Example

Using the ACS for Scenario-Based Evaluation

You have scheduled an applicant for a Private Pilot ASEL practical test. During your initial
contact with the applicant (or recommending instructor), you request a copy of the applicant’s
airman knowledge test report (AKTR).

Upon reviewing the AKTR, you note that it lists the following Learning Statement Code:
PLT377 (Recall Regulations – airworthiness certificates, requirements, responsibilities).

For each Task, the ACS requires you to test at least one Knowledge element, at least one
Risk Management element, and all Skill elements. As with the PTS, however, the ACS gives you
the discretion to test additional Task elements as necessary.

Using the ACS to develop your Plan of Action (POA) for the practical test, you review the
Airworthiness Requirements Task (see below). Based on the information in the AKTR, you note
that you will definitely need to retest the applicant on Knowledge Task element PA.I.B.K4. This
selection satisfies the minimum requirement.

Task B. Airworthiness Requirements

Reference 14 CFR parts 39, 43, 91; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-25
Objective To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, skills
and risk management associated with airworthiness requirements,
including aircraft certificates.
Knowledge The applicant demonstrates understanding of:

PA.I.B.K1 1. General airworthiness requirements and compliance for airplanes.

PA.I.B.K1a a. Certificate location and expiration dates
PA.I.B.K1b b. Required inspections.
PA.I.B.K1c c. Inspection requirements
PA.I.B.K2 2. Individuals who can perform maintenance on the aircraft, including
A&P and IA roles in aircraft maintenance and inspections.
PA.I.B.K3 3. Pilot-performed preventive maintenance.
PA.I.B.K4 4. Equipment requirements for day and night flight for example: flying
with inoperative equipment (approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL),
Kinds of Operation Equipment List (KOEL), VFR and placards.
PA.I.B.K5 5. Proving airworthiness (specifics of the aircraft–compliance with
Airworthiness Directives (AD) or applicability of Safety Bulletins
(SB)).
PA.I.B.K6 6. Obtaining a special flight permit.
PA.I.B.K7 7. Experimental aircraft airworthiness.
PA.I.B.K8 8. Equipment malfunctions.

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 In accordance with the ACS requirement to test at least one Risk Management element
in each Task, you look over the three Risk Management elements for this Task and you select
PA.I.B.R1, inoperative equipment.

Risk The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate
Management risks, encompassing:
PA.I.B.R1 1. Inoperative equipment.
PA.I.B.R2 2. Equipment failure during flight.
PA.I.B.R3 3. Discrepancy records or placards.

Next, you review and note the requirement to test all Skill elements.

Skills The applicant demonstrates the ability to:

PA.I.B.S1 1. Locate aircraft airworthiness information.
PA.I.B.S2 2. Determine the aircraft is airworthy in a scenario given by the
evaluator.
PA.I.B.S3 3. Explain conditions where flight can be made with inoperative
equipment.
PA.I.B.S4 4. Explain requirements for obtaining and flying with a Special Flight
Permit.
PA.I.B.S5 5. Locate and explain operating limitations, placards, instrument markings,
POH/AFM, weight and balance data, and equipment list.

In your initial contact with the applicant, you provide an overall scenario for the
practical test and ask the applicant to plan accordingly. The scenario for this test:
You are taking your mother, father and grandmother to a wedding in Palm
Springs, CA. The flight begins in the afternoon, and you will be returning that
night. Your mother weighs 145 pounds, your father weighs 195 pounds and your
grandmother weighs 115 pounds. Since it is a day trip, there is no luggage. But
your parents are bringing the wedding gift, which is a 50-pound set of dishes.

