Putting it all Together

Discussion withDesignated Examiners

Commercial

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Objectives

• To understand the Practical Test Procedures

• To prepare students for taking the Practical Test

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Overview• Who are Designated Pilot Examiners?

• Who are the Examiners: What are their responsibilities?

• What are the Practical Test Standards?

• How is the flight test administered?

• Some weaknesses and ideas for improvement

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Who are Designated Pilot Examiners?

• Qualifications

• Authority

• Public Law

• 14 CFR 183

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Examiner’s Responsibilities

• Determine that the applicant meets the acceptable standards

• These standards are delineated in the Practical Test Standards– Private Pilot FAA-S-8081-17

– Commercial Pilot FAA-S-8081-18

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What are the Practical Test Standards?

• Compilation of what you are expected to know

• Identifies what you are expected to perform and how well you must perform

• Structure– Areas of Operations– Tasks– Objectives

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Elements of the Practical Test

• Proper Paperwork– Completed 8710-1 Application– Logbooks– Written test results

• Oral Exam• Flight Test

– Need Airworthy Balloon– Need Appropriate Papers

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How a Check Ride Works

• Conducted in accordance with the Practical Test Standards

• Must be complete• Special emphasis

– Areas critical to aircraft safety– Precise aircraft control– Sound Judgment– Response to distractions

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The Oral Exam• Preflight Preparation

– Certificates and Documents– Weather Information– Flight Planning– National Airspace System– Performance and Limitations– Operations of Systems– Aero Medical Factors

• Airport Operations– Correlative Exercise

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The Flight• Conduct a lesson on a maneuver to be

performed in flight

• Flight Skills– Ascents/Descents– Level Flight– Contour Flying– Navigation

• Constantly answering questions and reaction to distractions

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Flight Test/ Check Ride

• Applicant is Pilot in Command

• Receive either:– Satisfactory Performance– Unsatisfactory Performance– Letter of Discontinuance

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Satisfactory Performance• For the commercial applicant

– Knowledge of fundamentals of instructing– Knowledge of technical subject areas– Knowledge of instructor responsibilities

• Concerning the pilot certification process• Concerning logbook entries• Concerning pilot certification endorsements

• Knowledge of development and effective use of a training course, syllabus and a lesson plan

• Ability to demonstrate all required procedures and maneuvers to the commercial pilot skill level.

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Observed Weakness in Applicants

• Private vs. Commercial applicants– Demonstrated performance vs.

demonstrated knowledge

• Instructor endorsements– Logbook entries for instruction

• Reference 14 CFR 61.107, 61.127

– Form 8710• Incomplete• Date format, experience, # of flights

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Observed (Specific) Weaknesses in Applicants (cont.)

• Sectionals– Ability to plot a course– Identifying classes of airspace

• Communication– Finding correct frequencies– Knowing the basic terminology

• Use of checklists– Layout and assembly– Inflation, launch, landing

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Suggestions for improvements

• Familiarity with Part 61 of 14CFR• Familiarity with the Practical Test

Standards• Thoroughness, perhaps using an

“Evaluation Checklist”• Help the student with the Form 8710

Application.

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After Successful Completion• Maltreatment by your crew and

“friends”• Accept new responsibilities

– Others will turn to you for information

– Know and abide by the rules, your actions will influence others

• You will train future pilots