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General - Pre-Flight Briefing

Please note: Sections that are highlighted in Yellow indicate new topic areas or important changes in criteria or policy.
Please note: Sections that are highlighted in Yellow indicate new topic areas or important changes in criteria or policy.

Pilot examiners are required to brief test candidates on the following details:

  1. The sequence of flight test items. There is no need for the candidate to memorize this sequence, as the examiner will give instructions for each item.

  2. If in doubt - Ask! Candidates who do not clearly understand what they are being asked to do should feel free to ask. It may be that the examiner was not clear in giving instructions.

  3. Who is pilot-in-command? The pilot-in-command should be the flight test candidate and, if the examiner is a Transport Canada employee, it will always be the flight test candidate.

  4. The roles of the candidate and examiner in the event of an actual emergency? A briefing by the examiner should detail the actions to be taken by the candidate and examiner in the event of an actual emergency.

  5. How to transfer control. There should never be any doubt as to who is flying the aircraft, so transfer of control using phrases such as “You have control” and “I have control” is expected during a flight test. A visual check is recommended to verify that the exchange has occurred.

  6. Ground References. For the short or soft field approach and landing, the examiner will clearly specify the simulated surface conditions, obstacles on approach, runway threshold and length of surface available to the candidate. The candidate will specify the intended touchdown zones and specific touchdown points.

  7. Method of simulating emergencies. What method will be used? Verbal? Engine failures will only be simulated in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations or, in their absence, by closing the throttle or by reducing power to flight idle. The moving of the mixture control to idle cut-off will only be used where specifically recommended by the manufacturer. The practice of closing a fuel valve, shutting off magneto switches or the pulling of circuit breakers will not be used during a flight test.

    Electronic flight display failures may be simulated in accordance with the manufacturer’s Guide for DPEs and CFIs or POH/AFM Supplements as appropriate to the aircraft type.
Date modified:
2010-05-20