Standardizes the conduct and performance of FAA inspectors and Designated Examiners
Standards are not minimums
General Information:
The Flight Standards Service of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed these Airman Certification Standards as the standard that shall be used by FAA examiners when conducting Practical Tests
Instructors are expected to use these Airman Certification Standards (PTS) when preparing applicants for practical tests
Applicants should be familiar with this PTS and refer to these standards during their training
Applicants for a combined private pilot certificate with instrument rating, in accordance with 14 CFR part 61, section 61.65 (a) and (g), must pass all areas designated in the Private Pilot PTS and the Instrument Rating PTS. Examiners need not duplicate tasks
For example, only one preflight demonstration would be required; however, the Preflight Task from the Instrument Rating PTS may be more extensive than the Preflight Task from the Private Pilot PTS to ensure readiness for IFR flight
A combined checkride should be treated as one practical test, requiring only one application and resulting in only one temporary certificate, disapproval notice, or letter of discontinuance, as applicable. Failure of any task will result in a failure of the entire test and application. Therefore, even if the deficient maneuver was instrument related and the performance of all VFR tasks was determined to be satisfactory, the applicant will receive a notice of disapproval
Information considered directive in nature is described in this PTS in terms, such as "shall" and "must" indicating the actions are mandatory
Guidance information is described in terms, such as "should" and "may" indicating the actions are desirable or permissive, but not mandatory
The FAA gratefully acknowledges the valuable assistance provided by many individuals and organizations throughout the aviation community who contributed their time and talent in assisting with the revision of these Airman Certification Standards
The PTS may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, DC 20402-9325, or from http://bookstore.gpo.gov. This PTS is also available for download, in pdf format, from www.faa.gov. This PTS is published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Comments regarding this handbook should be sent, in e-mail form, to AFS630comments@faa.gov
Airman Certification Standards Content:
Section 1 - Forward: Explains the purpose of the PTS, which is to establish the standards for certification practical tests for the different categories and classes
The Private Pilot-Airplane Airman Certification Standards (PTS) book has been published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish the standards for private pilot certification practical tests for the airplane category, single-engine land and sea; and multiengine land and sea classes. FAA inspectors and designated pilot examiners shall conduct practical tests in compliance with these standards. Flight instructors and applicants should find these standards helpful during training and when preparing for the practical test
/s/ David Gilliom 10/31/2011
Section 2 - Record of Changes: Explains what changes were made from previous editions with their reason
Section 3 - Major Enhancements: Similar to Section 2 but more broad, explaining changes that require more attention
Section 4 - Table of Contents: Same as any table of contents
Section 5 - General Information: Explains the technicals of the book, explaining what terms mean as they pertain to the PTS
Section 6 - Airman Certification Standards Concept: Explains why the PTS is laid out the way it is
Section 7 - Practical Test Book Description: Explains the contents of the book with a list of references
Section 8 - Abbreviations: A list of abbreviations used within the book
Section 9 - Use of the Airman Certification Standards Book: Explains how an applicant will be evaluated and how the examiner will accomplish this
Section 10 - Special Emphasis Areas: Notes area where examiners shall place special emphasis upon areas of aircraft operation considered critical to flight safety
Section 11 - Private Pilot-Rotorcraft Practical Test Prerequisites:
Section 12 - Aircraft and Equipment Required for the Practical Test:
Section 13 - Flight Instructor Responsibility:
Section 14 - Examiner Responsibility:
Section 15 - Satisfactory Performance:
Section 16 - Unsatisfactory Performance:
Section 17 - Letter of Discontinuance:
Section 18 - Aeronautical Decision-Making and Risk Management:
Section 19 - Single-pilot Resource Management:
Section 20 - Applicant's Use of Checklists:
Section 21 - Use of Distractions During Practical Tests:
Section 22 - Positive Exchange of Flight Controls:
Next is a definition of CRM, and a description of the examiner's responsibility during the practical test
The applicant's practical test checklist also is available in the PTS publication for your student to confirm they have everything ready for their check ride
PTS for aeronautical certificates and ratings
Areas of operations define phases of the practical test arranged in a logical sequence within each standard
Tasks are knowledge areas; within each task are references to the applicable regulations or publications
Additional Rating Task Table:
Additional Rating Task Table
When adding a rating onto an already existing certificate, it may not be required to perform all of the tasks associated with the new rating
For example, if adding a glider rating onto an existing private pilot certificate, tasks such as "Certificates and Documents" will not change whereas "Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds" will
At first glance the table [Figure 1] can seem quite intimidating or confusing but it is actually very straight forward once familiar with how to read it
To determine tasks required, open to the Additional Rating Task Table found toward the front of the Airman Certification Standards (see table of contents)
On the left column you will see the "Areas of Operation" while on the top row you see the "Ratings Held"
Acronyms are spelled out either below the chart or in the abbreviations section toward the front of the PTS
Find the rating you already and go down that column
For each Area of Operation, Tasks required will be listed
This can range from ALL, to a few (maybe just B, and C)
Now that we have a list of Tasks required we can continue on into the PTS to read the Objective and sub-steps associated with each Task
Always be sure you are referencing the most current standards as they do change!
Conclusion:
Note that temporary flight certificates are only valid for 120 days
An extension may be granted through the FAA if your pilot certificate has not yet arrived by 120 days
