Prior to getting a Private Pilot license, the student pilot must go for a checkride with an FAA Examiner. The Practical Test Standards (PTS) are the minimum requirements that the student pilot must pass in order to earn his or her wings.

These are the notes that I took when talking to my flight instructor about the proper procedures for the PTS when using The Flying Club's Cessna-150 (N10089) while taking an FAA check ride.

This information will change for each aircraft and each instructor. If you were to fly, you would have to get this information from YOUR CFI for YOUR aircraft.

My Notes from conversations with Bill Oppermann about PTS Procedures:

Disclaimer of Warrantee: The author makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to any data or software in this product, including any warrantees of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall the author be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use of the data or software in this product.

ASEL - Practical Test Standards

Table of Contents

IV.

TAKEOFFS, LANDINGS, AND GO-AROUNDS

A

NORMAL AND CROSSWIND TAKEOFF AND CLIMB

B

NORMAL AND CROSSWIND APPROACH AND LANDING

C

SOFT-FIELD TAKEOFF AND CLIMB

D

SOFT-FIELD APPROACH AND LANDING

E

SHORT-FIELD TAKEOFF AND CLIMB

F

SHORT-FIELD APPROACH AND LANDING

G

FORWARD SLIP TO A LANDING

V.

PERFORMANCE MANEUVER

STEEP TURNS

VI.

GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVERS

A

RECTANGULAR COURSE

B

S-TURNS

C

TURNS AROUND A POINT

VIII.

SLOW FLIGHT AND STALLS

A

MANEUVERING DURING SLOW FLIGHT

B

POWER-OFF STALLS

C

POWER-ON STALLS

D

SPIN AWARENESS

IX.

BASIC INSTRUMENT MANEUVERS

E

RECOVERY FROM UNUSUAL FLIGHT ATTITUDES

X

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

A

EMERGENCY DESCENT

B

EMERGENCY APPROACH AND LANDING

1

Addendums

A

Glossary

B

Notes

IV.

TAKEOFFS, LANDINGS, AND GO-AROUNDS

---

A

NORMAL AND CROSSWIND TAKEOFF AND CLIMB
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Advance throttle smoothly to 'full open'

2)

Accelerate to 70 mph (Vy-5 kts) while maintaining proper aileron wind deflection and using pedals to keep pilot over centerline.

3)

Rotate A/C to Vy Attitude (Approx. End-Of-Runway over cowling)

4)

Maintain Vy Attitude until A/C lifts off.

5)

Maintain Vy pitch while allowing A/C to accelerate to Vy.

6)

Maintain pilot's position over extended R/W centerline. Allow A/C to 'weathervane' into crosswind after lift off. Don't bank even if you must look back.

---

B

NORMAL AND CROSSWIND APPROACH AND LANDING
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Be at TPA prior to downwind.

2)

Prior to turning downwind from 45 degree entry to downwind, have the A/C stabilized at 70* mph, at TPA and 10 degrees of flaps. (NOTE: The FAA inspector recommended 75 mph during crosswind touchdown - see notes, below).

3)

Be close enough to the R/W to land if the engine fails (~ 1/2 sm), and turn into wind if a crab angle is necessary to maintain ~1/2sm distance ('crab' to maintain 'square' pattern).

4)

Abeam the touch down point, reduce power to idle, apply Carb Heat, reduce pitch to maintain Air Speed.

5)

At 45 degrees off the touch down point, turn base leg while adjusting for wind velocity and AGL as appropriate.

6)

Set flaps to 20 degrees (if A/C not too low)

7)

Turn final so as to line up along R/W center line.

8)

Set up sideslip as required:

8a) Bank into the wind to maintain pilot's position over the extended R/W centerline, and use opposite rudder to align A/C's longitudinal axis parallel to R/W center line.

8b) Pitch down to maintain 70* mph (75 mph according to the FAA examiner).

9)

Add flaps as required to increase rate of descent (30 degrees).

9a) Empiracally adjust glide path target to select touch down point via power.

10)

Upon detection of G.E., begin flare (~20-30').

10a) Gently transition to nose high level flight at 1' AGL, power at idle.

10b) Keep the A/C flying 'til it stops (keep it flying at 1' AGL 'till it stalls).

10c) Keep nose wheel in the air until the yoke is in your lap (back to full stop).

11)

IFF short field landing, apply brakes.

---

C.

SOFT-FIELD TAKEOFF AND CLIMB
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Prepare the plane and yourself to be Ready For Takeoff immediately following runup:

1a) Deploy flaps to 10 degrees.

1b)

Adjust aircraft controls for wind direction.

1c)

Pull yoke back full to 'stop' during taxi.

1d)

Avoid use of brakes and dont stop rolling (unless absolutely necessary).

2) 'Clear the area' and taxi onto the R/W without stopping.

3)

Smoothly add power to Full Throttle (T.O. Level)

4)

Adjust yoke to maintain nose wheel off the ground, without dragging the tail.

5)

When plane lifts off, maintain A/C in G.E. (~ 4' AGL) until the A/C reaches Vy.

6)

Commence climb and maintain Vy +12/-6 mph (70-88 mph).

