Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards..‪.‬

Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards for Glider:  The Commercial Pilot – Glider Practical Test Standards (PTS) book has been published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish the standards for commercial pilot certification practical tests for the glider category. FAA inspectors and designated pilot examiners shall conduct practical tests in compliance with these standards. Flight instructors and applicants should find these standards helpful during training and when preparing for practical tests.

 

The following major enhancements were made to FAA-S-8081-23A. The reference section has been updated to current FAA publications in use. An abbreviation section has been added. 

The “plan of action” is more thoroughly explained to include the requirement to use scenarios.


Practical test prerequisite requirements have been updated to current rules. 

The list of Special Emphasis Items has been updated. 

Unsatisfactory Performance has been clarified. 

The use of Letters of Discontinuance has been described. 

The requirement to evaluate the applicant’s Aeronautical Decision Making and Risk Management skills has been addressed. 

The need for testing in Single-Pilot Resource Management has been addressed and clarified. 

Reference to the metric system has been eliminated. 

The body of the PTS has been updated to include airworthiness requirements, self-launch systems, visual signals, runway 


CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION:

General Information

Practical Test Standard Concept

Practical Test Book Description

Abbreviations

Use of the Practical Test Standards Book

Special Emphasis Areas

Commercial Pilot – Glider Practical Test Prerequisites

Aircraft and Equipment Required for the Practical Test

Flight Instructors Responsibility

Examiner Responsibility

Satisfactory Performance

Unsatisfactory Performance

Letter of Discontinuance

Aeronautical Decision Making and Risk Management

Single-Pilot Resource Management

Applicant’s Use of Checklists

Use of Distractions during Practical Tests

Positive Exchange of Flight Controls

CHECKLISTS: 

Applicant’s Practical Test Checklist

Examiner’s Practical Test Checklist

ADDITIONAL RATING TASK TABLE

AREAS OF OPERATION: 

I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION

A. Certificates and Documents

B. Airworthiness Requirements

C. Weather Information

D. Operation of Systems

E. Performance and Limitations

F. Aeromedical Factors

II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES

A. Assembly

B. Ground Handling

C. Preflight Inspection

D. Cockpit Management

E. Visual Signals

III..AIRPORT AND GLIDERPORT OPERATIONS

A. Radio Communications and ATC Light Signals

B. Traffic Patterns 

C. Airport, Runway, and Taxiway Signs, 

Markings, and Lighting

IV. LAUNCHES AND LANDINGS

AEROTOW 

A. Before Takeoff Check

B. Normal and Crosswind Takeoff

C. Maintaining Tow Positions

D. Slack Line

E. Boxing the Wake

F. Tow Release

G. Abnormal Occurrences 

GROUND TOW (AUTO OR WINCH) 

H. Before Takeoff Check

I. Normal and Crosswind Takeoff

J. Abnormal Occurrences

SELF-LAUNCH 

K. Engine Starting

L. Taxiing

M. Before Takeoff Check.

N. Normal and Crosswind Takeoff and Climb

O. Engine Shutdown In Flight 

P. Abnormal Occurrences

LANDINGS

Q. Normal and Crosswind Landing

R. Slips to Landing

S. Downwind Landing

V. PERFORMANCE AIRSPEEDS

A. Minimum Sink Airspeed

B. Speed-To-Fly

VI. SOARING TECHNIQUES

A. Thermal Soaring

B. Ridge and Slope Soaring

C. Wave Soaring