FAA-S-8081-8A U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR Practical Test Standards for GLIDER APRIL 1999
FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE Washington, DC 20591
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR Practical Test Standards for GLIDER 1999
FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE Washington, DC 20591
FAA-S-8081-8A NOTE Material in FAA-S-8081-8A will be effective April 1, 1999. All previous editions of the Flight Instructor—Glider Practical Test Standards will be obsolete as of this date.
FAA-S-8081-8A
FOREWORD The Flight Instructor—Glider Practical Test Standards (PTS) book has been published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish the standards for flight instructor certification practical tests for the glider category. 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 practical tests.
___________________________ L. Nicholas Lacey Director, Flight Standards Service
FAA-S-8081-8Ai
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION1
General Information1
Practical Test Standard Concept2
Test Book Description2
Practical Test Standards Description2
Use of the Practical Test Standards Book4
Practical Test Prerequisites6
Aircraft and Equipment Required for the Practical Test7
Flight Instructor Responsibility7
Examiner Responsibility8
Satisfactory Performance8
Unsatisfactory Performance9
Crew Resource Management (CRM)10
Applicant’s Use of Checklists10
Use of Distractions During Practical Tests10
Positive Exchange of Flight Controls10
Additional Rating Table11
CHECKLISTS:
Applicant’s Practical Test Checklist13
Examiner’s Practical Test Checklist15
AREAS OF OPERATION:
I. FUNDAMENTALS OF INSTRUCTING1-1
A. The Learning Process1-1
B. Human Behavior1-1
C. The Teaching Process1-2
D. Teaching Methods1-2
E. Critique and Evaluation1-2
F. Flight Instructor Characteristics and
Responsibilities1-3
G. Planning Instructional Activity1-3
II. TECHNICAL SUBJECT AREAS1-4
A. Aeromedical Factors1-4
B. Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance1-4
C. Use of Distractions During Flight Training1-5
D. Principles of Flight1-5
E. Elevators, Ailerons, and Rudder1-5
F. Trim, Lift, and Drag Devices1-6
G. Glider Weight and Balance1-6
FAA-S-8081-8A ii
H. Navigation and Flight Planning1-6
I. Regulations and Publications1-7
J. National Airspace System1-7
K. Logbook Entries and Certificate Endorsements1-7
lll. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION1-8
A. Certificates and Documents1-8
B. Weather Information1-8
C. Operation of Systems1-9
D. Performance and Limitations1-9
IV. PREFLIGHT LESSON ON A MANEUVER TO BE
PERFORMED IN FLIGHT1-10
Maneuver Lesson1-10
V. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES1-11
A. Assembly1-11
B. Ground Handling1-12
C. Preflight Inspection1-13
D. Cockpit Management1-14
E. Visual Signals1-15
VI. AIRPORT AND GLIDERPORT OPERATIONS1-16
A. Radio Communications1-16
B. Traffic Patterns1-17
C. Airport, Runway, and Taxiway Signs, Markings,
and Lighting1-18
VII. LAUNCHES AND LANDINGS1-19
AERO TOW
A. Before Takeoff Check1-19
B. Normal and Crosswind Takeoff1-20
C. Maintaining Tow Positions1-21
D. Slack Line1-21
E. Boxing The Wake1-22
F. Tow Release1-23
G. Abnormal Occurrences1-23
FAA-S-8081-8Aiii
GROUND TOW (AUTO OR WINCH)
H. Before Takeoff Check1-24
I. Normal and Crosswind Takeoff1-25
J. Abnormal Occurrences1-26
SELF-LAUNCH
K. Engine Starting1-27
L. Taxiing1-28
M. Before Takeoff Check1-29
N. Normal and Crosswind Takeoff and Climb1-30
O. Engine Shutdown In Flight1-31
P. Engine Restart In Flight1-32
Q. Abnormal Occurrences1-33
LANDINGS
R. Normal and Crosswind Landing1-34
S. Slips to Landing1-35
T. Downwind Landing1-36
VIII. FUNDAMENTALS OF FLIGHT1-37
A. Straight Glides1-37
B. Turns To Headings1-38
IX. PERFORMANCE AIRSPEEDS1-39
A. Minimum Sink Airspeed1-39
B. Speed-To-Fly1-40
X. SOARING TECHNIQUES1-41
A. Thermal Soaring1-41
B. Ridge and Slope Soaring1-42
C. Wave Soaring1-43
Xl. PERFORMANCE MANEUVERS1-44
A. Steep Turns1-44
B. Recovery From a Spiral Dive1-45
FAA-S-8081-8A iv
XII. SLOW FLIGHT, STALLS, AND SPINS1-46
A. Maneuvering at Minimum Control Airspeed1-46
B. Stall Recognition and Recovery1-47
C. Spins1-48
XIII. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS1-49
A. Simulated Off-Airport Landing1-49
B. Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear1-50
XIV. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES1-51
After-Landing and Securing1-51
FAA-S-8081-8A1
INTRODUCTION General Information The Flight Standards Service of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed this practical test book as the standard to be used by FAA inspectors and designated pilot examiners when conducting flight instructor—glider 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 many individuals and organizations throughout the aviation community who contributed their time and talent in assisting with the revision of these practical test standards.
