Private Pilot Checkride Aug 2017
Ground portion:
He asked the applicant to confirm that you are familiar with the following:
Airman Certification Standards (PTS/ACS) document and concept?
How the ACS is to be utilized by the Applicant/Instructor/DPE?
The 6 items associated with Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM)?
Harry’s note: Here is what the Private Pilot ACS says about SRM – In assessing the applicant’s performance, the evaluator should take note of the applicant’s use of CRM and, if appropriate, SRM. CRM/SRM is the set of competencies that includes situational awareness, communication skills, teamwork, task allocation, and decision-making within a comprehensive framework of standard operating procedures (SOP). SRM specifically refers to the management of all resources onboard the aircraft as well as outside resources available to the single pilot. Deficiencies in CRM/SRM almost always contribute to the unsatisfactory performance of a Task. While evaluation of CRM/SRM may appear to be somewhat subjective, the evaluator should use the risk management elements of the given Task(s) to determine whether the applicant’s performance of the Task(s) demonstrates both understanding and application of the associated risk management elements
Be very familiar with the FAR/AIM. Know the different sections and what is in each: Part 67, Part 61, Part 91, etc.
Weight and balance, including zero fuel weight, takeoff weight, landing weight, full fuel weight.
Class E airspace and Class G airspace including VFR weather minimums. Know about Class E airspace that starts at the surface. Know about Class E airspace extensions.
Engine operations including; number of spark plugs, number of cylinders, how fuel gets to the engine, what happens if the fuel vent gets clogged.
Carb heat; how it works, when to use it, know when you may get carb ice.
Flight instruments including; gyro instruments, pitot instruments, static instruments.
AVIATE acronym for inspections required on the aircraft:
A- Annual inspection – 12 calendar months.
V – VORs (30 days)
I – 100 hour (if used for hire)
A – Altimeter & Pitot/Static (24 calendar months)
T – Transponder (24 calendar months)
E – ELT (12 Calendar mo., 1/2 life battery date, 1 Hr. cumulative use)
The 5 P’s:
A helpful way for a pilot to assess his or her situation as a single pilot is to utilize the concept of the 5 P’s, which is a practical way for the pilot to analyze the risks associated with the elements of a flight.
- Plan – The pilot should accomplish all preflight planning, and be prepared to adjust the flight plan as necessary during the flight. The plan also involves circumstances surrounding the flight planning process, like gathering weather information and assessing the route.
- Plane – The airplane is obviously a significant element of the flight, and the pilot should asses the risks associated with inoperative equipment and the general shape of the airplane.
- Pilot – The pilot should assess himself with a risk assessment checklist and the I’M SAFE checklist, but should also assess his currency and proficiency, as well as the conditions of the flight in relation to his abilities and his personal minimums.
- Passengers – Passengers can present challenges like illness, fear, discomfort and distractions. It’s best for a pilot to plan for passenger challenges ahead of time, like providing them each with water and sick sacks, and briefing them about what will occur.
- Programming- Advanced avionics must be understood completely and programmed correctly.
By assessing each of these items and the variables involved, a pilot can more discover and mitigate risks, and make knowledgeable decisions on the spot.
The 5 Cs:
Confess
Climb
Conserve
Communicate
Comply
Know the PAVE checklist:
Personal
Personal minimums will include pilot health and experience and can be evaluated in depth with the I’M SAFE checklist. How many hours of sleep do you usually need to function well? Are you healthy? Have you battled any illness or are you on any medications? How much flight experience do you have in the aircraft you’re about to fly? How many hours have you flown in the past week/month/year? Are you rusty? Stressed? All of these factors can affect your flight.
Aircraft
Is the aircraft airworthy? Did it undergo any inspections recently? Do you have the fuel necessary? Are you comfortable with the weight and balance and performance for the flight?
Do you know the aircraft limitations? Do you have current charts? Is the GPS up-to-date?
EnVironment
What’s the weather like? Are you comfortable and experienced enough to fly in the forecast weather conditions? Have you considered all your options and left yourself an “out”? Are you instrument-current? Are you comfortable with the type of approaches available to you? Did you check PIREPs and NOTAMs? Are you at comfortable flying in busy airspace or on edge about the air traffic control situation? Does the aircraft have heat or air conditioning? Are you familiar with the terrain?
External Pressures
Are you stressed or anxious? Is this a flight that will cause you to be stressed or anxious? Is there pressure to get to your destination quickly? Do you have a plan B? Are you dealing with difficult passengers or an unhealthy safety culture?
Are you being honest with yourself and others about your pilot abilities and limitations?
Know the IMSAFE checklist:
| I | Do I have an illness or any symptoms of an illness? | |
| M | Have I been taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs? | |
| S | Am I under psychological pressure from the job? Worried about financial matters, health problems or family discord? | |
| A | Have I been drinking within eight hours? Within 24 hours? | |
| F | Am I tired and not adequately rested? | |
| E | Am I adequately nourished? |
Medical requirements and are you fit to fly. How long the different class medicals are good for.
Runway sings. He will have you take a FAA online test. Click here for the test.
Weather including; charts, decision making based on weather.
Emergency procedures
Night VFR instruments and equipment required
Temperature vs performance. Know how to properly use all performance charts/tables.
High altitude flight and hypoxia.
Know the alcohol limits – .04 percent or 8 hours bottle to throttle.
Passenger briefing including asking them about scuba diving & flying and motion sickness.
NTSB – what needs to be reported, how long do you have to file report.
Ferry flight requirements. When would you need a ferry permit.
NASA form or NASA report.
Required placards in aircraft.
Maintenance required. Who is responsible to maintaining aircraft in airworthy condition. Who is responsible for determining if aircraft is airworthy. Be able to show the required inspections in aircraft log book.
What are the required documents in aircraft and what documents does the pilot have to carry.
Know how to divert to an alternate and why and when.
How to recover from a stall and or spin.
What are the left turning tendencies.
Know the sections of the POH.
Airport rotating beacon colors.
What would happen if the person fueling the aircraft did not put the gas caps on tight or properly. The low pressure on top of the wing would suck the fuel out.
On an engine failure know your glide distance.
Flight portion:
Examiner said something about her 2 handed flying. He said there was nothing in the ACS that said you cannot fly with 2 hands. He had concerns about her doing a go-around – if she could get to the power fast enough.
They did: Turns about a point. Power off 180. Go around. Slips to a landing. Steep turns. Slow flight. Engine out to a field. Stalls power on and off. Short and soft field takeoffs and landings. Fly under the hood. Track to a VOR.