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 On the day of the test, you administer the pre-test briefing and determine that the
applicant is eligible to take the practical test.
Once the test has begun, you start with Area of Operation I, Task A, Pilot Qualifications.
To the greatest possible extent, you frame your questions on the Knowledge and Risk
Management elements you have selected for each Task in accordance with the overall scenario
of a flight to attend the wedding. The evaluation of each element is complete when the
applicant demonstrates a good understanding of airman documents and identification required
when exercising private pilot privileges. You use follow-up questions as necessary and, as stated
already, you have the discretion to evaluate additional Task elements as needed.
As you move into Task B, you add to the overall scenario as follows:
During your preflight, an FAA aviation safety inspector (ASI) introduces himself
and says he wants to conduct a ramp inspection. After checking your pilot and
medical certificates, the ASI asks how you determined that the airplane was in an
airworthy condition.
This scenario should prompt the applicant to explain aircraft documents required to be
on board the aircraft, and possibly the status sheet, demonstrating compliance with required
inspections. This explanation allows you to evaluate the first Skills element, and you ask
additional questions to assess the applicant’s grasp of the others.
You then use a “trigger event” to build on the scenario and continue your evaluation:
The FAA inspector is satisfied. He shakes your hand, and moves to the next airplane. You
continue your preflight. You turn the master switch on, turn on all the external lights,
and perform a walk-around. You notice that the landing light is inoperative. Now what?
The trigger event allows you to evaluate Knowledge Task element PA.I.B.K4, because it
requires the applicant to explain whether it is legal to take the flight with a landing light
inoperative, and how to properly defer this item. The applicant may refer to 14 CFR part 91, §
91.213, and the discussion must cover equipment requirements for day/night VFR/IFR flight,
along with the proper deferral of inoperative equipment and placard installation.
The applicant should explain that since the flight is not for compensation, he may legally
defer it. This point leads to evaluation of the Risk Management element you selected earlier,
PA.I.B.R1. Perception of risk depends on many factors, and it is obviously not the same for
every pilot. What you are looking for is the applicant’s analysis of how the selected Risk
Management element affects his or her own situation. In this instance, you might look for the
applicant to explain that the risk of conducting a night flight with family on board is higher for a
newly certificated pilot. The applicant could mitigate this risk by arranging to have the landing
light replaced before departure, or (if repair facilities are available) having it replaced at the
destination airport while the family is attending the wedding. Other responses may also be

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acceptable – again, the point is for the applicant to demonstrate that he or she has identified,
evaluated, and mitigated the risk in the context of the proposed operation.
Using your Plan of Action and the scenario you developed, you have now covered the
required ACS Knowledge, Risk Management, and Skill elements for this Task.
You continue to use the wedding trip scenario as you work through the remaining
ground and flight portions of the practical test. The wedding trip scenario clearly lends itself to
testing Tasks in some Areas of Operation (e.g., Navigation, Landings). As an example of how to
extend it to other Areas of Operation, such as Performance Maneuvers, you might use another
trigger event:
As you fly toward your destination, you offer to make a slight diversion from your route
so your parents can see their house from the air. Your mother is excited to see her house
from the air, and she asks if you can descend and circle so she can take pictures.
You can use this trigger to evaluate the applicant on the Ground Reference Maneuvers
Task. To evaluate Tasks in the Emergency Operations AOO, use a trigger event such as an
electrical or other system malfunction.
If it is not possible or practical to incorporate every Task into the scenario, you may
suspend the scenario to perform those maneuvers and then continue.
For more information, refer to 8900.1 Volume 5, Chapter 2, Section 1, Paragraph 5-219
item C.

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ACS Plan of Action Scenario Triggers
EVENT PASSENGER PILOT/AIRCRAFT WEATHER
Job Interview Shows up Late
Family Emergency FAA Ramp Check Turbulence
Recently Scuba Diving
Family Illness/Surgery Brings Extra Luggage A/C Registration Expired Strong Head Winds Aloft
Birth-Child/Grandchild Brings Pet Weight and Balance Docs Missing Strong Surface Wind/Crosswind
Medical Appointment Arrives Drinking/ Drunk Radio Station License Missing Thunderstorms
Wedding Lied about Weight-(Exceeds Pilot Medical Expired Lightning
Weight & Balance Limits) Photo ID Expired Hail
Funeral
Gets Airsick/Throws Up Pilot Certificate at Home Dust Storms
Graduation Gets Hypoxic A/C Documents-Missing Snow
Family Reunion Hyperventilates VOR check out of date Fog
Concert Ear Block/Sinus Block Autopilot operating manual Low Visibility
Afraid missing Lowering Ceiling
Vacation
Catch Airline Flight Hysterical A.D.s not signed off at inspection Icing Conditions
Return To College Needs Restroom Pilot has not flown in four months Freezing Rain
Sporting Event Uses Cell Phone in Flight Pilot has not flown in three years Weather in Class D goes to 2 SM
Job Presentation Wants to Land & Get Off the A/C Pilot has not carried passengers in Operating Above 10,000’ MSL
Birthday Party
Baptism/Christening Immediately three months Fast Moving Cold Front
Camping Trip Wants to Fly Airplane Pilot left his logbook at home Approaching
Beach Week-End Crying Baby Aboard Aircraft is “Out of Annual’ Before Stalled Warm Front
Lunch With Boss Return From Cross Country High Pressure Area
Dinner With Boss Low Pressure Area
Engagement Party Pilot is Blinded by Passenger Cell
Surprise Party Phone Picture Flash on Landing Operating in Temperatures 20°C
Christmas Dinner Above Standard
Thanksgiving Dinners Operating in Temperatures 20°C
Skiing Week-End Below
Rock Climbing Event Standard
River Rafting Event High Density Altitude
Hunting Trip
Smoke in the Area
Fishing Trip
Fly-In With Friends
Aviation Safety Presentation
Aviation Conference
Flight to Oshkosh for Air Venture
Meeting In-laws for First Time
College Scholarship Meeting
Returning to College
Returning for Military Duty

