Tue, Jun 27, 2006
Aero-Tips!
A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard
this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer
statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of
"there are no old, bold pilots.")
Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner,
master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us
-- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators. Some of them, you
may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be
something we might never have considered before, or something that
didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized
it for the practical test.
Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you
through the Aero-News Network.
Aero-Tips 06.27.06
Preparing to take a flight test for a pilot certificate or
rating? It's important to know the "rules of engagement".
Your success or failure on the
flight test hinges solely on your ability to demonstrate mastery of
the Areas of Operation required by the applicable Practical Test
Standards.
Note: Many Areas of Operation (example:
single-pilot resource management) require a subjective evaluation
by the examiner... so pass/fail isn't entirely a matter of
headings, altitudes and airspeeds.
Test... and re-test
- The applicant must pass all required Areas of Operation to earn
the certificate or rating.
- The examiner or the applicant can discontinue the practical
test at any time, including
-
- Failure of the applicant to successfully complete an Area of
Operation
- Adverse weather
- Aircraft airworthiness
- Any other safety-of-flight consideration
- In such cases the applicant will be given credit for completing
those Areas of Operation for which he/she has completed
successfully before the test was halted, but only if the
applicant
-
- Presents to the examiner the original notice of failure or a
Letter of Discontinuance from the first attempt at examination
- Presents a new and correct application form
- Completes and logs any necessary additional training, and
required instructor endorsements for the retest
- Passes the remainder of the practical test within 60 days of
the discontinued flight test
Who's in charge
Although the examiner is of course in a position of authority,
the applicant is Pilot-in-Command for the flight test unless the
examiner has agreed to assume PIC responsibility beforehand. The
PIC retains all authority and responsibility for the safe conduct
of the flight test with all applicable rules in effect with the
exception that prohibition against carry passengers by
noncertificated applicants (student pilots attempting to earn their
first pilot certificate) is waived so that the "passenger" examiner
may be carried.
Aero-tip of the day: Be familiar with the
flight test rules before taking a Practical Test. You're
responsible for safety-and demonstrating your knowledge of the
rules will make you look even better to the examiner.
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