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Instruction (Getting Your Certification) Practical Exam: The Checkride The following highlights  are from the FAAs Private Pilot Practical Test Standards booklet, available through Phoenix Aviation. This information is provided solely to provide students with a brief introduction to the FAA testing procedures; pilots should consult the full document in preparation for their checkride. The FAA requires that each Private Pilot practical test be conducted in accordance with the appropriate Private Pilot Practical Test Standard and the policies set forth in this introduction. Private pilot applicants shall be evaluated in all tasks included in each area of operation of the appropriate practical test standard. In preparation for the practical test, the examiner shall develop a written plan of action. The plan of action shall include all tasks in each area of operation. Any task selected shall be evaluated in its entirety. However, if the elements in one task have already been evaluated in another tasl, they need not be repeated. The examiner may, for any valid reason, elect to evaluate certain tasks orally. Such tasks include those that are impracticable, such as night flying. The examiner is not required to follow the precise order in which the areas of operation and tasks appear in this book. The examiner may change the sequence or combine tasks with similar objectives to meet the orderly, efficient flow of a well-run practical test. For example, a rectangular course may be combined with an airport traffic pattern. However, the Objectives of all tasks must be demonstrated and evaluated at some time during the practical test. Examiners shall place special emphasis upon those aircraft operations that are most critical to flight safety. Among these areas are precise aircraft control and sound judgment in decision making. Although these areas may or may not be shown under each task, they are essential to flight safety and shall receive careful evaluation throughout the practical test. If these areas are shown in the pbjective, additional emphasis shall be placed on them. An appropriately rated flight instructor is responsible for training the student to acceptable standards in all knowledge areas, procedures, and maneuvers as outlined in the Objective of each task within the appropriate Private Pilot Practical Test Standard. Because of the impact of their teaching activities in developing safe, proficient pilots, flight instructors should exhibit a high level of knowledge and skill, and the ability to impart that knowledge and skill to students. Additionally, the flight instructor must certify that the applicant is able to perform safely as a private pilot and is competent to pass the required practical test for the certificate or rating sought. Throughout the applicant's training, the flight instructor is responsible for emphasizing effective visual scanning, and inflight collision and runway incursion avoidance, and the positive exchange of flight controls. These areas are covered, in part, in AC 90-48, Pilots’ Role in Collision Avoidance; AC 61-21, Flight Training Handbook; AC 61-23, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge; and the Airman's Information Manual. SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE Satisfactory performance is based on the applicant’s ability to safely: 1. perform the approved AREAS OF OPERATION for the certificate or rating sought within the approved standards; 2. demonstrate mastery of the aircraft with the successful outcome of each task performed never seriously in doubt; 3. demonstrate satisfactory proficiency and competency within the approved standards; 4. demonstrate sound judgment; and 5. demonstrate single-pilot competence if the aircraft is type certificated for single-pilot operations. AREAS OF OPERATION I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION A. CERTIFICATES AND DOCUMENTS B. WEATHER INFORMATION C. CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT PLANNING D. NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM E. PERFORMANCE AND LIMITATIONS F. OPERATION OF SYSTEMS G. MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST H. AEROMEDICAL FACTORS II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES A. PREFLIGHT INSPECTION B. COCKPIT MANAGEMENT C. ENGINE STARTING D. TAXIING E. BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECK III. AIRPORT OPERATIONS A. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AND ATC LIGHT SIGNALS B. TRAFFIC PATTERNS C. AIRPORT AND RUNWAY MARKINGS AND LIGHTING IV. TAKEOFFS, LANDINGS, AND GO-AROUNDS A. NORMAL AND CROSSWIND TAKEOFF AND CLIMB B. NORMAL AND CROSSWIND APPROACH AND LANDING C. SOFT-FIELD TAKEOFF AND CLIMB D. SOFT-FIELD APPROACH AND LANDING E. SHORT-FIELD TAKEOFF AND CLIMB F. SHORT-FIELD APPROACH AND LANDING G. FORWARD SLIP TO A LANDING H. GO-AROUND V. PERFORMANCE MANEUVER A. STEEP TURNS VI. GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVERS A. RECTANGULAR COURSE B. S-TURNS C. TURNS AROUND A POINT VII. NAVIGATION A. PILOTAGE AND DEAD RECKONING B. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS AND RADAR SERVICES C. DIVERSION D. LOST PROCEDURES VIII. SLOW FLIGHT AND STALLS A. MANEUVERING DURING SLOW FLIGHT B. POWER-OFF STALLS C. POWER-ON STALLS D. SPIN AWARENESS IX. BASIC INSTRUMENT MANEUVERS A. STRAIGHT-AND-LEVEL FLIGHT B. CONSTANT AIRSPEED CLIMBS C. CONSTANT AIRSPEED DESCENTS D. TURNS TO HEADINGS E. UNUSUAL FLIGHT ATTITUDES F. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS, NAVIGATION SYSTEMS/FACILITIES, AND RADAR SERVICES X. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS A. EMERGENCY DESCENT B. EMERGENCY APPROACH AND LANDING C. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTIONS D. EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND SURVIVAL GEAR XI. NIGHT OPERATIONS A. NIGHT PREPARATION B. NIGHT FLIGHT XII. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES A. AFTER LANDING B. PARKING AND SECURING   Copyright © Phoenix Aviation Incorporated 2003. All Rights Reserved.