courtesy of ACS Working Group

ACS Plan of Action Scenario Triggers
AIRPORT OPERATIONS MECHANICAL MECHANICAL CONT’D INSTRUMENT OPERATIONS
Taxi into taxiway light and damage Large Nick In Prop Blade Mags Runs Rough-Ground Ways of Coping with Loss of
prop Engine Failure On Take Off Mag Runs Rough-Flight Situational Awareness in Low
Visibility
Get Lost on Airport During Taxi Engine Failure Below 1,000’ Engine Runs Rough-Ground
Rotating Beacon is ON in Day Time Door Opens On Take-Off Engine Runs Rough-In Flight Both VORS fail the VOT test
Rotating Beacon is Door Opens In Flight Low Oil Pressure
Green/White/White Window Opens On Take-Off Low Oil Temp Alternate Airport has only RNAV
Rotating Beacon is White and Window Opens In Flight High Oil Pressure IAPs
Yellow Brakes Fail on Take-off High Oil Temp GPS Database Out of Date
ATC Gives an Unclear Instruction Glass Panel Fails High CHT
Alternate Airport has Nonstandard
Told to Land and Hold Short on Audio Panel Fails Oil On Cowling Minimums
Runway Pilot Seat Slips On Take Off Oil On Window
Landing After B757 Engine-Carb Ice Attitude Indicator Tumbles Full ILS Needle Deflection Occurs
Departing After B757 Engine Fire On Ground Low Vacuum Gauge Just Inside the Outer Marker
Landing/Departing Near Operating Engine Fire In Flight Portable Oxygen Bottle Low
Thick Fog is Present At Your
Helicopter Electrical Fire In Flight Radio Inoperative Destination Upon Arrival
Wind Shear on Landing Gear Won’t Extend Landing Light Inoperative
Taxiing into a Hotspot Area Gear Won’t Retract Battery Dead – Engine Won’t Start Lost-Com Occurs During an Icing
Operations at a Non-Towered No Gear Lights Heading Indicator Spins Encounter
Airport Navigation (Position) Light
The Wind Aloft is Much Stronger
Communications at a Non- Inoperative Than Forecast and Changes Some
Towered Cord Showing On Tire of the Factors of the IFR Flight
Airport
NORDO Aircraft Operations RAIM NOT AVAILABLE Message
Explain how the I M SAFE Checklist
Elevator Trim Fails applies to IFR Flight
Auto Pilot Fails
OTHER Glass Panel Fails Explain How the PAVE Checklist
TFR in area Audio Panel Fails Applies to IFR Flight
Flight into NOAA marine area on Pilot Seat Slides Back On Take Off
Coast Engine-Carb Ice RAIM NOT AVAILABLE Message
Engine Fire On Ground Received Outside Outer Marker
Flight into Wilderness area
Flight into Special Use Airspace Landing Light is Burned Out
RAIM NOT AVAILABLE Message
VFR Flight Into and Out of ADIZ ELT is inoperative
Received Inside Outer Marker
Interception by Military Aircraft Low Fuel
Lost Com with ATC – VFR Alternator Belt Breaks
Lost Com with ATC – IFR Ammeter Discharging
Trip into SFAR Area Low Voltage Light - On
Dual Alternator Failure

courtesy of ACS Working Group

Sample Evaluator’s Checklist for FAA Practical Test 1

Sample Evaluator’s Checklist for FAA Practical Test

FAA Practical Test Appointment

Date of Test Location:

Applicant Name
Address
Telephone
Email
School (Part 141?)
Instructor Name
Instructor Telephone
Practical Test Type
Retest? If yes, Notice of Disapproval
Aircraft Make/Model/Equipment Registration

Documentation
 Class and date of medical, if applicable (current?)
 Foreign student requirements; TSA; Letter of Verification of Authenticity
 Valid knowledge test results. Deficiencies reviewed?
 Aircraft - certificates, maintenance records, logbooks, and equipment
 IACRA Application (8710-1) completed and signed by instructor (if required)
 Special considerations - drug convictions, medical deficiencies
 Identification - photo/signature ID (current)
 Flight time records and requirements (mark required times and cross-countries)
 Required endorsements

Airman Certification Standards

 Familiar with the ACS?
 Which one/date do you have?

