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Private Pilot Performance Standards
75% of Applicant failures are due to instructor failure. The Applicant must know that he is pilot in command as well as in compliance with the eligibility rules. The DPE, Designated Pilot Examiner is supposed to ask questions in such a way at to avoid rote answers in preference for his correlative abilities. The instructor must certify that the Applicant is ready for and capable of passing the test. The CFI is responsible for everything, the application, the logbook, and the flight performance
The PTS is a sampling process of performance. The performance sample must be done within the performance limits of the test aircraft. Smoothness, accuracy, and judgment are the test criteria. The DPE Designated Pilot Examiner is looking for the pilot to demonstrate aircraft mastery in the performance of maneuvers as specified in FAR 61.43. Failure in any one PO (Pilot operation) fails only that PO. At any point either the DPE or applicant can end the test. Only items failed or not tested need to be completed when the test is resumed.
Any PO that requires DPE intervention or includes failure to use proper and effective clearing or scanning is a failure of that PO. Repeated exceeding of performance tolerance and failure to initiate corrections promptly are failures as well. The applicant should never stop a maneuver that is out of tolerance. Correcting any out of tolerance situation immediately is not a failure unless the DPE calls it a failure.
The latest series of FAA question banks were established February 16, 1999. Do not use any earlier test bank since the ORDER of the answers have been changed as well as some of the questions. Private pilot has 915 questions and 13 different tests. Instrument Rating has 942 questions with latest update in terminology. Commercial has 963 questions with some changes in order and wording. 100 questions to be completed in three hours.
Instructor’s endorsement is a professional approval of an applicant’s ability to fly safely over the full gamut of required performance. The actual checkride is but a series of snapshots to affirm the instructor’s judgment. To make the checkride valid the examiner begins with his plan of what will be done. Expect to be asked to do something that you have never done before. This is an important element of the test that tests your ability to adapt to the unexpected.
The instructor won’t sign your certificate unless he is reasonably certain that you will pass the test. The test, oral and flight, is divided into areas of operation and tasks. All operations and tasks must be tested. The examiner may vary the order of the test to promote efficiency and validity. The reference for each area is listed in the PTS.
If a student fails to learn, someone has failed to teach. It the instructor's fault that an area of knowledge is weak or a flight skill is deficient. An instructor must demand the study time needed to detect and correct any weakness. The checkride is more of a test of the instructor’s training program than of student performance.
The practical test is the last hurdle to certification. The test is to determine if you have the training and proficiency required. The test is a presentation of tasks to be evaluated by oral questioning, observation or in combination. Only question/answer references are those listed in the PTS. Seldom used material is to be found by use of reference to POH, AIM or A/F Directory, etc. The FAA highest priority is that the test be fair. I have always found it so for the past twenty-five years.
I have never known a DE not to give a student a fair shake on the flight test. Often they will give a second chance if performance does not meet PTS requirements. Two-time-Tommys don’t get many applicants. If, after going over the PTS you find an area where your procedure is different talk it over with your instructor and again with the DE before flying. There are often several interpretations of just what is wanted during the flight test. By the time you take the test you should be able to perform to the DE’s expectations what ever they may be.
The applicant must be free of distractions that will affect flying. Use mnemonics to reduce distractions and facilitate use of checklists. Expect the examiner to review knowledge of FARs, POH, V-speeds and planning. Expect questions on aircraft systems, engine operations and aircraft performance.
Annotated PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS (PTS)
Specified areas of operation where knowledge and skill are to be demonstrated through oral performance and the performance of specific TASKS done to show competency.
Following the groundwork, which is mostly oral, the required tasks will cover a typical flight from beginning to end. Included will be TASKS, KNOWLEDGE AREAS and appropriate MANEUVERS. Every aspect of the PTS has a related AC reference shown in the PTS. Every TASK includes objectives related to what is to be done, the conditions and the acceptable minimum performance standards. An applicant shall be tested on all TASKS and
AREAS OF OPERATION in their entirety,
SPECIAL EMPHASIS AREAS
--Control –coordinated—correct--smooth
--Positive exchange of control—verbal transfer and acceptance
--Stall/spin awareness—yaw required—altitude required for recovery
--Collision avoidance—It takes more than luck to become an old pilot.
--Wake turbulence avoidance—Avoid flying under the Big Boys.
--LAHSO operations—Better no to do because of unforeseen factors.
--Incursion avoidance—Plan and diagram routes , read back clearances, get help.
--CFIT Controlled flight into terrain—when in doubt climb.
--ADM Aeronautical Decision Making—avoid series of bad decisions
--CRM Crew resource management—Get help inside and outside the cockpit—fly the plane first
--Use of checklists—before and after every phase of flight
--Use of distractions—fly the plane first—"wind the clock" --
--Inside/outside—Divide your attention—variable proportions to situation
--Metric equivalents (200’ = 60 meters as base) –may be asked on checkride—in PTS
--Other areas
PRIVATE PILOT PREREQUISITES
–Age 17+
--English command
--Passed written
--Required training
--3rd medical
--Instructors endorsement in logbook
–Endorsement as knowing missed written questions
–Application endorsement
AIRCRAFT PREREQUISITES
–Airworthy and certificated aircraft
--Registered as category, class and type
--Dual controls
--Aircraft capable of doing required maneuvers.
–Aircraft and engine logbooks with maintenance endorsements
CFI RESPONSIBILITY
–Teach to standards
--Teach safe flying
EXAMINER RESPONSIBILITY
–Determine standards are met.
--No separation of oral and skill portions.
--Test correlative ability
--Evaluate scanning and collision avoidance.
SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE
–Perform to standards
--Mastery of control
--Proficiency and competency to standards.
--Good judgment
--Meets minimums
FAILURE
--Doesn’t meet standards of any one element of test.
--Applicant or examiner may stop Test.
--Applicant can be credited for elements passed.
--Any action or lack of action requiring examiner intervention.
--Failure to clear or scan by applicant.
--Consistently exceeding performance tolerances.
--Failure to take corrective action when exceeding performance tolerance.
Examiner will record specifics of failure areas and those not covered.
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