PLAN OF ACTION
FOR THE
PRACTICAL TEST
Presented to: DPE Recurrent Course
By:
Ken Pannell, ASI
Date: 09/07/2007
Federal Aviation
Administration
OBJECTIVE
THE EXAMINER SHALL DEVELOP AND
USE A
WRITTEN
PLAN OF ACTION
USING THE EXAMINER TEST GUIDE,
PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS, AND
REFERENCES FOR GUIDANCE.
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A Plan of Action is Important!
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 WHY
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DO YOU NEED A PLAN OF
ACTION?
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Use of the Practical Test
Standards Book
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The FAA requires that all private pilot practical tests be conducted in
accordance with the appropriate private practical test standards and the
policies set forth in the INTRODUCTION. Applicants shall be evaluated
in ALL TASKS included in each AREA OF OPERATION of the
appropriate practical test standard, unless otherwise noted.
An applicant, who holds at least a private pilot certificate seeking an
additional airplane category rating and/or class rating at the private pilot
level, shall be evaluated in the AREAS OF OPERATION and TASKS
listed in the Additional Rating Task Table. At the discretion of the
examiner, an evaluation of the applicant’s competence in the remaining
AREAS OF OPERATION and TASKs may be conducted.
If the applicant holds two or more category or class ratings at least at
the private level, and the ratings table indicates differing required
TASKS, the “least restrictive” entry applies. For example, if “ALL” and
“NONE” are indicated for one AREA OF OPERATION, the “NONE”
entry applies. If “B” and “B, C” are indicated, the “B” entry applies.
In preparation for each practical test, the examiner shall develop a
written “plan of action.” The “plan of action” shall include all TASKs in
each AREA OF OPERATION, unless noted otherwise.
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Use of the Practical Test
Standards Book continued
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If the elements
in one TASK have already been evaluated in another TASK, they need
not be repeated. For example, the “plan of action” need not include
evaluating the applicant on complying with markings, signals, and
clearances at the end of the flight, if that element was sufficiently
observed at the beginning of the flight. Any TASK selected for
evaluation during a practical test shall be evaluated in its entirety.
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 have an orderly and efficient flow of the practical test. For
example, Radio Communications and ATC Light Signals may be
combined with Traffic Patterns. The examiner’s “plan of action” shall
include the order and combination of TASKs to be demonstrated by the
applicant in a manner that will result in an efficient and valid test.
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 WHAT
RESOURSES SHOULD YOU
USE TO DEVELOP A PLAN OF
ACTION?
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RESOURSES
From
appropriate and
current Practical Test
Standards
Examiner test guide
Reference material listed in
PTS.
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 Which
briefings are required in your
Plan of Action for a practical test?
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Must Include
PRE-TEST BRIEFING
PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING
POST-FLIGHT BRIEFING
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PUT THE APPLICANT AT EASE
.
Make the applicant feel at
ease
Let them know what to
expect for the day.
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 Does
it make any difference
which portion of the test is
administered first?.
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 In
accordance with the PTS,
 THE GROUND PORTION OF THE
PRACTICAL TEST MUST BE
COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT
PORTION.
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FIGURE 5-1. EXAMINER TEST GUIDE
Pilot Examiners should use the Examiner Test Guide and the appropriate Practical Test Standard(s) to organize their plan of
action. This guide is not a substitute for a plan of action. You may modify this material to meet your specific needs. Pilot Examiners
should assure that they give three briefings to each applicant: Pretest, Preflight, and Postflight.
APPOINTMENT
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1. Applicant
Name ____________________ Telephone_________________
2. Instructor
Name ____________________ Telephone_________________
3. Practical Test
Certificate and/or rating sought__________
Retest (Yes/No) Yes - FAX copy
Aircraft make and model _______________
Location of test - time and date __________
4. Required Documentation
Class of medical (if applicable) __
Valid knowledge test results (if applicable) __
Aircraft - certificates, logbooks, and equipment __________
FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating
Application, completed and (if required) signed by instructor;
IACRA - Applicant's FTN & Application ID No. ___________
Special considerations - drug convictions ____________
Identification - Photo/signature I.D. __
Flight time records and requirements __
Required endorsements __
5. Practical Test Standards (PTSs)
Are you familiar with the PTS__
PTS checklist of required equipment __
6. Fee
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•PRACTICAL TEST FLIGHT PLANNING
•1.Cross-country to be planned (if applicable) __
•2. Weight and balance computations __
•3. Aircraft performance computations __
•4. Flight planning facilities/FSS telephone numbers __
•DPE - AM I PREPARED? __
•SET THE ENVIRONMENT
•1. Be on time
•2. Physical testing environment
•Ensure privacy
•Eliminate possible interruptions
•Have calls held, etc.
•3. Psychological testing environment
•Show genuine interest in the applicant
•Be polite, courteous, receptive
•Manage your prejudices
•Keep personal or business problems to yourself
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•PRETEST BRIEFING
•1. Put the applicant at ease (small talk, etc.)
