So, You're Ready for the Practical Test. Now What?
Tony Verhulst AGI, CFI-G Last Revision: 5/05
Your instructor has just told you that you are ready to take the private pilot practical (flight) test. Congratulations! You've come a long way, as the saying goes but, now what?
First things first. Your instructor needs to make the proper endorsements in your logbook. These endorsements are your ticket to take the test. The FAA requires (FAR 61.39(a)(6)) that you must have logged "3 training flights in a glider with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test. These must have been performed within the 60 day period preceding the date of the test". Your instructor is also required to quiz you on the questions you missed on the knowledge test. Make sure that you have made these required dual flights and you have a signed logbook entries as follows:
I certify that -------------- has received the training time required within the preceding 60 days in preparation for the private pilot - glider practical test and find him/her prepared for that test. He/she has demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of the subject areas found deficient on the private pilot aeronautical knowledge test.
The second endorsement certifies that you have been instructed in all required areas and will look something like this:
I certify that I have given ------------- the ground and flight training required by FAR 61.107(b)(6) and find him/her prepared for the private pilot practical test.
The endorsements are valid for 60 days. If you don't take your test within that amount of time, you'll need another "sign off".
Next, you need to fill out your application - FAA form 8710-1. This form is
available at the clubhouse, the FAA at a Flight Standards District Office
(FSDO), or you can download one from http://forms.faa.gov/forms/faa8710-1a.pdf
(Adobe Acrobat Reader needed). Note that if you use the downloaded version, you
must use a high quality printer capable of printing on both sides. First
impressions are very important and this form is the first thing that the FAA
designated pilot examiner will see. Make sure that it is filled out properly. I
know this sounds silly, but read and understand the instructions for each
question on the form before answering it. Like most bureaucracies, the FAA is
fussy about the paper work. For instance, the instructions state that dates
should be specified as 8 numeric integers separated by dashes - birthdate
1. Remember that a student pilot license is a real license so, in block M, where it asks for previous licenses held, enter "student" and not "none".
2. In section III, Record of Pilot Time: A student pilot logs solo time as pilot in command time, but on the 8710-1 application solo time must still be recorded in order to qualify for the rating. Confused? In actuality, it's not that bad. For the purposes of the 8710-1 form, solo and PIC time can be considered to the same. Consider a hypothetical student pilot with 45 hours in his/her logbook 20 hours of it was with an instructor, and the other 25 was flying alone. Section III should be filled out as follows:
|
Total |
Instruction Received |
Solo |
Pilot In Command |
|
45 |
20 |
25 |
25 |
The examiner will scrutinize your application very carefully because he does not want to see it back in his mailbox with an OKC postmark on it. Some instructors give the applicant a second 8710-1 with only the applicant's name, the rating sought, and his/her signature filled in just in case problems are encountered at the time of the exam and needs to be redone.
Next, make an appointment with the examiner. We have 2 FAA designated examiners available - Jim Dimare and Wally Moran. Phone or email for an appointment – Jim at (603) 434-1628, Wally at (203) 761-0196 / wjmoran@optonline.net. Use the time until the appointment to bone up for the oral part of the exam. Your knowledge test results (which MUST have been taken within the past 2 years), has not only your score, but also codes that indicate knowledge areas in which you were deficient (unless you "aced" the test, of course). The examiner may orally test you in these areas to make sure that you now understand the material, but any question related to gliders and flying is fair game.
Show up for your exam at the appointed time with your completed 8710-1 form (plus a spare, just in case), your logbook, your original (no photocopy) knowledge test score results, and a picture ID. Also have the logbook and manual for the aircraft in which you'll take the test. You will also need to pay the examiner (a check is fine). The typical fee for a private pilot practical test is about $175. After reviewing the paperwork, you will be given the oral exam, and then the actual flight exam.
When testing you, the examiner will use the Practical Test Standards (PTS). This is a document that contains all objectives to be covered on the exam. Of course, you will be very familiar with the PTS at this point in time because your instructor will have gone over it with you as part of your practical test preparation. You should have your own copy (extra brownie points if you have it with you at the time of the exam). A copy is available from the club (hard copy in the club house or online on the GBSC web page). It's also for sale from the Soaring Society of America (SSA), if you insist on spending real money.
I don't mean to make it sound like the process is more difficult than it
really is, because it's not really that complicated. When your instructor signs
you off to take the practical test, you are competent to take the test. Believe
it! The point of this presentation is simply to make you familiar with the
procedures, and to make you aware that, when dealing with any bureaucracy,
crossing the ‘t’s and
dotting the ‘i’s count.