8710-1 - Avoiding Common Errors on the form

• Make sure that you are using the correct version of the form. (8710-1 with a date of (4-00)
• Make sure that you complete the dates with xx-xx-20xx format including the CFI expiry date.
• Don't abbreviate hair or eye color.
• Place of birth is City and State. If foreign, City and Country.
• Citizenship is France, Germany, Japan…. NOT French, German, Japanese.
• In the line asking whether you have a FAA pilot certificate, if you are a student pilot enter student pilot and then enter the certificate number in the next box.
• In the flight time boxes don't forget to include solo time as PIC or vice versa. If just PIC time were entered without the solo boxes being entered then the application would be rejected.
• Check whether this is a retest.
• Make sure the applicant signs and dates (eight-digit format) the application.
• On the reverse side make sure that the flight instructor has dated the time he/she signed it, signs the name and prints the name next to the signature. Date for the certificate expiration needs to be eight digits. Be sure the CFI dates the application the same date or later than the student.

Practical Test Standards (PTS)

• Current version is FAA-S-8081-14AS dated August 1, 2002.
• The PTS says that all AOA's, All tasks and All elements must be tested. We can combine things to get things done quicker, but in the end we must cover all of the PTS.
• The PTS should not be used as a teaching standard as it represents the minimum standard
• All of the answers to the oral questions should come from the references drawn out in the PTS. If another non-FAA publication says essentially the same thing as the FAA then that reference is OK also.
• Make sure that you know what a stabilized approach is and how to apply it to Short Field Landings.
• It is the flight instructor's responsibility to make sure that ALL knowledge Areas; procedures and maneuvers in the PTS have been done. The CFI must also certify that the applicant can pass the practical test.
• SPECIAL EMPHASIS ITEMS. These are in the Intro section not in the standards section. Look at these carefully.

Satisfactory Performance:

1. Performs the approved AOA's for the certificate or rating sought within the approved standards
2. Demonstrates mastery of the aircraft with the successful outcome of each task performed never seriously in doubt.
3. Demonstrates satisfactory proficiency and competency within the approved standards.
4. Demonstrates sound judgment

Unsatisfactory Performance:

1. Any action or lack of action by the applicant which requires corrective intervention by the examiner to maintain safe flight.
2. Failure to use proper and effective visual scanning techniques to clear the area before and while performing maneuvers
3. Consistently exceeding tolerances stated in the objectives
4. Failure to take prompt corrective action when tolerances are exceeded.

If a task within an AOA becomes Unsatisfactory, the examiner must tell the applicant that it is unsatisfactory and the practical test cannot be completed. The Examiner and Applicant with mutual agreement may continue testing further elements to gain credit for any other areas.

In general, no second chances are usually allowed. Tell your student not to start a maneuver until he/she is ready. Don't let an examiner rush the student. If during an assigned landing or approach the applicant elects to do a go around, this is not counted as a fail, unless the applicant makes an unreasonable number of attempts. This number is at the discretion of the examiner.

Status of the Examiner during a flight check - The examiner is NOT PIC. The student must be aware that he/she is responsible for the safety of the airplane even if an emergency is present and the student has asked the examiner to fly.

THE BASIC PRACTICAL TEST

There is no difference between the oral exam and the flight test. Basically questions will be made around the PTS area's of operation. Take each AOA and EMPHASIS AREA and go through each of the elements. The applicant should be able to answer questions regarding these areas. Prior to the test date the applicant will be given certain calculation type assignments to prepare before he/she comes for the checkride. These are:

Cross-country flight planning - Prior to the practical test the student will be called and given the destination to plan to. The applicant needs to do a flight plan one way to the destination. He must plot the course on the chart and fill out a navigation log. I usually use either Fresno Air Terminal, Reno Int'l or Bishop. Weather information MUST be the weather on the day of the checkride, as we must use current atmospheric data.

Performance data - The applicant will also be given some performance calculation to do as part of the XC. This is usually a takeoff and landing distance over a 50-ft. obstacle.

Weight and Balance - The applicant will be asked to do a weight and balance as part of the XC.
I weigh 165#.

The applicant must also bring the logbooks for the airplane and demonstrate that all of the required inspections have been done INCLUDING the status of any RECURRING AD's. Aircraft Airworthiness Requirements are now a new section in the PTS.

Upon successful completion of the knowledge area questions the flight portion will begin:

THE FLIGHT CHECK

The basic flight check will go something like the following:

We will depart as if we were on the XC, fly to another diverted to airport, do some maneuvers at altitude, land, do takeoffs and landings then depart again at low level and do ground reference and emergencies. Next comes instrument flying. Upon completion of that we will head back. The test will sometimes conclude at RHV.