•2. Advise applicant of available comfort facilities
•3. Confirm type of practical test or retest
•4. Provide casual overview of the test
•5. Collect/Verify the required documents specified during the
•appointment:
•FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating
•Application __
•Photo/signature I.D. (Note type on 8710-1 and return) __
•Pilot Certificate (Verify against I.D. & FAA Form 8710-1 and
•return) __
•Medical (note limitations) __
•Knowledge test results (if appropriate) __
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•PRETEST BRIEFING (Cont'd)
•Logbook or training records (Verify that the applicant meets all
•requirements and appropriate endorsements) __
•Aircraft documents (Verify location & scheduled availability)
•6. Verify that required equipment (hood, etc.) is available
•7. Verify that applicant is aware of PTS requirements and
•tolerances
•8. Advise the applicant that:
•FAA Practical Test IAW the ____________ PTS
•Will be using a Plan of Action (Used to organize the Practical Test)
•Will be taking notes for the debrief
•Perfection is not the standard
•Oral questioning will continue throughout the test
•Three possible outcomes are:
•Temporary airman certificate
•Notice of disapproval of application
•Letter of Discontinuance
•9. Any Questions?
•10. Collect Fee __
•11. Announce "THE TEST HAS BEGUN!"
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EXAMINER RESPONSIBILITY
Testing at the Highest
Level!
Correlation
Application
Understanding
Rote
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ORAL QUESTIONING
1. Access all levels of learning: Rote, Understanding,
Application,
Correlation. Correlation: Should be the objective of aviation
instruction.
2. Scenario situations are one of the evaluator's better tools
for more comprehensive testing and will, to the greatest
extent
practicable, test the applicant's correlative abilities.
Scenarios also aid in evaluating pilot judgment, knowledge,
and skill.
3. Characteristics of a good oral test questions. Reliable,
Valid,
Usable, Objective, Comprehensive, and Non-discriminating.
4. Oral questioning may continue throughout the test.
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PREFLIGHT BRIEFING
1. Profile of flight test
2. Pilot in Command (14 CFR § 61.47)
3. Emergencies - actual and simulated Engine failure - takeoff and
landing
Other emergencies-Feathering
4. Transfer of controls (if applicable)
5. Collision avoidance (CFI applicant required to instruct)
Looking for reported traffic
Clearing the area before maneuvers
6. First preflight - weight and balance - VFR/IFR option
7. Advise that oral questioning will continue - Perfection is not the
standard
8. Testing with Plan of Action will continue IAW PTS
9. Will continue taking notes
10. Continue/discontinue if task is unsatisfactory
11. Answer any questions
12. Advise applicant to return aircraft documents to the aircraft
13. Begin flight evaluation
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 What
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should you do if the aircraft is
not airworthy?
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 If
you have not announced
 “THE TEST HAS BEGUN”, you must
return all documents and refuse to
test the applicant.
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•FLIGHT TEST
•1. Be sure to take plan of action with you to the aircraft
•2. Conduct flight test according to the Practical Test Standards
•3. No instruction
•4. No second chance when maneuver is unsatisfactory
•5. Continue testing if maneuver is incomplete or you need more information to make a
decision
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6. Unsatisfactory performance:
Exceeding aircraft limitations
Examiner intervention
Inappropriate emergency procedures
Outcome of the maneuver being seriously in doubt
Poor judgment
Not within approved standards
Failure to apply aeronautical knowledge
Not being the master of the aircraft
Consistently exceeding tolerances stated in the objective
Failure to take prompt corrective action when tolerances are
exceeded
7. Use realistic distractions during the flight test
8. Did the applicant meet the objective of the task?
P Did the applicant complete the procedure described?
T Did the applicant perform the maneuver within the
tolerances?
S Did the applicant meet all safety considerations?
If you can answer YES to each of these questions without
reservation, the applicant has satisfactorily completed the task.
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EMPHASIS AREAS: As a result of studies into the cause factors of incidents,
accidents, and violations, it is imperative that pilot examiners give special
consideration and exercise their most conservative judgment in evaluating the
applicant's knowledge of the following areas:
1. Preflight
Aircraft manuals and documentation
Pilot and medical certificates
Weather
Airport area and surroundings
2. Preflight inspections
Landing gear
Engine(s)
Adequacy of fuel supply & ATC communications and airspace
considerations
3. Clearances
Instructions
Operations to/from/within/near Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace
4. Proper use of the flight controls/brakes on the ground
5. Landing flare
6. Avoidance of objects in the air and on the ground
7. Maintenance of adequate flying speed
8. Operations to/from/on suitable terrain for T/O, Apch, & Ldg
Config.& Proc.
9. Observance of minimum safe altitudes--congested and non
congested areas
10. Use of stabilized approach/flight path procedures
11. Forced landings
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QUESTION GUIDELINES
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Establishing rapport: don't try to impress
people, rather make them feel comfortable and
not intimidated.
