The Practical Examination For Flight Training Students

The following is a section about the FAA's Practical Examination. It is part of our continuing series of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge for flight training students that is published by the FAA. This is the second part of the examination you will have to take in order to obain your license. It is the practical exam - or the flying part of the test. Most flight training students and pilots call this the "checkride." We discussed the skill examination - the written part of the test - in an earlier article.

Practical Examination

The FAA has developed PTS's (practical test standards) for FAA pilot certificates and associated ratings. These practical tests are administered by FAA ASIs and DPEs. 14 CFR part 61 specifies the areas of operation in which knowledge and skill must be demonstrated by the applicant. Since the FAA requires all practical tests be conducted in accordance with the appropriate PTS, and the policies set forth in the Introduction section of the PTS book, the pilot applicant should become familiar with this book during training.

The PTS book is a testing document and not intended to be a training syllabus. An appropriately rated flight instructor is responsible for training the pilot applicant to acceptable standards in all subject matter areas, procedures, and maneuvers. Descriptions of tasks and information on how to perform maneuvers and procedures are contained in reference and teaching documents such as the Pilot's handbook. A list of reference documents is contained in the Introduction section of each PTS book.

Each "task" is comprised of knowledge areas, flight procedures, and/or flight maneuvers appropriate to the area of operation. The candidate is required to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in all tasks for the original issuance of all pilot certificates.

When To Take the Practical Exam

14 CFR part 61 establishes the ground school and flight experience requirements for the type of certification and aircraft selected. However, the CFI best determines when an applicant is qualified for the practical test. A practice practical test is an important step in the flight training process.

The applicant will be asked to present the following documentation:

• FAA Form 8710-1 (8710.11 for sport pilot applicants), Application for an Airman Certificate and/or Rating, with the flight instructor’s recommendation.
• An Airman Knowledge Test Report with a satisfactory grade.
• A medical certificate (not required for glider or balloon), and a student pilot certificate endorsed by a flight instructor for solo, solo cross-country (airplane and rotorcraft), and for the make and model aircraft to be used for the practical test (driver’s license or medical certificate for sport pilot applicants).
• The pilot log book records.
• A graduation certificate from an FAA-approved flight school (if applicable).
• The applicant must provide an airworthy aircraft with equipment relevant to
• the areas of operation required for the practical test. He or she will also be asked to produce and explain the:
• Aircraft’s registration certificate
• Aircraft’s airworthiness certificate
• Aircraft’s operating limitations or FAA-approved aircraft flight manual (if required)
• Aircraft equipment list • Required weight and balance data • Maintenance records • Applicable airworthiness directives (ADs)

For a detailed explanation of the required pilot maneuvers and performance standards, refer to the PTSs pertaining to the type of certification and aircraft selected. These standards may be downloaded free of charge from the FAA.

They can also be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents or GPO bookstores. Most airport fixed-base operators and flight schools carry a variety of government publications and charts, as well as commercially published materials.