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Assessment of Flight Test Performance

The "Performance Criteria" section of each flight test item prescribes the marking criteria. These criteria assume no unusual circumstances as well as operation of the aircraft in accordance with published SOPs, owner/operator’s checklists, the manufacturer’s recommended speeds and configurations in the POH/AFM or other approved data based on the certification standard of the aircraft used for the test.

Throughout the flight test, the candidate is evaluated on the use of an appropriate checklist. Proper use is dependent on the specific task being evaluated. The situation may be such that the use of the written checklist, while accomplishing the elements of an “Aim”, would be either unsafe or impractical. In this case, a review of the checklist after the elements have been accomplished would be appropriate. Division of attention and proper visual scanning should be considered when using a checklist.

Consideration will be given to unavoidable deviations from the published criteria due to weather, traffic or other situations beyond the reasonable control of the candidate. To avoid the need to compensate for such situations, tests should be conducted under normal conditions whenever possible.

Whenever practicable, instrument rating flight-test flights should be filed on an IFR flight plan. In this way, the candidate can effectively demonstrate that he or she can interact realistically with the ATC system. If circumstances do not permit a filed IFR flight, the examiner will role-play as ATC, act as a safety pilot, coordinate with the ATC system and issue simulated clearances to the candidate. In either case, the candidate is expected to comply with the clearances whether issued by ATC or the examiner.

Date modified:
2011-02-23