private pilot ground school Articles | Index    

Overview of the PTS
2010-03-18

Overview of the PTS 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 applicantís ability to fly safely over the full gamut of required performance. The actual checkride is but a series of snapshots to affirm the instructorís 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 wonít 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 instructorís 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 donít 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 DEís 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.
Comment

 
 External Links
 Recent articles
Pilots Are Special
P A pilot has overcome his fears He has replaced superstition with rational thinking and knowledge It takes a special degree of courage to face your...

Rectangular Patterns
P Under calm conditions almost any rectangle can be used If there is a wind the longest leg of the rectangles should be planned to be...

Repairs
P The main difference between a 100 hour inspection and annual inspection is that the airframe and power plant mechanic can sign off the 100 hour but the...

Designing Lessons
Giving flying lessons is much like building a tissue and balsa flying model of an airplane of your own design The plane must be...

The Takeoff
P The runup is completed and the trim is set for takeoff We have used our pre takeoff and takeoff checklist and have been cleared by the...

Tight Grip VS Light Touch
P The left hand has only two useable digits while flying The forefinger is behind the yoke for back pressure and the thumb is for forward pressure...

Wearing Thin Pants
In many respects flying an airplane is much like riding a horse A horse goes where its head points so does an airplane ...

Hyperventilation
P Stress anxiety and fear cause hyperventilation The person begins abnormal rapid breathing Reduction of carbon dioxide causes lightheadedness suffocation drowsiness tingling...

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)
P Broadcast by ATC to warn air traffic to remain clear of areas such as open air affairs forest fires space launches crime scenes ...

Timed Turns
P In VFR condition at level altitude cruise the standard rate bank is selected by using the turn coordinator The degree of bank is NOTED on the...

Airworthiness Directive
P B AD Compliance Record B P P Aircraft No: Make: Serial Number P ...

The Aircraft
Make model serial number and quot;N quot; number can identify an aircraft You should know the year the aircraft was built ...

Good Judgement
font size 1 color 339966 b Good Judgement b font br P Even the best instruction will not suffice if the...

How We Got Pattern A and Pattern B
These patterns have been for many years a part of the Instrument Flying Handbook as among the first lessons in acquiring the aircraft control required for instrument flying ...

Nice To Know Information
ul li Multiply horsepower by 09 to give gallons per hour consumption with safety factor BR li Most aircraft...

Viva la Difference
Where male and female students are similar: BR Individual differences of greater importance BR Learning differences more related...

Trim instruction
P The direction to move the trim and the proper instructional words to use are a common source of confusion Raising the trim wheel lowers the nose...

PTS Oral/Flight Test
Meet with examiner before the tests and ask relevant questions BR Examiners weight BR Cross country plan BR Weather contingencies BR Cost...

Slow Flight
No maneuvers below 1500í BR 1 2 Vs1 at 10 and 5 knots BR Altitude within 100í and airspeed within 10 and ...

Why Takeoff Pitch Changes
P The initial lift off attitude at Vso is slightly higher than that required for Vy best rate of climb but is about right for Vx...

Start/Post Start
P Make several dry run engine starts on the tape recorder to develop the checklist Emphasize used of the left hand all the time holding the mike...

On Checklists
ol li Flying an airplane requires that a series of relatively complex procedures A checklist is most viable if a long series ...

Are You FARs Ready?
Requirements of 61 87 logged as satisfactory proficiency and safety BR Review of logbook entries insures compliance with long term requirements BR Recent sign offs...

Where To Go; What To Do
P You can find whom to interview by talking to people around the airport Pretty soon certain names will keep coming up Those are the people...

The Joys of Flying
Getting through your checkride successfully gives rise to a sense of elation and achievement that can only be described in superlatives Just how it...

Taxiing
P Because of side by side seating the student pilot must be helped to find where to look for putting the nose wheel on the taxiway center line...

Military Instruction
Instruction that uses the stair step approach is predicated on the absence of surprises A military preflight can take hours In my own...

The Practical Test
Determines if applicant has had required instruction BR Determines if applicant can safely perform required tasks BR BR The practical test is a two...

Teaching Precepts
P Docendo Discimus We learn by teaching When by yourself you are the instructor BR BR ...

Pre-takeoff
Uses checklist BR Takeoff configuration BR Radio use and acknowledgments and compliance BR Clearing approach ...

Runup
P Use a run up checklist Always face the wind Engine cooling is the reason We are not teaching a flying career made only...

Non-IFR Pilot
ul li 1 accident in 12 186 hours in IFR conditions BR li 1 accident in 94 819 hours...

Spin Awareness (Discussion)
Flight situations where spins may occur BR Recognize a spin and apply recovery technique BR Techniques specific to aircraft BR power off and flaps up...

Radio Q-History
The Q codes were developed when communications wasn #39;t as good as now and Morse code was till the norm BR It...

Aircraft Logbooks
Maintenance records of aircraft and engine must be available to the examiner FAR 91 3 The pilot must be able to explain and interpret all of the maintenance records ...

Teaching Memory
The way an instructor presents material has a great influence on student retention of what is being taught Trauma is proven to be the...

Pre-start/Start Checklist
P Once in the aircraft we begin the pre start tape recording Seats doors window open belts FAR 91 107 requires the pilot ...

Holding Headings
A pilot not a student is expected to hold a heading The PTS allows a 10 degree or 20 degree range It...

Private Pilot Requirements
At least 17 read write and speak English 3rd class medical written test oral test flight test 61 103 BR Private...

What to expect on your first solo
P Solo preparation began on the first flight Now the FARs require specific paper work study and testing Student skill and knowledge for...

Learning From Your Mistakes
P A mistake is painful because we have been conditioned to experience humiliation and shame We expect ourselves to be able to perform When we don...

Fitting The Hood
P The hood should be fitted prior to engine start Note that the attitude indicator has both a wings level and a level index mark at its...

Uncontrolled Airport Radio
P Start listening well away from the airport Overfly above pattern altitude if you are uncertain of pattern or procedures Adhere to AIM recommended procedures ...

Pre-takeoff Considerations
P B 1 Gross Weight and Center of Gravity B BR Gross weight is the empty weight plus useful load You must check...

General Aviation Accidents
1 51 of pilots were between 40 49 BR 2 71 were private pilots BR 3 52 had...

Self-Doubt is Normal
P Every so often the instructor finds a student who is going through a phase of flying that is very disturbing to the student A student may...

The Student As A Student
P How much does it cost Depends on motivation of student BR How long does it take 62 hours is average My students may...

Military Training Routes (MTR)
P If you find that your flight will intersect an MTR route be sure to have P P the FSS run a...

Minimum Controllable
No maneuvers below 1500í BR Stall horn whimpering at all times BR Power added as required to hold altitude in 10 degree maximum banks BR ...

Imminent Stalls
P The major difference between this stall segment and those proceeding is the quot;depth quot; of the stall In this procedure regardless of the configuration the...

 Related Links
 
©2010 4VFR.COM, All Rights Reserved Powered by 4vfr.com