So, You're Ready for the Practical Test. Now What?

Tony Verhulst AGI, CFI-G   Last Revision: 1/22

Your instructor has just told you that you are ready to take the private pilot practical (flight) test. Congratulations! You've come a long way but, now what?

First things first. Your instructor needs to make the proper endorsements in your logbook. These endorsements are your ticket to take the test. The FAA requires (FAR 61.39(a)(6)) that you must have logged "3 training flights in a glider with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test. These must have been performed within the 60 day period preceding the date of the test". Your instructor is also required to quiz you on the questions you missed on the knowledge test and log that accordingly (FAR 61.39(a)(6)(iii). Make sure that you have made these required dual flights and you have a signed logbook entries as follows:

I certify that -------------- has received the training time required within the preceding 60 days in preparation for the private pilot - glider practical test and find him/her  prepared for that test. He/she has demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of the subject areas found deficient on the private pilot aeronautical knowledge test.

The second endorsement certifies that you have been instructed in all required areas and will look something like this:

I certify that I have given ------------- the ground and flight training required by FAR 61.107(b)(6) and find him/her prepared for the private pilot practical test.

Again, the endorsements are valid for 60 days. If you don't take your test within that amount of time, you'll need another "sign off".

In addition, FAR 61.39(6) requires that your instructor review any knowledge test questions that you may have missed and endorse your log book accordingly.

You have to fill out your test application, FAA form 8710-1, See FAA Resources for details. The only exception is if your test takes place where internet service is not available. In that case a paper application will be used.

1.      Remember that a student pilot license is a real license so, in block M, where it asks for previous licenses held, enter "student" and not "none".

2.      In section III, Record of Pilot Time: A student pilot logs solo time as pilot in command time, but on the 8710-1 application solo time must still be recorded in order to qualify for the rating. Confused? In actuality, it's not that bad. For the purposes of the 8710-1 form, solo and PIC time can be considered to the same. Consider a hypothetical student pilot with 45 hours in his/her logbook 20 hours of it was with an instructor, and the other 25 was flying alone. Section III should be filled out as follows:

The advantage of the online IACRA application is that it's almost impossible to make mistakes. If you use a printed application, the examiner will scrutinize your application very carefully because he does not want to see it back in his mailbox with an Oklahoma City postmark on it. If a paper application is used, some instructors will give you a second 8710-1 with only the applicant's name, the rating sought, and his/her signature filled in just in case problems are encountered at the time of the exam and needs to be redone. Again, none of this is necessary if you use IACRA.

Next, make an appointment with the examiner. You are free to use any examiner of your choice if you don't mind traveling. Our local examiner will come to Sterling to administer the practical test:

Daryl Smith
690 Wrights Mill Road
Coventry, CT 06238
Cell = 860-428-6769
E-mail = AVPacer@Mindspring.com

Use the time until the appointment to bone up for the oral part of the exam. Your knowledge test results (which MUST have been taken within the past 2 years), has not only your score, but also codes that indicate knowledge areas in which you were deficient (unless you "aced" the test, of course). The examiner may orally test you in these areas to make sure that you now understand the material, but any question related to gliders and flying is fair game.

Show up for your exam at the appointed time And have your IACRA account number and password available, your logbook, your original (no photocopy) knowledge test score results, and a picture ID. Also have the logbook and manual for the aircraft in which you'll take the test. You will also need to pay the examiner (a check is fine). The typical fee for a private pilot practical test is about $300. After reviewing the paperwork, you will be given the oral exam, and then the actual flight exam.

When testing you, the examiner will use the Practical Test Standards (PTS). This is a document that contains all objectives to be covered on the exam. Of course, you will be very familiar with the PTS at this point in time because your instructor will have gone over it with you as part of your practical test preparation. You should have your own copy (extra brownie points if you have it with you at the time of the exam). A copy is available from the club (hard copy in the club house or online on the GBSC web page). It's also for sale from the Soaring Society of America (SSA), if you insist on spending real money.

I don't mean to make it sound like the process is more difficult than it really is, because it's not really that complicated. When your instructor signs you off to take the practical test, you are competent to take the test. Believe it! The point of this presentation is simply to make you familiar with the procedures, and to make you aware that, when dealing with any bureaucracy, crossing the ‘t’s and dotting the ‘i’s count.