Putting it all Together

1. Commercial Putting it all Together Discussion with Designated Examiners

2. Objectives • To understand the Practical Test Procedures • To prepare students for taking the Practical Test AAAA Education Committee

3. 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 AAAA Education Committee

4. Who are Designated Pilot Examiners? • Qualifications • Authority • Public Law • 14 CFR 183 AAAA Education Committee

5. 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 AAAA Education Committee

6. 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 AAAA Education Committee

7. 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 AAAA Education Committee

8. 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 AAAA Education Committee

9. 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 AAAA Education Committee

10. 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 AAAA Education Committee

11. Flight Test/ Check Ride • Applicant is Pilot in Command • Receive either: • Satisfactory Performance • Unsatisfactory Performance • Letter of Discontinuance AAAA Education Committee

12. 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. AAAA Education Committee

13. 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 AAAA Education Committee

14. 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 AAAA Education Committee

15. 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. AAAA Education Committee

16. 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 AAAA Education Committee