Pilot Practical Exam

FAA Practical Test
John W Beck, PhD, ATP, DPE

Welcome

Private Pilot Prerequisites
Part 61 student pilot to Private Pilot ASEL only.

Prerequisites
q Valid student pilot certificate and third-class medical (or greater)
q At least 17 years old
q Read, speak, write, and understand English
q 70% or better score on private pilot knowledge test
Minimum Aeronautical Experience
q 40 hours of flight time, including at least
q 20 hours of training time (this means dual instruction)
q 3 hours of cross-country flight training
q 3 hours night flight training
q 1 night XC training flight greater than 100nm
q 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop at an airport
q 3 hours of simulated instrument time
q 3 hours of practical test prep flights within the preceding 2 calendar months with a CFI
q 10 hours of solo flight time
q 5 hours of solo cross country time
q One solo cross-country flight of 150nm total distance, with fullstop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight w/ straight-line distance of at least 50nm between takeoff and landing locations.
q 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop (each with a flight in the pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
Endorsements Required for the Checkride
These endorsements are specifically required for the checkride.
q Recent Training Endorsement – Certifies you have the 3 hours of dual in the last 2 months. (See above)
q Knowledge Test Deficient Areas Endorsement – Certifies your instructor has gone back over, and trained you on knowledge test questions you missed.
Plus, you should already have these endorsements in your logbook:
q Knowledge Test Endorsement or Review of Home Study Curriculum (§61.103) Note: You needed this endorsement before taking the knowledge test.
q U.S. Citizenship/Alien Endorsement – Certifies U.S. citizenship w/ appropriate document number OR follows TSA Alien Flight Training rules for foreign national.
q Pre-Solo Aeronautical Knowledge Test Endorsement – Certifies successful completion of pre-solo written test per 61.87.
q Pre-Solo Flight Training Endorsement – Your initial solo endorsement for a make & model.
q Initial and Subsequent Solo 90-Day Currency Endorsements – Your solo currency must be up-to-date for the checkride
q Initial Solo Cross Country Endorsement – This certifies your approval to make cross country flights in a make & model.
q Solo Cross Country Endorsements – This certifies that your CFI checked your pre-flight planning before your solo cross country flight(s).
And, finally…
q Any Student Pilot Specific Endorsements Necessary for the Checkride – i.e. a class B or XC endorsement if the checkride will be conducted at an airport requiring one.