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CFI Instrument Practical Test Standards, FAA-S-8081-9B, June 2001

II. Technical Subject Areas

C. Regulations and Publications Related to IFR Operations

    4. Practical Test Standards (PTS)
      a. Develped by the Flight Standards Service of the FAA to provide standards that shall be used in preparing for and conducting the practical tests required for an instrument rating on a pilot or instructor certificate and for instrument proficiency checks for all aircraft
      b. Content
        1) Instrument Rating Airplane PTS
          INTRODUCTION
            General Information
            Practical Test Standard Concept
            Practical Test Book Description
            Abbreviations
            Use of the Practical Test Standards
            Special Emphasis Areas
            Practical Test Prerequisites: Instrument Rating
            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
            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 Controls
            Emphasis on Attitude Instrument Flying and Emergency Instrument Procedures
            Rating Task Table
            APPLICANT'S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST
            EXAMINER'S PRACTICAL TEST CHECKLIST
          AREAS OF OPERATION
            I. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION
            II. PREFLIGHT PROCEDURES
            III. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CLEARANCES AND PROCEDURES
            IV. FLIGHT BY REFERENCE TO INSTRUMENTS
            V. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
            VI. INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURES
            VII. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
            VIII. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES
          APPENDIX 1
            TASK VS. SIMULATION DEVICE CREDIT
            USE OF CHART
            FLIGHT SIMULATION DEVICE LEVEL
        2) Fight Instructor Instrument Airplane
          INTRODUCTION
            General Information
            Practical Test Standard Concept
            Test Book Description
            Practical Test Standards Description
            Use of the Practical Test Standards
            Special Emphasis Areas
            Practical Test Prerequisites
            Aircraft and Equipment Required for the Practical Test
            Flight Instructor Responsibility
            Examiner Responsibility
            Satisfactory Performance
            Unsatisfactory Performance
            Emphasis on Attitude Instrument Flying and Parial Panel Skills
            Crew Resource Management (CRM)
            Applicant's Use of Checklists
            Use of Distractions During Practical Tests
            Positive Exchange of Controls
            Addition of an Instrument Rating to a Flight Instructor Certificate
            Renewal or Reinstatement of a Flight Instructor
          CHECKLISTS
            Applicant's Practical Test Checklist
            Examiner's Practical Test Checklist
          AREAS OF OPERATION
            I. FUNDAMENTALS OF INSTRUCTING
              A. The Learning Process
              B. Human Behavior and Effective Communication
              C. The Teaching Process
              D. Teaching Methods
              E. Critique and Evaluation
              F. Flight Instructor Characteristics and Responsibilities
              G. Planning Instructional Activity
            II. TECHNICAL SUBJECT AREAS
              A. Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment
              B. Aeromedical Factors
              C. Regulations and Publications Related to IFR Operations
              D. Logbook Entries Related to Instrument Instruction
            III. PREFLIGHT PREPARATION
              A. Weather Information
              B. Cross-Country Flight Planning
              C. Instrument Cockpit Check
            IV. PREFLIGHT LESSON ON A MANEUVER TO BE PERFORMED IN FLIGHT
              Maneuver
            V. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CLEARANCES AND PROCEDURES
              A. Air Traffic Control Clearances
              B. Compliance with Departure, En Route and Arrival Procedures and Clearances
            VI. FLIGHT BY REFERENCE TO INSTRUMENTS
              A. Straight-and-Level Flight
              B. Turns
              C. Change of Airspeed in Straight-and-Level and Turning Flight
              D. Constant Airspeed Climbs and Descents
              E. Constant Rate Climbs and Descents
              F. Timed Turns to Magnetic Compass Headings
              G. Steep Turns
              H. Recovery From Unusual Attitudes
            VII. NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
              A. Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs
              B. Holding Procedures
            VIII. INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURES
              A. Non-precision Instrument Approach
              B. Precision Instrument Approach
              C. Missed Approach
              D. Circling Approach
              E. Landing From a Straight-In Approach
            IX. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
              A. Loss of Communications
              B. Loss of Gyro Attitude and Heading Indicators
              C. Engine Failure During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns
              (D. Instrument Approach - One Engine Inoperative)
            X. POSTFLIGHT PROCEDURES
              Checking Instruments and Equipment
          APPENDIX 1 - TASK VS. SIMULATION DEVICE CREDIT
            Task vs simulation device credit
            Use of chart
            Flight simulation device level
      c. Widely available from several publishers and online d. The Airman Testing Standards Branch (of the FAA Flight Standards Service, Regulatory Support Division) plans, develops, and maintains materials related to airman certification training and testing, including airman knowledge and skill tests, computer testing supplements, knowledge test guides, practical test standards, training handbooks, and computer testing sites listing.
      e. Comments regarding the PTS should be sent to
        US Dept of Transportation
        FAA
        Flight Standards Service
        Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS630
        P.O. Box 25082
        Oklahoma City, OK 73125

Greg Gordon MD, CFII
Updated: