Meet The Examiner - Presentation Contents - Overview of What Happens in a Practical Test - Transition from Practical Test Standards to Airman Certification Standards

Sep 25, 2026

The presentation explains how a practical test verifies that applicants have been trained to fly safely according to Practical Test Standards and the transition to Airman Certification Standards. It outlines the practical test workflow, including briefings, oral examination, pre-flight and flight examination, and post-test actions, while emphasizing quality control and evaluation-only responsibilities of the DPE. It also covers test structure and limitations: required qualifications, scenario(s) provision, IACRA usage, private testing rules, PIC responsibilities during flight, FAA oversight, and common disapproval criteria.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages48

Reading Time2 h 1 min

AccessFree to download

Overview of What Happens in a Practical Test

Transition from Practical Test Standards to Airman Certification Standards (June 15, 2016)

Some Observations as a Designated Pilot Examiner

Structure of a Practical Test

Applicant/DPE Information Exchange

Pre-Test Briefing and Qualification

Oral Examination

Pre-Flight Briefing

Flight Examination

Post-Test Briefing

Practical Test Video

Structure and Limitations of a Practical Test

DPE scenario requirements and pre-test verification

Required briefing, outcomes, and test conduct rules

All Testing Per PTS / ACS

Airman Certification Standards (ACS)

ACS document structure and key appendices

| Meet The Examiner | | | --- | --- | | Howard Wolvington
Designated Pilot Examiner 2014 National CFI of the Year
This presentation at [FlyWithHoward.com/Resources](FlyWithHoward.com/Resources) | | | 10/21/2016 Meet The Examiner | | | Presentation Contents

Overview of What Happens in a Practical Test
Transition from
Practical Test Standards to Airman Certification Standards
(June 15, 2016)
Some Observations as a Designated Pilot Examiner | | --- | | 10/21/2016 Meet The Examiner 2 | | Structure Of A Practical Test

The Practical Test Is Quality Control to verify that the Applicant has been has adequately trained by his/her CFI to fly safely as measured by Practical Test Standards / Airman Certification
Standards
Most Applicants Pass!
• Applicant/DPE Information Exchange
• Pre-Test Briefing and Qualification
• Oral Examination
• Pre-Flight Briefing
• Flight Examination
• Post-Test Briefing | | --- | | 10/21/2016 Meet The Examiner 3 | | Practical Test Video

Applicant will be nervous and may not perform to potential DPE must only Evaluate and can not Instruct Applicant may attempt to deduce answers from the DPE Orals are “open book”(within reason)
DPE may see many defense mechanisms and emotional reactions DPE is an current and experienced pilot and CFIDPE might take controls for safety (not a desirable thing…)
[https://vimeo.com/33231695](https://vimeo.com/33231695) | | --- | | 10/21/2016 Meet The Examiner 4 | | Structure and Limitations of a Practical Test

• DPE must test Applicant with Scenario(s): 1 provided before the Test
• Before commencement of Test, DPE must verify that Airman and Airplane are qualified for the Practical Test
– Airman has acceptable identification
– Airman has pre-requisite certificates (Medical, Pilot)
– Airman has application and logbook with appropriate endorsements
– Airman has applicable aeronautical experience
– Airman has knowledge test certificate, if applicable
– Airman brings suitable (61.45) Airworthy aircraft
– Airman meets FAA Aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP) standards
• Before commencement of Test, DPE must provide a briefing
– Structure of the Test
– Pilots Bill Of Rights
– Possible outcomes (Temporary Certificate, Disapproval, Discontinuance) | | --- | | 10/21/2016 Meet The Examiner 5 | | Structure and Limitations of a Practical Test

• IACRA must be used unless unavailable (no paper 8710…)
• Practical Test must be conduct in Private – no observers (other than FAA ASI)
• Oral portion must be completed satisfactorily before flight portion is started, but oral questions continue during flight portion
• Test must be planned for 1 day – Test cannot commence unless there is a reasonable expectation that the flight portion can be completed
• During flight portion of the Test, the Applicant is PIC (61.47)
• At completion of the Test, DPE briefs Applicant and the recommending CFI
• FAA ASI may observe any Practical Test without notice, and must observe at least 1 Practical Test per year for each DPE
• Annually FSDO interviews Applicants to check on DPE activity | | --- | | 10/21/2016 Meet The Examiner 6 | | All Testing Per PTS / ACS

• DPE must test using the PTS/ACS with written Plan of Action
• DPE can not make up any new requirements not in the PTS/ACS
• DPE wants 100% of Applicants to Pass, but Disapprovals do happen
• Criteria for Issuance of Notice of Disapproval
– Examiner intervention (safety or regulatory requirements)
– Inadequate Collision Avoidance
– Consistently exceeding Tolerances (Perfection is not the standard)
– Unable FAA Aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP) standards
– Violation of Aircraft Limitations
– Failure to exercise Risk Management | | --- | | 10/21/2016 Meet The Examiner 7 | | Airman Certification Standards (ACS)

• Replaces previous Private Pilot and Instrumen

FAQs

What is the purpose of a practical test in this presentation?

It serves as quality control to verify that the applicant was adequately trained to fly safely, measured against Practical Test Standards and Airman Certification Standards.

What sequence of activities makes up the practical test?

It includes applicant/DPE information exchange, pre-test briefing and qualification, oral examination, pre-flight briefing, flight examination, and post-test briefing.

What are the major structure and limitation requirements for the practical test?

The DPE must verify qualifications and identification, use scenario(s) provided before the test, provide required briefing, use IACRA when available, conduct the test privately without observers (except FAA ASI), complete oral satisfactorily before flight starts (while oral questions can continue during flight), and ensure the applicant is PIC during the flight portion.

Sep 25, 2026

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