SPORT, PRIVATE, AND COMMERCIAL PILOT

Preplan a VFR flight using a Navigation Log from departure airport to one of the following airports, a return flight plan is not needed. If departing from CHD,   IWA,  GEU, or GYR  plan a flight  to  the  SW  at  least  200NM STRAIGHT  LINE  DISTANCE. Only one way is required. You do not need to plan a return flight. You should be able to plan this flight without a fuel stop. Plan a departure time 2 hours after the test start time. If departing from SDL, FFZ, or DVT plan somewhere NE at least 200NM STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE(these do not apply to IR tests-see IR page). If this is a Private test, and you do not have a Bravo airspace endorsement do not plan a flight through Bravo airspace.  If your airport is not listed above plan a flight that is at  least 200NM STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE. This does not mean your flight plan is required to be a straight line.  

The ACS requires you to demonstrate the ability to calculate your own navigation log. If you use electronic navigation software be prepared to demonstrate how those numbers were calculated. If you use an electronic flight bag(EFB), ensure all charts are current. If you use an EFB as a primary source of navigation and your charts are out of date it will result in a failure. Have a plan if your electronic device fails (ie paper charts/approach plates or secondary electronic device such as a phone) especially in the summer months. An IPAD overheating is not a valid reason to discontinue an examination 

Practical Test Prep Recommendations:

Prepare all required preflight preparation items per 91.103 based on actual weather for the proposed flight time. The ground portion is always completed first. Plan on a departure time 2 hours after the start of your scheduled  test. 

Generate at least one preflight weather briefing to discuss.  Acquire a legal briefing from AviationWeather.gov, https://www.1800wxbrief.com , or other sites like Foreflight. Please have an electronic or printed briefing packet prepared for efficient test discussion. If you print your information, do not print an entire weather briefing. Print the information that you personally utilize and are prepared to discuss. Ensure  you  are  reviewing  weather  that  applies  to  the  scenario  you  are  planning  for with the  departure  time  instructed  above.   Showing me  a  chart  that  does  not  apply  to  our  planned  flight  times demonstrates  a lack  of  understanding.  Be  prepared  to  tell  me  if  you  would  have  a  go  or  no-go  decision  based  off  the  weather  you  reviewed for  the  planned  flight.  File the flight plan electronically or with a briefer and be prepared to open in flight.  Approved methods of filing a flight plan can be found here. Although not required, I highly recommend you call a weather briefer prior to your test. I'm finding more and more students have never talked to a briefer. You are paying a lot of money for this test and if it was me, I would want to make sure my i's were dotted and my t's were crossed. A briefer might point something out to you that you missed. 

Precalculate all performance data required for the flight. Base all calculations on the actual real-time weather at the time of testing. Use my weight of 200 lbs in your weight and balance calculations. I will also have a 10lb bag. Be very familiar with the aircraft maintenance logs and prepared to determine airworthiness.   Bring a list of each inspection completion date/time and next due date/time. Pictures are okay, however if available I prefer the actual maintenance documents. It will help you to tab the inspections. I've often watched nervous students take 20-30 minutes finding the most recent annual. You are demonstrating proficiency with determining airworthiness since this is something you should be checking every flight. 

Reference your written test report and type or hand write the corresponding subject codes for your missed questions from the ACS on one piece of paper.  You  can  utilize  this  website  to  decipher  the  codes  at ACSCODES.COM  or  use  your  ACS.  Do not only write the codes down(your test does that), you are demonstrating to me you know what the codes mean. This is a copy for my records and needs to be a document I can keep. Please condense to a single piece of paper(DO NOT simply highlight the codes in the ACS). Include your FTN number on the document. You can find the FTN number on your written test or in IACRA.  I am required to ask you every missed question from the written test. Your instructor is required to review the missed subjects with you and endorse your log book validating this has been done. This additional instruction is required to be logged as well. It is in your best interest to not show up for the test being unfamiliar with the questions you missed on the written.. You can obtain a copy of the appropriate ACS by clicking here.  
 

Make sure you have your pilot certificate, government ID, current medical, and log book with associated endorsements. If applicable bring completed 141 course graduation certificate. You can save some time during the test and review the pilot bill of rights found here. When we meet, you will be signing that you have read it. Have your IACRA login information available for the test. You will have to login at least once to finalize your application. Make sure you review my fee and cancellation policy HERE.  In rare cases a test can not begin because the applicant is not qualified. It is your responsibility to ensure you are qualified for the test you are taking. This is TASK A in the ACS -CA.I.A.K1 Certification requirements, recent flight experience, and recordkeeping. Work with your CFI and review applicable regulations to ensure you are qualified. Unfortunately I will still have to charge you the full fee even if we can not begin the test. If the aircraft is available prior  to us starting the test please have the preflight conducted prior to our scheduled start time. This allows you to discover any potential problems with the aircraft early so there is time to get it fixed if we fly. Otherwise a delay may result in having to discontinue the test due to me having other checks scheduled.  

Common Errors

• Applicant is unfamiliar with the ACS or has never looked at the ACS. Every question I ask you comes directly from the ACS.  REVIEW THE ACS!  
• Surprisingly  stall  and  spin  awareness is  often  an  area  of  weakness  even at  the  commercial  level.   If  you  do  not  meet  the  ACS  standards of knowledge  for  this  subject an  UNSAT  is  likely.  Advisory Circular 61-67C  is  a  great  reference.  
• Expectation Bias-As a low time pilot there are a lot of situations you have not encountered. Make sure you pay attention to ATC clearances ie Fly Straight out vs Make Right Traffic
• Not properly scanning for traffic or not making appropriate position calls 
• Do not land short of the intended touchdown point for a short field landing. 
• Become proficient at tracking and intercepting radials prior to the practical. This is an ACS requirement and often overlooked by instructors and students 
• I took the time to create this website for your benefit. Show me the  respect of following the instructions above. I often have applicants create flight plans that were not an option or fail to bring a printed or written copy of the corresponding ACS or PLT codes clearly outlined above. Let me reiterate, I do not want a full copy of the ACS, bring me a single sheet of paper with the proper subjects, not only the codes and your FTN number.  

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions regarding your test. I look forward to flying with you!