Pilot Practical Test: Scenario-Based Training

• Pilot examiners are encouraged by the FAA to use scenario-based training during practical tests.
• Examiners often ask applicants to pre-plan a cross-country flight as the basis for the oral exam.
• Questions may not follow the order in the ACS but are designed to be open-ended, allowing for exploration of knowledge.
• Use scrap paper to organize thoughts; acronyms like "TOMATO FLAMES" can be helpful.
• Diagrams can help explain complex systems or concepts to the examiner.
• Responses should demonstrate an understanding of underlying concepts and their importance.
• It's important to convey the practical application of knowledge, including what to do, when, why, and how.
• Discuss considered and discarded plans, explaining your reasoning.

Pilot Requirements and Endorsements

• Meet safety pilot and currency requirements to carry passengers.
• For a safety pilot, you need a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating.
• Requires an endorsement to act as PIC in a complex airplane.
• Must hold a valid medical certificate.
• Satisfactorily meet flight review requirements.
• Log at least three takeoffs and landings in the preceding 90 days to carry passengers.

Proficiency Program (WINGS)

• An FAA and industry accident prevention initiative.
• It is based on the idea that pilots who maintain proficiency are safer.
• Encourages ongoing flight training and aviation education throughout the year.
• Fulfills the flight review recency requirement as per $61.56(e) if basic WINGS level requirements are met within 24 months.
• More information is at faasafety.gov with free online courses.
• Details are in Advisory Circular 61-91.

Aircraft Airworthiness

• Airworthiness verification involves three aspects.
• The Airworthiness Certificate confirms the aircraft was manufactured according to regulations.
• Pertinent documents include the Airworthiness Certificate, Registration, Operating Limitations (in AFM or POH), placards, markings, and weight and balance data.
• The annual inspection must be completed within the past 12 months by a mechanic with Inspector Authorization.
• A 100-hour inspection is needed if appropriate.
• The transponder inspection should be done within the previous 24 months, if needed.
• The ELT battery must be current, and the system inspected within the past 12 months.
• ADs must be complied with.
• Outstanding maintenance discrepancies are checked, and the status of inoperative equipment is verified.
• The aircraft has required instruments and equipment for the type of flight (day VFR vs. night VFR).
• A thorough preflight inspection has been completed and the aircraft is properly serviced.

Cross-Country Planning

• Discuss alternative courses considered and why they were discarded to show good ADM.
• Consider terrain, circumnavigating areas of extreme terrain or dense forests with limited emergency landing options.
• Checkpoints should be easy to spot and identify.
• Navigation and communication reception affect course and altitude choices.
• Airspace, including SUA and Class B, influences route planning.
• Weather avoidance is a key consideration.

Emergency Procedures

• If the kneeboard falls after takeoff, be aware of potential stalls and spins.
• Recover by getting the nose down to reduce the angle of attack.
• Buffeting indicates a potential stall without enough altitude to recover.
• Distraction could mean the aircraft is not in coordinated flight.

Airspace Awareness

• Describe the airspace surrounding the departure airport and along the route.
• Explain how each airspace impacts flight decisions and requirements.
• In Class D airspace, maintain two-way communication with the control tower.
• Typically, clearing Class "D" airspace means being above 700 feet AGL.
• Outside of 700 feet AGL, VFR cloud clearances and 3 SM visibility are required.
• Below 700 feet AGL, be in Class G airspace, stay clear of clouds, and maintain at least 1 SM visibility.
• In an area where the base of Class E airspace is at 1,200 AGL adjust altitude.

Altitude Selection

• Ensure terrain clearances are high enough to exceed minimum safe altitudes.

Responding to Equipment Malfunctions

• Without engine gauges, fuel gauges will show empty making it uncomfortable.
• Without lights, a flashlight is needed for night flights, and landing will be without a landing light.
• If without a turn coordinator, the pitot/static and gyro instruments will be operational.
• If without COM radios at a controlled airport, look for light gun signals.

Collision Avoidance Techniques

• Have good habits during all phases of flight.
• Keep the windshield clean.
• Organize the cockpit to reduce "head down" time, i.e. pre-fold charts.
• Keep head up and eyes outside during ground maneuvering.
• On the ground, stop while copying ATC clearances.
• Clear turns are performed before performance maneuvers with rapid heading or altitude changes.
• Scan often for traffic in straight-and-level flight and maneuvers.
• Enter traffic patterns correctly and listen on frequencies, especially at uncontrolled airports.
• Visually verify that the final approach is clear before takeoff.
• Use anti-collision and landing lights at night or in low visibility.
• Comply with right-of-way rules (14 CFR $91.113).
• In a radar environment, look for traffic issued by ATC and maneuver to avoid it.
• Report to ATC if visual contact with traffic is lost.
• Utilize flight following en route as a method of traffic avoidance.

Taxiway Incidents

• Hitting a taxiway light with the prop damaged and the lower nose cowling dented might not require an NTSB report if damage is limited and under $25,000.
• Tow the airplane to the shop for repairs.
• Contact the airport manager to remove any foreign object debris.

Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear

• Consider the autopilot as emergency equipment for workload reduction.
• Use the communications radio to send a "mayday."
• The GPS for "NRST" and "DIRECT TO" navigation to an airport.
• Emergency equipment is needed not only for extreme terrain or temperature conditions.
• Use the transponder to signal "7700."
• Carry items such as a fire extinguisher, cell phone, water, snacks, a pocket knife/all-purpose tool, and a first aid kit.
• Carry a manually activated Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT).

Risk Management

• PAVE and 5P checklists are tools for pilots to manage the risks of flying.
• Differences between the PAVE and 5P Checklists:
  • PAVE encourages reaction to unacceptable risk elements.
  • 5P encourages proactive surveillance and early action to prevent problems.
• The PAVE is Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External Pressures
• The 5P's are the Plan, the Plane, the Pilot, the Passengers, and the Programming

Managing Passenger Aeromedical Risks

• Passengers prone to motion sickness should sit in the front seat to focus on the horizon.
• Keep a disposable emesis bag onboard.
• Passengers with ear/sinus issues should sit in the front to watch for problems and take action during climbs/descents.

Aeromedical Factors for Long Flights

• Apply the "I'M SAFE" checklist before takeoff.
• Carry supplemental oxygen for flights above 10,000 feet MSL.
• Plan to fly below 8,000 feet MSL to prevent hypoxia.
• Carry a small water bottle to prevent dehydration.
• Plan shorter legs with fuel/rest stops every 2-3 hours to avoid stress and fatigue.

Aeromedical Factors After Diving

• Use the "I'M SAFE" checklist before flight.
• During winter, place the carbon monoxide detector near the cabin heat outlet.
• If flying in low visibility, scan instruments more to prevent spatial disorientation.
• Use the autopilot to maintain wing level.
• Wait 12-24 hours after scuba diving to fly, depending on the dive's descent profile, to avoid nitrogen oxide symptoms.
• Wait at least 8 hours after drinking alcohol before takeoff.

Flying with Inoperative Equipment

• Fly without a transponder inspection if turning transponder OFF, place an "INOP" sticker near the ON/OFF switch and avoid certain airspace types.
• Obtain authorization from the air traffic facility chief to fly in normally requires a transponder.
• A special flight permit from the FSDO is required to fly without an annual inspection.
• All installed equipment must be operational before takeoff, unless the flight follows an approved minimum equipment list, or the equipment is not required by type design, regulations, or ADs.
• The pilot can safely operate the airplane without the equipment.