Practical Test Flight Planning

 Assign cross-country plan - location, time of departure (night?)
 Weight and balance computations
 Aircraft performance computations
 Flight planning facilities and weather briefing
 Review technology utilization (Advisory Circular) and information technology

Administrative
 Fee schedule and fee policy (must notify of fees before accepting application)
 Ask for FTN for IACRA (to review knowledge test report for Plan of Action)
 How to contact me

ACS Working Group

Sample Evaluator’s Checklist for FAA Practical Test 2

Establish Eligibility

 Welcome and make introductions

 Facilities overview
 Privacy, Exits
 Restrooms
 Water, snacks
 Telephones off
 Confirm type of practical test and if a retest
 Qualify the applicant
 Application (8710-1)
 Photo/signature Identification (Note type on 8710-1 and return)
 Airman Certificate
 Medical (note date and limitations)
 Foreign License and Letter of Verification of Authenticity (if applicable)
 Knowledge test results and review endorsement (if needed)
 Pilot logbook and/or training records
 Verify flight times and endorsements
 Applicant signs IACRA 8710
 Qualify the aircraft
 Review maintenance records per Order 8900.2
 Instrument or ATP current NavData
 Inoperative equipment

Pre-Test Briefing

 Current navigational charts and/or current NavData on Electronic Flight Bag

 Advise applicant that
 The test will be done in accordance with the FAA ACS(s) and FAA Order 8900.2
 Also will use Plan of Action (describe what it is)
 Will be taking notes during test for debriefing
 Note that perfection is not the standard
 Oral questioning will be continued throughout all portions of the test
 Three possible outcomes
 Temporary certificate
 Letter of discontinuance
 Conditions leading to letter of discontinuance
 Notice of disapproval
 Conditions leading to disapproval
 Any questions before we begin the test?
 Announce "test has begun"
Sample Evaluator’s Checklist for FAA Practical Test 3

Pre-Flight Briefing

 Brief flight profile (overall scenario)

 If in FSTD, it will be real-time as if in aircraft
 Applicant remains PIC under 14 CFR Part 61.47 during entire flight (discuss actual
instrument conditions)
 Simulated emergencies
 DPE action/announcement
 Engine failure - takeoff and landing
 Other emergencies
 Feathering
 Actual emergencies
 Engine failure
 Other emergencies
 Transfer of controls (brief me how it will be done)
 Collision avoidance (air and ground)
 Looking for reported and unreported traffic
 Clearing prior to maneuvering
 Primary responsibility
 Preflight duties
 Weight and balance
 Performance
 First flight of day
 VFR/IFR requirements
 Aircraft systems
 MEL
 Oral questions will continue throughout the test
 Focus on normal operations
 Exercise PIC authority at all times
 Testing with POA will continue IAW ACS (s)
 Will continue to take notes
 Continue/discontinue if task is unsatisfactory
 Any questions? Are you ready for the flight evaluation?
 Return aircraft documents to the aircraft
 Observe entire pre-flight preparation and pre-flight inspection (refer to overall
scenario and/or scenario triggers for topic questions)
Sample Evaluator’s Checklist for FAA Practical Test 4

Post-Test Briefing (Debriefing)

 Ensure that applicant is debriefed in private. (Encourage the recommending

instructor to be present)
 Reaffirm the outcome of the test
 Use notes taken to debrief performance (Highlight areas that were above standard)
 Satisfactory practical test outcome
 Complete paperwork
 Have the airman sign the temporary certificate
 Advise that temporary is valid for 120 days
 What to do if certificate is not received
 Offer to sign airman’s logbook
 Unsatisfactory practical test outcome
 Allow the applicant time alone while paperwork is completed
 Use the ACS to explain reasons for disapproval
 Advise the applicant of timeframe to retest and to keep the Notice of
Disapproval
 Return the knowledge test to the airman (if applicable)
 Offer to sign the airman’s logbook (not required)
 Letter of Discontinuance
 Review items that need to be completed
 Return the knowledge test to the airman (if applicable)
 Advise timeframe to retest and to keep Letter of Discontinuance
 Offer to sign the airman’s logbook