COMMERCIAL PILOT - AIRPLANE
Practical Test Standards
VIII. AREA OF OPERATION: EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
NOTE: Examiners shall select an entry altitude that will allow the single engine demonstrations TASK to be completed no lower than 3,000 feet (920 meters) AGL or the manufacturer's recommended altitude, whichever is higher. At altitudes lower than 3,000 feet (920 meters) AGL, engine failure shall be simulated by reducing throttle to idle and then establishing zero thrust.
A. TASK: EMERGENCY DESCENT (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to an emergency descent.
2. Recognizes situations, such as depressurization, cockpit smoke and/or fire that require an emergency descent.
3. Establishes the appropriate airspeed and configuration for the emergency descent.
4. Exhibits orientation, division of attention, and proper planning.
5. Maintains positive load factors during the descent.
6. Completes appropriate checklists.
B. TASK: ENGINE FAILURE DURING TAKEOFF BEFORE VMC (SIMULATED) (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
NOTE: Engine failure (simulated) shall be accomplished before reaching 50 percent of the calculated VMC.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to the procedure used for engine failure during takeoff prior to reaching VMC.
2. Closes the throttles smoothly and promptly when simulated engine failure occurs.
3. Maintains directional control and applies brakes (AMEL) or flight controls (AMES), as necessary.
C. TASK: ENGINE FAILURE AFTER LIFT-OFF (SIMULATED) (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to the procedure used for engine failure after lift-off.
2. Recognizes a simulated engine failure promptly, maintains control, and utilizes appropriate emergency procedures.
3. Reduces drag, identifies and verifies the inoperative engine after simulated engine failure.
4. Simulates feathering the propeller on the inoperative engine. Examiner shall then establish zero-thrust on the inoperative engine.
5. Establishes VYSE; If obstructions are present, establishes VXSE or VMC +5 knots, whichever is greater, until obstructions are cleared. Then transitions to VYSE.
6. Banks toward the operating engine as required for best performance.
7. Monitors operating engine and makes adjustments, as necessary.
8. Recognizes the airplane's performance capabilities. If a climb is not possible at VYSE, maintain VYSE and return to the departure airport for landing, or initiates an approach to the most suitable landing area available.
9. Secures the (simulated) inoperative engine.
10. Maintains heading, ±10°, and airspeed, ±5 knots.
11. Completes appropriate emergency checklist.
D. TASK: APPROACH AND LANDING WITH AN INOPERATIVE ENGINE (SIMULATED) (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to an approach and landing with an engine inoperative to include engine failure on final approach.
2. Recognizes engine failure and takes appropriate action, maintains control, and utilizes recommended emergency procedures.
3. Banks toward the operating engine, as required, for best performance.
4. Monitors the operating engine and makes adjustments as necessary.
5. Maintains the recommended approach airspeed ±5 knots, and landing configuration with a stabilized approach, until landing is assured.
6 Makes smooth, timely and correct control applications during roundout and touchdown.
7. Touches down on the first one-third of available runway, with no drift and the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway center/landing path.
8. Maintains crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing sequence.
9. Completes appropriate checklists.
E. TASK: SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTIONS (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to systems and equipment malfunctions appropriate to the airplane provided for the practical test.
2. Analyzes the situation and takes appropriate action for simulated emergencies appropriate to the airplane provided for the practical test for at least five (5) of the following -
a. partial or complete power loss.
b. engine roughness or overheat.
c. carburetor or induction icing.
d. loss of oil pressure.
e. fuel starvation.
f. electrical malfunction.
g. vacuum/pressure, and associated flight instruments malfunction.
h. pitot/static.
i. landing gear or flap malfunction.
j. inoperative trim.
k. inadvertant door or window opening.
l. structural icing.
m. smoke/fire/engine compartment fire.
n. any other emergency appropriate to the airplane.
3. Follows the appropriate checklist or procedure.
F. TASK: EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND SURVIVAL GEAR (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to emergency equipment and survival gear appropriate to the airplane and environment encountered during flight. Identifies appropriate equipment that should be aboard the airplane.
