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 V_A. This provides an option of a slower entry speed, when operating a lower performance land or seaplane.

MULTIENGINE LAND

AREA OF OPERATION: PERFORMANCE MANEUVER

TASK: STEEP TURNS

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.

 

 

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

 

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.

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 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 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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

EXAMINER 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.

 

 

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.

 

Typical areas of unsatisfactory performance and grounds for disqualification are:

1. Any action or lack of action by the applicant which 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 disapproval notice is issued, the examiner will record the applicant's unsatisfactory performance in terms of the AREA OF OPERATION appropriate to the practical test conducted.

 

USE OF RATING TASKS TABLES

If an applicant already holds a private pilot certificate and is seeking an additional class rating, use the appropriate table at the beginning of each section to determine which TASKS are required to be evaluated. However, at the discretion of the examiner, the applicant’s competence in any TASK may be evaluated.

 

If the applicant holds two or more category or class ratings at the private level, and the table indicates differing required TASKS, the "least restrictive" entry applies. For example, if "ALL" and "NONE" are indicated for one AREA OF OPERATION, the "NONE" entry applies. If "B" and "B, C" are indicated, the "B" entry applies.

 

AIRPLANE MULTIENGINE LAND (AMEL) Practical Test Standard

NOTE: An applicant seeking initial certification as a private pilot with an airplane multiengine land class rating will be evaluated in all TASKS listed within this section.

 

At the discretion of the examiner, an applicant seeking the addition of an airplane multiengine land class rating need not be evaluated on those AREAS OF OPERATIONS/TASKS so noted in the following rating tasks table.

* If the applicant is instrument rated and instrument competency in a multiengine airplane has not been previously demonstrated,

TASKS B, C, and D may be performed at this time, otherwise a VFR ONLY restriction shall be specified on the issued certificate.

Multi-Engine | MEL PTS Index