRIVATE PILOT LIGHTER-THAN-AIR PRACTICAL TEST

PREREQUISITESvii

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR

THE PRACTICAL TESTvii

METRIC CONVERSION INITIATIVEviii

POSITIVE EXCHANGE OF FLIGHT CONTROLSviii

USE OF DISTRACTIONS DURING PRACTICAL TESTSviii

APPLICANT’S USE OF CHECKLISTSviii

CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (CRM)ix

MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDATIONix

SPECIFIED BY THE EXAMINERix

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITYix

EXAMINER RESPONSIBILITYx

SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCEx

UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCEx

SECTION 1: PRIVATE PILOT LIGHTER-THAN-AIR — BALLOON

CONTENTS1-i

APPLICANT’S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST (BALLOON) .1-iii EXAMINER’S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST (BALLOON) .. 1-v AREAS OF OPERATION:

I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION1-1

II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES1-5

III. AIRPORT OPERATIONS1-8

IV. LAUNCHES AND LANDINGS1-9

V. PERFORMANCE MANEUVERS1-11

VI. NAVIGATION1-14

VII. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS1-15

VIII. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES1-17

FAA-S-8081-17 2 SECTION 2: PRIVATE PILOT LIGHTER-THAN-AIR — AIRSHIP

CONTENTS2-i

APPLICANT’S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST (AIRSHIP)2-iii

EXAMINER’S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST (AIRSHIP)2-v

AREAS OF OPERATION:

I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION2-1

II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES2-6

III. AIRPORT OPERATIONS2-9

IV. TAKEOFFS, LANDINGS, AND GO-AROUND2-11

V. PERFORMANCE MANEUVERS2-14

VI. GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVERS2-16

VII. NAVIGATION2-17

VIII. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS2-19

IX. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES2-21

FAA-S-8081-171

INTRODUCTION The Flight Standards Service of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed this practical test book as a standard to be used by FAA inspectors and designated pilot examiners when conducting private pilot – lighter-than-air (balloon and airship) practical tests. Flight instructors are expected to use this book when preparing applicants for practical tests. Applicants should be familiar with this book and refer to these standards during their training.

Information considered directive in nature is described in this practical test book in terms such as “shall” and “must” indicating the actions are mandatory. Guidance information is described in terms such as “should” and “may” indicating the actions are desirable or permissive but not mandatory.

The FAA gratefully acknowledges the valuable assistance provided by the many individuals and organizations who contributed their time and talent in assisting with the revision of these practical test standards.

This practical test standard may be accessed through the FedWorld Information System. It may also be accessed via the Internet using the following addresses:

Telenet access via Internet: fedworld.gov FTP site access access via Internet: ftp://ftp.fedworld.gov/pub/faa World Wide Web: http://www.fedworld.gov This publication may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

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

FAA-S-8081-17 2

PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS CONCEPT Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) specifies the areas in which knowledge and skill must be demonstrated by the applicant before the issuance of a private pilot certificate. The CFR's provide the flexibility to permit the FAA to publish practical test standards containing specific TASKS in which pilot competency must be demonstrated. The FAA will revise this book whenever it is determined that changes are needed in the interest of safety.

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

PRIVATE PILOT LIGHTER-THAN-AIR PRACTICAL TEST

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

Section 1 Lighter-Than-Air, Balloon Section 2 Lighter-Than-Air, Airship The Private Pilot Lighter-Than-Air 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.

PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS DESCRIPTION AREAS OF OPERATION are phases of the practical test arranged in a logical sequence. 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 represent knowledge, 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, if their content conveys substantially the same meaning as the listed publications.

FAA-S-8081-173 Reference list:

14 CFR part 43 Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration 14 CFR part 61 Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors 14 CFR part 67 Medical Standards and Certification 14 CFR part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules 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 61-84 Role of Preflight Preparation AC 91-13 Cold Weather Operation of Aircraft AC 91-23 Pilot's Weight and Balance Handbook AIM Aeronautical Information Manual AFD Airport Facility Directory NOTAM's Notices to Airmen Balloon Flight Manual Airship Flight Manual Industry Related Manuals 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.

FAA-S-8081-17 4

USE OF THE PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS BOOK The FAA requires that all private pilot practical tests be conducted in accordance with the appropriate Private Pilot Practical Test Standards and the policies set forth in this INTRODUCTION. Private pilot applicants shall be evaluated in ALL TASKS included in the AREAS 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. Each 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 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 and efficient flow of the practical test. For example, a rectangular course may be combined with an airport traffic pattern or lost procedures may be combined with radio navigation.

However, the Objectives of all TASKS must be demonstrated and evaluated at some time during the practical test. The examiner's “plan of action ” shall include the order and combination of TASKS to be demonstrated by the applicant in a manner that will result in an efficient and valid test.

Examiners shall place special emphasis upon areas of aircraft operation 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. THE EXAMINER SHALL ALSO

EMPHASIZE WAKE TURBULENCE AVOIDANCE, LOW LEVEL

WIND SHEAR, IN-FLIGHT COLLISION AVOIDANCE, RUNWAY INCURSION AVOIDANCE, AND CHECKLIST USAGE.

FAA-S-8081-175

PRIVATE PILOT LIGHTER-THAN-AIR PRACTICAL TEST

PREREQUISITES An applicant for the private pilot lighter-than-air practical test is required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations to:

1. pass the appropriate private pilot knowledge 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 private pilot certificate or training sought;

3. hold at least a current third-class medical certificate issued under 14 CFR part 67; or posses a Medical Statement declaring that they have no known physical defect which makes them unable to pilot a free balloon;

4. meet the age requirement for the issuance of the certificate or rating sought; (16 years of age for the free balloon, 17 years of age for the airship), 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, if any, 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 14 CFR part 61 requirements are substantiated by reliable records.

AIRCRAFT AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR THE PRACTICAL TEST The private pilot applicant is required by 14 CFR section 61.45 to provide an appropriate, airworthy, certificated aircraft for use during 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-8081-17 6

METRIC CONVERSION INITIATIVE To assist the 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.

POSITIVE EXCHANGE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS During the practical test, there must always be a clear understanding of who has control of the aircraft. Prior to the flight, a briefing should be conducted that includes the procedure for the exchange of flight controls. A positive three-step process in the exchange of flight controls between pilots is a proven procedure and one that is recommended.

When the examiner wishes to take the controls to allow the applicant to adjust the seat, headset, etc., he/she will say “I have the flight controls.”

The applicant will acknowledge immediately by saying, “You have the flight controls.” The examiner again says, “I have the flight controls. ” When control is returned to the applicant, follow the same procedure. A visual check is recommended to verify that the exchange has occurred.

There should never be any doubt as to who is flying the aircraft.

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 evaluate the pilot's ability to utilize proper control technique while dividing attention both inside and/or outside the cockpit, the examiner shall cause a realistic distraction during the flight portion of the practical test to evaluate the applicant's ability to divide attention while maintaining safe flight.

APPLICANT'S USE OF CHECKLISTS Throughout the practical test, the applicant is evaluated on the use of the appropriate 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 accomplished, would be appropriate. Use of the checklist must consider proper scanning and division of attention at all times.