Better listening: all too often, you are
thinking about your next question and not
listening to the applicant’s answer.
Higher motivation: the right answer will not
be imposed by you, it will be owned by your
applicant, who, thus, will be more motivated to
follow it up with further discussion.
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POST - FLIGHT
1. General
Reaffirm outcome
Allow applicant some time to self
Prepare temporary airman cert./disapproval notice/letter of
discontinuance
Offer to sign applicant's logbook
2. Temporary Airman Certificate
Establish a positive atmosphere
Highlight above average performance
Debrief using the plan of action
Have applicant review and sign temporary airman
certificate
Examiner signs and issues temporary airman certificate
Advise of duration - 120 days
Ensure applicant has proper documents
Verify that you have the proper documents
Brief flight instructor of applicant's performance
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3. Disapproval Notice
Establish a positive atmosphere
Highlight above average performance as well as
deficient tasks
Debrief using the plan of action
Use PTS to explain reasons for disapproval
Do not criticize the flight instructor
Be alert for Denial, Anger, Bargaining, or
Depression
Issue disapproval notice
Advise re-test credit for satisfactorily completed
items is
60 days
Ensure applicant has proper documents
Verify that you have the proper documents
Brief flight instructor of applicant's performance
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FLIGHT PROFILE
EXAMPLE
AOA
II
A
B
C
D
E
ITEM DESCRIPTION
Preflight Inspection
Cockpit Management
Engine Starting
Taxiing
Before Take-off Check
IV
A
Normal & Crosswind T/O and Climb
VII
A
B
C
Cross Country Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
Locate Position to VOR/Navigation systems
Divert to Practice area -- Airport nearby
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COMMENTS
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FLIGHT PROFILE
V
A
IX
A
B
D
C
E
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Steep Turns--+/- 100’ +/- 10kts
+/-5 degrees
Rollout
+/- 10 degrees
BASIC INSTRUMENTS
Straight-and-level flight ALT200/H20/A/S10
Constant A/S Climbs -200/20/10
Turn to Heading -200/10/10
Constant airspeed descents 200/20/10
Unusual attitudes
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FLIGHT PROFILE
VIII
Maneuvering During Slow
Flight (Specify Vs)
1500’AGL +/-100’ HD+/-10 A/S +10-0
Bank +/-10
C
Power On Stall-HD+/-10
B
Power off Stall-HD+/-10
X
A
Emergency Descent ( Simulated Engine
fire or cockpit smoke) A/S +/-10
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A
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FLIGHT PROFILE
VI
A. Rectangular Course
B. S-Turns
C. Turns around a point
600’-1000’AGL-+/-100’
KTS
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A/S +/-10
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FLIGHT PROFILE
CONTINUE TO AIRPORT FOR T/O AND LANDINGS AND
AOO IIIB (TRAFFIC PATTERNS)
IV
F
Short Field approach and
landing
H
Go-Around
F
Short Field approach and
landing
E
Short Field Takeoff and
climb
D
Soft-Field approach and
landing
C
Soft-Field takeoff and
climb
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RETURN HOME
IV
B
Normal and Crosswind approach
and landing
**K
XII
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**Forward Slip to a
landing
A
After landing procedures
B
Parking and Securing
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QUESTION
 CAN
AN APPLICANT FAIL THE TEST
IF THEY HAVE PERFORMED VERY
SATISFACTORLY UP TO THIS POINT?
XII
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A
B
After landing procedures
Parking and Securing
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 WHAT
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ARE SOME EXAMPLES?
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POST-FLIGHT:
SATISFACTORY
DEBRIEF
USING PLAN OF ACTION
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SATISFACTORY
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Give the applicant some time to themselves.
Debrief in a private room or area.
Let them know what maneuvers were really good.
Give them suggestions for continued improvement.
Suggest continued instruction for Instrument rating.
Let them know you will contact their instructor.
Complete the files I.A.W. /8710.3E.
Sign logbook
Make applicant aware of wings program for B.F.R.
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POST-FLIGHT:
UNSATISFACTORY
•DEBRIEF
•USING PLAN OF ACTION
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UNSATISFACTORY
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Give the applicant some time to themselves.
Debrief in a private room or area.
Let them know what maneuvers were really good.
Give them suggestions for additional training.
Be very honest, their safety depends on it.
Let them know you will contact their instructor.
Complete the files I.A.W. /8710.3E, submit in 5 business
days.
Sign logbook, if applicant is willing.
Look at possible dates for re-test.
Stress unsafe/unsatisfactory areas of operation with
instructor, give recommendations.
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 CONTINUALLY
UPDATE YOUR PLAN
OF ACTION.
 CREATE DIFFERENT ONES WITH
DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.
 MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE YOU
ARE ISSUING CERTIFICATES TO ARE
MEETING THE STANDARDS!
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QUESTIONS?
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