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Whenever you recommend a student pilot for a practical test everyone -- you, the student and even the examiner -- hopes for a successful outcome. It's bad enough to have a student disapproved because he or she could not successfully execute a particular manuever. But it is really embarrassing and annoying if your student cannot even start the practical test because of a paperwork or procedural error! Here are some hints to help you insure a successful outcome for your student:
The most basic item of paperwork is a properly completed FAA Form 8710-1. You would be amazed how many applicants and their instructors do not read and follow the instructions that come with the form -- make sure that you do so. Other items to check are:
- Have you used the latest version (4-00)?
- Have you typed or printed the entries in black ink?
- In the block labeled "Instructor's Signature" the Instructor's name should be typed or printed in black ink and then the Instructor should sign his signature.
The easiest way to fill out an FAA Form 8710-1 is to fill in the blanks on this online version (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) and just print it out.
Another paperwork problem that can torpedo a practical test before it even begins is inadequate logbook endorsements. When you recommend an applicant for a Private Pilot-ASEL practical test, §61.39 requires the instructor to certify that the applicant:
- Has received and logged training time within 60 days preceding the date of application in preparation for the practical test;
- Is prepared for the required practical test; and
- Has demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of the subject areas in which the applicant was deficient on the airman knowledge test.
Most commercially available logbooks have these endorsements pre-printed in the back of the logbook for you to simply fill in and sign, but you must make sure that you complete all three of these endorsements. If your applicant's logbook does not contain pre-printed versions of these endorsements, use these samples.
Speaking of endorsements, the examiner will check to insure that your applicant's logbook and Student Pilot Certificate contain all of the required endorsements that you should have made during his time as a Student Pilot. These endorsements are listed in AC 61-65D (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) paragraphs 10-12. The examiner will also check to insure that your applicant's logbook reflects all of the flight time (instruction and solo) required by §61.109, "Aeronautical experience." Common mistakes include cross-country flights that do not meet the mileage requirements and night flights that do not include "one cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance and 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport." Also, make sure that you clearly log the 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test within 60 days preceding the date of the test as "practical test preparation."
Every Practical Test Standard requires the applicant to provide an aircraft that is "legitimate" for the flight. It must have all the proper documents, appropriate inspections, and airworthiness directives to show compliance with the appropriate regulations. If your applicant shows up for a Practical Test with an aircraft whose airworthiness he cannot document he will not be allowed to proceed with the Practical Test! DPE Bulletin #2 published by the Arizona Designated Pilot Examiner Advisory Group (AZ DPEAG) details the requirements that your applicant must meet.
As part of the Practical Test there is a requirement for your applicant "exhibit knowledge of the elements related to cross-country flight planning by presenting and explaining a pre-planned VFR cross-country flight, as previously assigned by the examiner." The examiner will give the assigned route directly to the applicant not more than 24 hours in advance of the Practical Test. This pre-assignment is considered part of the flight test and is not to be given out to a third party and then given to the applicant in order to minimize the possibility of compromising this part of the test. See AZ DPEAG DPE Bulletin #3 for details.
Nothing is more frustrating and annoying for an examiner than to have to disapprove an applicant who misses obvious questions during the oral portion of the Practical Test. You know that your applicant will be required to recite from memory certain basic knowledge such as basic VFR weather minimums, airspace classes and their operating rules, pilot certification, and airplane equipment requirements and the criteria for Special VFR. Make sure that your student knows these basic facts before you recommend him for a Practical Test.
While the Practical Test Standards are pretty clear on what constitutes satisfactory performance on each task, there are two manuevers for which some elaboration is required, Turns Around a Point and Stalls. Your applicant should be prepared to demonstrate Turns Around a Point to both the left and right and with a maximum bank angle of 45 degrees. Your applicant should also be prepared to demonstrate stalls in all configurations in both left and right turns, not just straight ahead.
Practical Tests are not supposed to be games where instructors and examiners try to outwit each other -- when an applicant takes a Practical Test he should know exactly what will be expected of him and what standards he will be expected to meet. If you have any questions at all about any aspect of the Practical Test you should contact your DPE in advance -- most will be happy to answer your questions beforehand.