IX. AREA OF OPERATION: HIGH ALTITUDE OPERATIONS
A. TASK: SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: 14 CFR part 91; FAA-H-8083-3, AC 61-107; AIM, POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant exhibits knowledge of the elements related to supplemental oxygen by explaining:
1. Supplemental oxygen requirements for flight crew and passengers when operating non-pressurized airplanes.
2. Identification and differences between “aviators” breathing oxygen” and other types.
3. Operational characteristics of continuous flow, demand, and pressure-demand oxygen systems.
B. TASK: PRESSURIZATION (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3, AC 61-107; AIM, POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to pressurization by explaining -
a. fundamental concept of cabin pressurization.
b. supplemental oxygen requirements when operating airplanes with pressurized cabins.
c. physiological hazards associated with high altitude flight and decompression.
NOTE: Element 2 applies only if the airplane provided for the practical test is equipped for pressurized flight operations.
2. Operates the pressurization system properly, and reacts appropriately to simulated pressurization malfunctions.
X. AREA OF OPERATION: MULTIENGINE OPERATIONS
NOTE: If the applicant is instrument rated, and has previously demonstrated instrument proficiency in a multiengine airplane or does not hold an instrument rating airplane, TASKs D and C need not be accomplished.
A. TASK: MANEUVERING WITH ONE ENGINE INOPERATIVE (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
NOTE: The feathering of one propeller shall be demonstrated in flight, in a multiengine airplane equipped with propellers which can be safely feathered and unfeathered. The maneuver shall be performed at altitudes and positions where safe landings on established airports can be readily accomplished. In the event a propeller cannot be unfeathered during the practical test, it shall be treated as an emergency.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to maneuvering with one engine inoperative.
2. Recognizes engine failure and maintains control.
3. Sets the engine controls, reduces drag, identifies and verifies the inoperative engine, and feathers appropriate propeller.
4. Establishes and maintains a bank toward the operating engine as required for best performance in straight and level flight.
5. Follows the prescribed checklists to verify procedures for securing the inoperative engine.
6. Monitors the operating engine and makes necessary adjustments.
7. Demonstrates coordinated flight with one engine inoperative (propeller feathered).
8. Restarts the inoperative engine using appropriate restart procedures.
9. Maintains altitude ±100 feet (30 meters) or minimum sink as appropriate and heading ±10°.
10. Completes the appropriate checklists.
B. TASK: VMC DEMONSTRATION (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
NOTE #1 An applicant seeking an airplane?multiengine land (AMEL) rating, “Limited to Center Thrust,” is not required to be evaluated on this TASK.
NOTE #2 Airplanes with normally aspirated engines will lose power as altitude increases because of the reduced density of the air entering the induction system of the engine. This loss of power will result in a VMC lower than the stall speed at higher altitudes. Therefore, recovery should be made at the first indication of loss of directional control, stall warning, or buffet.
Do not perform this maneuver by increasing the pitch attitude to a high angle with both engines operating and then reducing power on the critical engine. This technique is hazardous and may result in loss of airplane control.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to VMC by explaining the causes of loss of directional control at airspeeds less than VMC, the factors affecting VMC, and safe recovery procedures.
2. Configures the airplane at VSSE/VYSE, as appropriate?
a. Landing gear retracted.
b. Flaps set for takeoff.
c. Cowl flaps set for takeoff.
d. Trim set for takeoff.
e. Propellers set for high RPM.
f. Power on critical engine reduced to idle.
g. Power on operating engine set to takeoff or maximum available power.
3. Establishes a single-engine climb attitude with the airspeed at approximately 10 knots above VSSE or VYSE, as appropriate.
4. Establishes a bank toward the operating engine, as required for best performance and controllability.
5. Increases the pitch attitude slowly to reduce the airspeed at approximately 1 knot per second while applying rudder pressure to maintain directional control until full rudder is applied.
6. Recognizes indications of loss of directional control, stall warning or buffet.
7. Recovers promptly by simultaneously reducing power sufficiently on the operating engine while decreasing the angle of attack as necessary to regain airspeed and directional control. Recovery SHOULD NOT be attempted by increasing the power on the simulated failed engine.