A more detailed description would be something like the following:

Normal takeoff with the intention of following the flight planned route. The applicant should update the nav log with the takeoff time and update the ETA when enroute.

Diversion

At a convenient time, the applicant will be diverted to another airport. The applicant should give the initial heading, altitude and time enroute. I use this as a ded reckoning leg only. That means that you should be able to get a good heading and time from the chart without pilotage.

Maneuvers

Upon arriving at the diversion airport we will usually stay above the airport at 3 to 4 thousand feet. At that point we will do:

• Steep turns one to the left and one to the right
• Slow Flight - remember that the speed now back to real slow flight. I pick the speed for you. The applicant will also demonstrate turns during slow flight.
• Power off Stall . The power off stall should be in the approach configuration (Gear and flaps down). The applicant is supposed to announce the first aerodynamic indication of the stall then recover when the stall has occurred. The recovery should be made with minimum loss of height and then to Vy.
• Power On Stall - On the power on stall the student should slow the airplane to rotation speed then apply full power and pitch gently for the stall (approx. 1-knot per second). The applicant should announce the first aerodynamic indication of the stall then initiate recovery after the stall occurs. The applicant should recover with minimum loss of height and then to Vy.
• Emergency descents are now required. Many manufacturers don't specify a procedure. If one is specified use it otherwise: 45 degrees of bank, throttle closed, gear down (below Vle), Slow to below Vfe then extend flaps and pitch for Vfe. The duration will be specified by the examiner.

Instrument Flight

The applicant will be asked to fly by reference to the flight instruments. The airplane does not have to be conventional in instrumentation. Any combination of flight instruments that allow the applicant to be tested will do. The applicant must demonstrate Unusual Attitude Recoveries and two other tasks. Iusually pick straight and level flight and turns to headings.

Traffic Patterns, Take-off's and Landings

You will be required to join a traffic pattern somewhere. If it's an uncontrolled airport use the procedure in the AIM chapter 4. Remember to arrive at the 45 at traffic pattern altitude so as not to descend on other traffic. Short, Soft, normal and if present Crosswind take-off's and landings will be also be tested. A go around and a forward slip to a landing will also be tested. Check the PTS for tolerances. These will usually be tested at the diverted airport.

Ground Reference

By combining maneuvers we can get everything in by doing in the traffic patterns as long as there is some wind.

Emergencies

An emergency approach to landing will be tested. Be sure that you can deliver the airplane to the intended landing area without over or undershooting at a speed suitable for a safe landing.

General Tips for the applicant

• Don't be in a rush to do a maneuver. Do everything at your own pace.
• Use smooth and accurate flying.
• Review the complete PTS with your instructor.
• Use the checklist in the PTS so you don't forget to bring something.
• Make sure that your solo endorsement is still valid (90 days)
• Don't wait until the end to take the knowledge test. It places too much stress on you and deprives you of good study time in preparation for the practical test.

General Tips for Instructors

• Don't send unprepared applicants to test whether they are ready. That's a disservice to the applicant and to me.
• Use the correct endorsements enclosed with this package. It's just easier when I go to look for them. Also, there is a requirement for ground instruction to be logged not just endorsed. See FAR 61.189. I suggest using the later part of the logbook and record times of how much instruction was given to each area that you endorsed in 61.105 (b) 1-13. An example is on this sheet.
• Check the 8710-1 and check it again. Be available or at least near a fax machine during the first part of the exam just in case there is something missing.
• Either you or the student should mark his logbook pages where the long XC, Night, Etc. requirements have been met. This saves time in the exam.
• Make sure that you have reviewed the PTS with your student.
• Look for the Completion Standards for each maneuver or Operation.

Ground Training Log and Private Pilot Endorsements to become part of the student's logbook
Feel free to photocopy and staple into the logbook.

Endorsement for deficient areas on the Knowledge test
I have reviewed the knowledge test results with Mr./Ms. __________________________ per FAR 61.39 (6)(iii) And resolved the deficient areas.

Endorsement for aeronautical knowledge: FAR 61.35 (a) (1) and 61.105 (a) and (b)
I certify that I have given Mr./Ms. _________ the ground instruction required by FAR 61.105 (a) and (b) (1 through (13).

Endorsement for flight proficiency: FAR 61.107 (a) and (b)
I certify that I have given Mr./Ms. _________ the flight instruction required by FAR 61.107 (a) and (b) (1) (I) through (xii) , have given 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test in the preceding 60 days, and find him/her competent to perform each pilot operation safely as a private pilot.

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