COMMERCIAL PILOT - AIRPLANE
Practical Test Standards
VI. AREA OF OPERATION: GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVER
TASK: EIGHTS ON PYLONS (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCE: FAA-H-8083-3.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to eights on pylons.
2. Determines the approximate pivotal altitude.
3. Selects suitable pylons, that will permit straight and level flight, between the pylons.
4. Enters the maneuver at the appropriate altitude and airspeed and at a bank angle of approximately 30° to 40° at the steepest point.
5. Applies the necessary corrections so that the line-of-sight reference line remains on the pylon.
6. Divides attention between accurate coordinated airplane control and outside visual references.
7. Holds pylon using appropriate pivotal altitude avoiding slips and skids.
VII. AREA OF OPERATION: NAVIGATION
A. TASK: PILOTAGE AND DEAD RECKONING (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCE: AC 61-23/FAA-H-8083-25.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to pilotage and dead reckoning.
2. Follows the preplanned course by reference to landmarks.
3. Identifies landmarks by relating surface features to chart symbols.
4. Navigates by means of precomputed headings, groundspeed, and elapsed time.
5. Corrects for and records differences between preflight groundspeed and heading calculations and those determined en route.
6. Verifies the airplane's position within two (2) nautical miles of flight planned route.
7. Arrives at the en route checkpoints within three (3) minutes of the initial or revised ETA and provides a destination estimate.
8. Maintains appropriate altitude, ±100 feet (30 meters), and headings, ±10°.
B. TASK: NAVIGATION SYSTEMS AND RADAR SERVICES (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3, AC 61-23/FAA-H-8083-25; Navigation Equipment Operation Manuals, AIM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to navigation systems and radar services.
2. Demonstrates the ability to use an airborne electronic navigation system.
3. Locates the airplane's position using the navigation system.
4. Intercepts and tracks a given course, radial, or bearing as appropriate.
5. Recognizes and describes the indication of station passage if appropriate.
6. Recognizes signal loss and takes appropriate action.
7. Uses proper communication procedures when utilizing radar services.
8. Maintains the appropriate altitude, ±100 feet (30 meters) and heading, ±10°.
C. TASK: DIVERSION (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-25; AIM
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to diversion.
2. Selects an appropriate alternate airport and route.
3. Makes an accurate estimate of heading, groundspeed, arrival time, and fuel consumption to the alternate airport.
4. Maintains the appropriate altitude, ±100 feet (30 meters), and heading, ±10°.
D. TASK: LOST PROCEDURES (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-25; AIM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to lost procedures.
2. Selects an appropriate course of action.
3. Maintains an appropriate heading and climbs, if necessary.
4. Identifies prominent landmarks.
5. Uses navigation systems/facilities and/or contacts an ATC facility for assistance as appropriate.
VIII. AREA OF OPERATION: SLOW FLIGHT AND STALLS
A. TASK: MANEUVERING DURING SLOW FLIGHT (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to maneuvering during slow flight.
2. Selects an entry altitude that will allow the task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet (460 meters) AGL.
3. Establishes and maintains an airspeed at which any further increase in angle of attack, increase in load factor, or reduction in power, would result in an immediate stall.
4. Accomplishes coordinated straight-and-level flight, turns, climbs, and descents with landing gear and flap configurations specified by the examiner.
5. Divides attention between airplane control and orientation.
6. Maintains the specified altitude, ±50 feet (15 meters); specified heading, ±10°; airspeed +5/?0 knots, and specified angle of bank, ±5°.
B. TASK: POWER-OFF STALLS (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3, AC 61-67; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to power-off stalls.
2. Selects an entry altitude that allows the task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet (460 meters) AGL.
3. Establishes a stabilized descent in the approach or landing configuration, as specified by the examiner.
4. Transitions smoothly from the approach or landing attitude to a pitch attitude that will induce a stall.
5. Maintains a specified heading, ±10° in straight flight; maintains a specified angle of bank, not to exceed 20°, ±5°, in turning flight while inducing the stall.
6. Recognizes and recovers promptly as the stall occurs by simultaneously reducing the angle of attack, increasing power to maximum allowable, and leveling the wings to return to a straightand-level flight attitude wiith a minimum loss of altitud appropriate for the airplane.
7. Retracts the flaps to the recommended setting, retracts the landing gear if retractable after a positive rate of climb is established.
8. Accelerates to VX or VY speed before the final flap retraction; returns to the altitude, heading, and airspeed specified by the examiner.
C. TASK: POWER-ON STALLS (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3, AC 61-67; POH/AFM.
NOTE: In some high performance airplanes, the power setting may have to be reduced below the practical test standards guideline power setting to prevent excessively high pitch attitudes (greater than 30° nose up).
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to power-on stalls.
2. Selects an entry altitude that allows the task to be completed no lower than 1,500 feet (460 meters) AGL.
3. Establishes the takeoff or departure configuration. Sets power to no less than 65 percent available power.
4. Transitions smoothly from the takeoff or departure attitude to a pitch attitude that will induce a stall.
5. Maintains a specified heading ±5°, in straight flight; maintains a specified angle of bank, not to exceed a 20°, ±10°, in turning flight, while inducing the stall.
6. Recognizes and recovers promptly as the stall occurs by simultaneously reducing the angle of attack, increasing power to maximum allowable, and leveling the wings to return to a straightand-level flight attitude, with a minimum loss of altitude appropriate for the airplane.
7. Retracts flaps to the recommended setting, retracts the landing gear if retractable, after a positive rate of climb is established.
8. Accelerates to VX or VY speed before the final flap retraction; returns to the altitude, heading, and airspeed specified by the examiner.
D. TASK: SPIN AWARENESS (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3, AC 61-67; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant exhibits knowledge of the elements related to spin awareness by explaining:
1. Aerodynamic factors related to spins.
2. Flight situations where unintentional spins may occur.
3. Procedures for recovery from unintentional spins.
IX. AREA OF OPERATION: EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
A. TASK: EMERGENCY APPROACH AND LANDING (SIMULATED) (ASEL and ASES)
REFERENCES: FAA-H-8083-3; POH/AFM.
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to emergency approach and landing procedures.
2. Analyzes the situation and selects an appropriate course of action.
3. Establishes and maintains the recommended best glide airspeed, ±10 knots.
4. Selects a suitable landing area.
5. Plans and follows a flight pattern to the selected landing area considering altitude, wind, terrain, and obstructions.
6. Prepares for landing, or go-around, as specified by the examiner.
7. Follows the appropriate checklist.
B. TASK: SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTIONS (ASEL and ASES)
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.
C. 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.
X. AREA OF OPERATION: HIGH ALTITUDE OPERATIONS
A. TASK: SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN (ASEL and ASES)
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 (ASEL and ASES)
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.
XI. AREA OF OPERATION: POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES
NOTE: The examiner shall select TASK A and for ASES applicants at least one other TASK.
A. TASK: AFTER LANDING, PARKING, AND SECURING (ASEL and ASES)
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 (ASES)
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 (ASES)
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 (ASES)
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.