8. Recovers within 20° of the entry heading.
9. Advances power smoothly on operating engine and accelerates to VXSE/VYSE, as appropriate, ± 5 knots, during the recovery.
C. TASK: ENGINE FAILURE DURING FLIGHT (By Reference to Instruments) (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: 14 CFR part 61; FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-15.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements by explaining the procedures used during instrument flight with one engine inoperative.
2. Recognizes engine failure, sets the engine controls, reduces drag, identifies, and verifies the inoperative engine and simulates feathering appropriate engine propeller.
3. Establishes and maintains a bank toward the operating engine as required for best performance in straight and level.
4. Follows the prescribed checklists to verify procedures for securing the inoperative engine.
5. Monitors the operating engine and makes necessary adjustments.
6. Demonstrates coordinated flight with one engine inoperative.
7. Maintains altitude ±100 feet (30 meters), or minimum sink as appropriate and heading ±10°, bank ±5°, and levels off from climbs and descents within ± 100 feet (30 meters).
D. TASK: INSTRUMENT APPROACH - ONE ENGINE
INOPERATIVE (By Reference to Instruments) (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: 14 CFR part 61; FAA-H-8083-3, AC 61-27; FAA-S-8081-4.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements by explaining the procedures used during a published instrument approach with one engine inoperative.
2. Recognizes engine failure, sets the engine controls, reduces drag, identifies and verifies the inoperative engine, and simulates feathering appropriate engine propeller.
3. Establishes and maintains a bank toward the operating engine, as required, for best performance in straight and level.
4. Follows the prescribed checklists to verify procedures for securing the inoperative engine.
5. Monitors the operating engine and makes necessary adjustments.
6. Requests and receives an actual or a simulated ATC clearance for an instrument approach.
7. Follows the actual or a simulated ATC clearance for an instrument approach.
8. Maintains altitude within 100 feet (30 meters), the airspeed within ±10 knots if within the aircraft’s capability, and heading ±10°.
9. Establishes a rate of descent that will ensure arrival at the MDA or DH/DA, with the airplane in a position from which a descent to a landing, on the intended runway can be made, either straight in or circling as appropriate.
10. On final approach segment, no more than three-quarter-scale deflection of the CDI/glide slope indicator. For RMI or ADF indicators, within 10° of the course.
11. Avoids loss of aircraft control, or attempted flight contrary to the engine-inoperative operating limitations of the aircraft.
12. Complies with the published criteria for the aircraft approach category when circling.
13. Completes landing and appropriate checklists.
XI. AREA OF OPERATION: POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES
NOTE: The examiner shall select TASK A and for AMES applicants at least one other TASK.
A. TASK: AFTER LANDING, PARKING, AND SECURING (AMEL and AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to after landing, parking and securing procedures.
2. Maintains directional control after touchdown while decelerating to an appropriate speed.
3. Observes runway hold lines and other surface control markings and lighting.
4. Parks in an appropriate area, considering the safety of nearby persons and property.
5. Follows the appropriate procedure for engine shutdown.
6. Completes the appropriate checklist.
7. Conducts an appropriate postflight inspection and secures the aircraft.
B. TASK: ANCHORING (AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to anchoring.
2. Selects a suitable area for anchoring, considering seaplane movement, water depth, tide, wind, and weather changes.
3. Uses an adequate number of anchors and lines of sufficient strength and length to ensure the seaplane's security.
C. TASK: DOCKING AND MOORING (AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to docking and mooring.
2. Approaches the dock or mooring buoy in the proper direction considering speed, hazards, wind, and water current.
3. Ensures seaplane security.
D. TASK: RAMPING/BEACHING (AMES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to ramping/beaching.
2. Approaches the ramp/beach considering persons and property, in the proper attitude and direction, at a safe speed, considering water depth, tide, current, and wind.
3. Ramps/beaches and secures the seaplane in a manner that will protect it from the harmful effect of wind, waves, and changes in water level.
