Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane (SEL, MEL, SES, MES‪)‬

Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane (SEL, MEL, SES, MES):  The Commercial Pilot—Airplane 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 airplane category, single-engine land and sea; and multiengine land and sea classes. 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 the practical test.  

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

General Information 

Practical Test Standards Concept 

Practical Test Book Description 

Practical Test Standards Description

Use of the Practical Test Standards Book 

Special Emphasis Areas 

Removal of the “Airplane Multiengine VFR Only” Limitation 

Removal of the “Limited to Center Thrust” Limitation

Commercial Pilot—Airplane Practical Test Prerequisites 

Aircraft and Equipment Required for the Practical Test

Use of FAA-Approved Flight Simulator or Flight Training

Device 

Flight Instructor Responsibility 

Examiner Responsibility

Satisfactory Performance

Unsatisfactory Performance

Crew Resource Management (CRM) 

Applicant’s Use of Checklists

Use of Distractions During Practical Tests

Positive Exchange of Flight Controls 

Metric Conversion Initiative

SECTION 1: COMMERCIAL PILOT AIRPLANE—SINGLE-ENGINE

LAND AND SINGLE-ENGINE SEA

CONTENTS 

ADDITIONAL RATING TASK TABLE: AIRPLANE

SINGLE-ENGINE LAND 

ADDITIONAL RATING TASK TABLE: AIRPLANE

SINGLE-ENGINE SEA

APPLICANT’S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST 

EXAMINER’S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST

AREAS OF OPERATION:

I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION 

II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES

III. AIRPORT AND SEAPLANE BASE OPERATIONS 

IV. TAKEOFFS, LANDINGS, AND GO-AROUNDS

V. PERFORMANCE MANEUVERS

VI GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVER

VII. NAVIGATION 

VIII. SLOW FLIGHT AND STALLS

IX. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

X. HIGH ALTITUDE OPERATIONS 

XI. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES 

APPENDIX 1—TASK VS. SIMULATION DEVICE CREDIT

TASK VS. SIMULATION DEVICE CREDIT 

USE OF CHART

FLIGHT SIMULATION DEVICE LEVEL

SECTION 2: COMMERCIAL PILOT AIRPLANE—MULTIENGINE

LAND AND MULTIENGINE SEA

CONTENTS

ADDITIONAL RATING TASK TABLE: AIRPLANE

MULTIENGINE LAND 

ADDITIONAL RATING TASK TABLE: AIRPLANE

MULTIENGINE SEA

APPLICANT’S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST 

EXAMINER’S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST

AREAS OF OPERATION:

I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION 

II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES

III. AIRPORT AND SEAPLANE BASE OPERATIONS

IV. TAKEOFFS, LANDINGS, AND GO-AROUNDS

V. PERFORMANCE MANEUVER

VI. NAVIGATION 

VII. SLOW FLIGHT AND STALLS

VIII EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

IX. HIGH ALTITUDE OPERATIONS 

X. MULTIENGINE OPERATIONS 

XI. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES 

APPENDIX 2—TASK VS. SIMULATION DEVICE CREDIT

TASK VS. SIMULATION DEVICE CREDIT 

USE OF CHART

FLIGHT SIMULATION DEVICE LEVEL