These practical test standards may be accessed through the Internet at www.fedworld.gov/pub/faa-att/faa-att.htm, or by modem at 703-321-3339.
You may purchase these standards from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Changes to these standards, in accordance with AC 60-27, Announcement of Availability: Changes to Practical Test Standards, will be available through the Internet and then later incorporated into a printed revision. For a listing of changes, AFS-600’s Internet web site may be accessed at www.mmac.jccbi.gov/afs/afs600.htm.
Comments regarding this publication should be sent to:
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards Service Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630 P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125
FAA-S-8081-8A 2 Practical Test Standard Concept Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61 specifies the areas in which knowledge and skill must be demonstrated by the applicant before the issuance of a flight instructor certificate with the associated category and class ratings. The CFR’s provide the flexibility to permit the FAA to publish practical test standards containing the AREAS OF OPERATION and specific TASKS in which competency shall be demonstrated. The FAA shall 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 flight instructor applicants.
Test Book Description This test book contains the practical test standards for flight instructor— glider. Other flight instructor practical test books include:
FAA-S-8081-6 Flight Instructor—Airplane (Single-Engine and Multiengine) FAA-S-8081-7 Flight Instructor—Rotorcraft (Helicopter and Gyroplane) FAA-S-8081-9 Flight Instructor—Instrument (Airplane and Helicopter) The flight instructor practical test standards include the AREAS OF OPERATION and TASKS required for the issuance of an initial flight instructor certificate and for the addition of a category and/or class rating to that certificate.
Practical Test Standards Description AREAS OF OPERATION are phases of the practical test arranged in a logical sequence within each standard. They begin with Fundamentals of Instructing and end with Postflight Procedures. The examiner, however, may conduct the practical test in any sequence that will result in a complete and efficient test.
TASKS are titles of knowledge areas, flight procedures, or maneuvers appropriate to an AREA OF OPERATION.
NOTE is used to emphasize special considerations required in the AREA OF OPERATION or TASK.
FAA-S-8081-8A3 REFERENCE identifies the publication(s) that describe(s) the TASK.
Descriptions of TASKS and maneuver tolerances are not included in these standards because this information can be found in the current issue of the listed reference. Publications other than those listed may be used for references if their content conveys substantially the same meaning as the referenced publications.
These practical test standards are based on the following references.
14 CFR part 1 Definitions and Abbreviations 14 CFR part 23 Airworthiness Standards: Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes 14 CFR part 43 Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration 14 CFR part 61 Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors 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 60-14 Aviation Instructor’s Handbook AC 61-21 Flight Training Handbook AC 61-23 Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge AC 61-65 Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors AC 61-67 Stall and Spin Awareness Training AC 61-84 Role of Preflight Preparation AC 61-94 Pilot Transition Course for Self-Launching or Powered Sailplanes (Motorgliders) AC 61-98 Currency and Additional Qualification Requirements for Certificated Pilots AC 90-48 Pilots’ Role in Collision Avoidance AC 90-66 Recommended Standard Traffic Patterns and Practices for Aeronautical Operations at Airports without Operating Control Towers FAA-S-8081-22 Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Glider FAA-S-8081-23 Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards for Glider AIM Aeronautical Information Manual AFD Airport Facility Directory NOTAM’s Notices to Airmen Other Soaring Flight Manual (Jeppesen Sanderson) Glider Flight Manuals
FAA-S-8081-8A 4 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. conditions under which the TASK is to be performed; and
3. acceptable performance standards.
The examiner determines that the applicant meets the TASK Objective through the demonstration of competency in various elements of knowledge and/or skill. The Objectives of TASKS in certain AREAS OF OPERATION, such as Fundamentals of Instructing and Technical Subjects, include only knowledge elements. Objectives of TASKS in AREAS OF OPERATION that include elements of skill, as well as knowledge, also include common errors which the applicant shall be able to describe, recognize, analyze, and correct.
The Objective of a TASK that involves pilot skill consists of four parts. The four parts include determination that the applicant exhibits:
1. instructional knowledge of the elements of a TASK. This is accomplished through descriptions, explanations, and simulated instruction;
2. instructional knowledge of common errors related to a TASK, including their recognition, analysis, and correction;
3. the ability to demonstrate and simultaneously explain the key elements of a TASK. The TASK demonstration must be to the COMMERCIAL PILOT skill level; the teaching techniques and procedures should conform to those set forth in AC 60-14, Aviation Instructor's Handbook, and AC 61-21, Flight Training Handbook; and
4. the ability to analyze and correct common errors related to a TASK.
Use of the Practical Test Standards Book The FAA requires that all practical tests be conducted in accordance with the appropriate flight instructor practical test standards and the policies set forth in the INTRODUCTION.
All of the procedures and maneuvers in the private pilot and commercial pilot practical test standards have been included in the flight instructor practical test standards; however, to permit completion of the practical test for initial certification within a reasonable timeframe, the examiner shall select one or more TASKS in each AREA OF OPERATION. In certain AREAS OF OPERATION, there are required TASKS which the examiner must select. These required TASKS are identified by a NOTE immediately following each AREA OF OPERATION title.