AC 61-131

FAA-S-8081-22 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

PRIVATE PILOT Practical Test Standards for GLIDER APRIL 1999

FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE Washington, DC 20591

PRIVATE PILOT Practical Test Standards for GLIDER 1999

FLIGHT STANDARDS SERVICE Washington, DC 20591

FAA-S-8081-22 NOTE Material in FAA-S-8081-22 will be effective April 1, 1999. All previous editions of the Private Pilot—Glider Practical Test Standards will be obsolete as of this date.

FAA-S-8081-22

FOREWORD The Private Pilot—Glider 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 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

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION1

General Information1

Practical Test Standard Concept2

Test Book Description2

Practical Test Standards Description2

Use of the Practical Test Standards Book3

Practical Test Prerequisites4

Aircraft and Equipment Required for the Practical Test5

Flight Instructor Responsibility5

Examiner Responsibility6

Satisfactory Performance6

Unsatisfactory Performance6

Crew Resource Management (CRM)7

Applicant’s Use of Checklists7

Use of Distractions During Practical Tests7

Positive Exchange of Flight Controls8

Metric Conversion Initiative8

Additional Rating Task Table9

CHECKLISTS:

Applicant’s Practical Test Checklist11

Examiner’s Practical Test Checklist13

AREAS OF OPERATION:

I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION1-1

A. Certificates and Documents1-1

B. Weather Information1-1

C. Operation of Systems1-2

D. Performance and Limitations1-2

E. Aeromedical Factors1-3

II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES1-4

A. Assembly1-4

B. Ground Handling1-4

C. Preflight Inspection1-5

D. Cockpit Management1-5

E. Visual Signals1-5

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III. AIRPORT AND GLIDERPORT OPERATIONS1-6

A. Radio Communications1-6

B. Traffic Patterns1-6

C. Airport, Runway, and Taxiway Signs, Markings,

and Lighting1-7

IV. LAUNCHES AND LANDINGS1-8

AERO TOW

A. Before Takeoff Check1-8

B. Normal and Crosswind Takeoff1-8

C. Maintaining Tow Positions1-9

D. Slack Line1-9

E. Boxing the Wake1-9

F. Tow Release1-10

G. Abnormal Occurrences1-10

GROUND TOW (AUTO OR WINCH)

H. Before Takeoff Check1-11

I. Normal and Crosswind Takeoff1-11

J. Abnormal Occurrences1-12

SELF-LAUNCH

K. Engine Starting1-13

L. Taxiing1-13

M. Before Takeoff Check1-13

N. Normal and Crosswind Takeoff and Climb1-14

O. Engine Shutdown In Flight1-14

P. Abnormal Occurrences1-15

LANDINGS

Q. Normal and Crosswind Landing1-16

R. Slip to Landing1-16

S. Downwind Landing1-17

V. PERFORMANCE AIRSPEEDS1-18

A. Minimum Sink Airspeed1-18

B. Speed-To-Fly1-18

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VI. SOARING TECHNIQUES1-19

A. Thermal Soaring1-19

B. Ridge and Slope Soaring1-19

C. Wave Soaring1-20

VII. PERFORMANCE MANUEVERS1-21

A. Straight Glides1-21

B. Turns to Headings1-21

C. Steep Turns1-21

VIII. NAVIGATION1-22

A. Flight Preparation and Planning1-22

B. National Airspace System1-22

IX. SLOW FLIGHT AND STALLS1-23

A. Maneuvering at Minimum Control Airspeed1-23

B. Stall Recognition and Recovery1-23

X. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS1-24

A. Simulated Off-Airport Landing1-24

B. Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear1-24

XI. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES1-25

After-Landing and Securing1-25

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INTRODUCTION General Information 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—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-8081-22 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 private pilot certificate or rating. 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 pilot 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 private pilot applicants.

Test Book Description This test book contains the practical test standards for private pilot—glider. This includes the AREAS OF OPERATION and TASKS required for the issuance of an initial private pilot—glider certificate and for the addition of category ratings.

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.

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.

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 references if their content conveys substantially the same meaning as the referenced publications.

FAA-S-8081-223 These practical test standards are based on the following references.

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 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 61-65 Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors AC 61-84 Role of Preflight Preparation 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.

AIM Aeronautical Information Manual AFD Airport Facility Directory NOTAM's Notices to Airmen Other Soaring Flight Manual (Jeppeson Sanderson) Glider Flight Manual 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.

Use of the Practical Test Standards Book The FAA requires that all practical tests be conducted in accordance with the appropriate practical test standards and the policies set forth in the INTRODUCTION. Applicants shall be evaluated in ALL TASKS included in each AREA OF OPERATION of the appropriate practical test standard, unless otherwise noted.

An applicant who holds a private pilot certificate seeking an additional glider category rating, will be evaluated in at least the AREAS OF OPERATION and TASKS listed in the Additional Rating Task Table located on page 9 of this practical test standard. At the discretion of the examiner, an evaluation of the applicant’s competence in the remaining AREAS OF OPERATION and TASKS may be conducted.

FAA-S-8081-22 4 In preparation for each practical test, the examiner shall develop a written “plan of action.” The “plan of action” shall include all TASKS in each AREA OF OPERATION, unless noted otherwise. If the elements in one TASK have already been evaluated in another TASK, they need not be repeated. For example, the “plan of action” need not include evaluating the applicant on complying with markings, signals, and clearances at the end of the flight, if that element was sufficiently observed at the beginning of the flight. Any TASKS selected for evaluation during a practical test shall be evaluated in its entirety.

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 have an orderly and efficient flow of the practical test. For example, Boxing The Wake may be combined with Maintaining Tow Positions. 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 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. The examiner shall also emphasize stall/spin awareness, wake turbulence avoidance, low-level wind shear, collision avoidance, runway incursion avoidance, and checklist usage.

The examiner is expected to use good judgment in the performance of simulated emergency procedures. The use of the safest means for simulation is expected. Consideration must be given to local conditions, both meteorological and topographical, at the time of the test, as well as the applicant’s workload, and the condition of the aircraft used. If the procedure being evaluated would put the maneuver in jeopardy, it is expected that the applicant will simulate that portion of the maneuver.

Practical Test Prerequisites An applicant for the private pilot—glider practical test is required by 14 CFR part 61 to:

1. be at least 16 years of age;

2. be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If there is a doubt, use AC 60-28, English Language Skill Standards;

3. hold at least a student pilot certificate;

4. have passed the appropriate private pilot knowledge test(s) since the beginning of the 24th month before the month in which he or she takes the practical test;

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5. have satisfactorily accomplished the required training and obtained the aeronautical experience prescribed;

6. have an endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that the applicant has received flight training time within 60 days preceding the date of application in preparation for the practical test, and is prepared for the practical test; and

7. also have an endorsement certifying that the applicant has demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of the subject areas in which the applicant was deficient on the airman knowledge test.

Aircraft and Equipment Required for the Practical Test The private pilot—glider applicant is required by 14 CFR section 61.45, to provide an airworthy, certificated aircraft for use during the practical test. This section further requires that the aircraft must:

1. have fully functioning dual controls, except as provided for in 14 CFR section 61.45(c) and (e); and

2. be capable of performing all AREAS OF OPERATION appropriate to the rating sought and have no operating limitations which prohibit its use in any of the AREAS OF OPERATION required for the practical test.

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 each AREA OF OPERATION in this 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 the ability to impart that knowledge and skill to students.

Throughout the applicant's training, the flight instructor is responsible for emphasizing the performance of effective visual scanning and collision avoidance procedures.