7)

Raise flaps after a positive rate of climb has been established.

8)

Maintain proper wind drift correction.

---

D.

SOFT-FIELD APPROACH AND LANDING (Smooth Air)
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

[Same as "NORMAL ..." (See B, above) except for #'s 9, 10 & 11]

1)

Be at TPA prior to downwind.

2)

Prior to turning downwind from 45 degree entry to downwind, have the A/C stabilized at 70* mph, at TPA and 10 degrees of flaps.

3)

Be close enough to the R/W to land if the engine fails (~ 1/2 sm), and turn into wind if a crab angle is necessary to maintain ~1/2sm distance ('crab' to maintain 'square' pattern).

4)

Abeam the touch down point, reduce power to idle, apply Carb Heat, reduce pitch to maintain Air Speed.

5)

At 45 degrees off the touch down point, turn base leg while adjusting for wind velocity and AGL as appropriate.

6)

Set flaps to 20 degrees (if A/C not too low)

7)

Turn final so as to line up along R/W center line.

8)

Set up sideslip as required:

8a) Bank into the wind to maintain pilot's position over the extended R/W centerline, and use opposite rudder to align A/C's longitudinal axis parallel to R/W center line.

8b) Pitch down to maintain 70* mph.

9)

Add full flaps as required to increase rate of descent (40 degrees.)

9a) Slow A/C to 60-65 mph.

9b) Adjust glide path target to select touch down point via power.

10)

Upon detection of G.E., begin flare (~20-30').

10a) Gently transition to nose high level flight at 1'AGL,
with very slight power.

10B) Use slight application of power to keep touch down mains
gentle and slow. (near VsO- full flap stall speed).

10C) Keep nose wheel in the air until yoke is 'in your
lap' (back to full stop) same as with Soft Field T.O.

11)

No Brakes!!! Taxi to parking w/ yoke 'in your lap'.

---

E.

SHORT-FIELD TAKEOFF AND CLIMB
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Set flaps (per POH) to 10 degrees (0 degrees for obstacle).

2)

Taxi into position and HOLD using ALL available R/W surface.

3)

Smoothly advance throttle to full while holding brakes.

4)

Release brakes when maximum RPM reached.

5)

Rotate at ~65 mph to Vx pitch attitude.

6)

Maintain Vx until lift off.

7)

Maintain Vx+12/-6 (65-82) climb speed until clear of obstacle or
until A/C is 50'AGL.
(allow A/C to weathervane into wind)

8)

Accelerate to Vy, establish Vy pitch attitude, and maintain
Vy+12/-5 (70-88mph) during climb.

9)

Retract flaps when a positive rate of climb established.

10)

Maintain winddrift correction and R/W centerline.

---

F.

SHORT-FIELD APPROACH AND LANDING
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

[Same as "NORMAL..." (See B, above) except for #'s 9&10]

1)

Be at TPA prior to downwind.

2)

Prior to turning downwind from 45 degree entry to downwind, have the A/C stabilized at 70* mph, at TPA, and with 10 degrees of flaps.

3)

Be close enough to the R/W to land if the engine fails (~ 1/2 sm), and turn into wind if a crab angle is necessary to maintain ~1/2sm distance ('crab' to maintain 'square' pattern).

4)

Abeam the touch down point, reduce power to idle, apply Carb Heat, reduce pitch to maintain Air Speed.

5)

At 45 degrees off the touch down point, turn base leg while adjusting for wind velocity and AGL as appropriate.

6)

Set flaps to 20 degrees (if A/C not too low)

7)

Turn final so as to line up along R/W center line.

8)

Set up sideslip as required:

8a) Bank into the wind to maintain pilot's position over the extended R/W centerline, and use opposite rudder to align A/C's longitudinal axis parallel to R/W center line.

8b) Pitch down to maintain 70* mph.

9)

Add Full flaps as required to increase rate of descent (40 degrees).

9a) Slow A/C to 60-65 mph.

9b) Adjust glide path target to select touch down point via power.

10)

Upon detection of G.E., begin flare (~20-30').

10a) Gently transition to nose high attitude and 0' AGL, with power at idle.

10b) Let nose down when mains touch down.

11)

Start FIRM breaking, while holding yoke back (don't hit prop on R/W).

11a) Retract flaps while breaking (get more weight on mains).

G.

FORWARD SLIP TO A LANDING
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Left (right) rudder to the floor.

2)

Right (left) bank to maintain A/C over R/W extended centerline.

3)

Pitch down to maintain appropriate A/S (70* mph).

---

H.

GO-AROUND
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Apply Full power.

2)

Maintain level pitch attitude.

3)

Retract flaps to 20 degrees.

4)

Slight nose high attitude to establish positive rate of climb.

5)

Retract flaps to 10 degrees when positive rate of climb established.

6)

Continue slight nose high attitude until positive rate of climb regained.

7)

Retract flaps to 0 degrees.

8)

Establish Vy pitch and A/S.

9)

Return to TPA.

V.

PERFORMANCE MANEUVER

---

STEEP TURNS
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Pick a reference point.

2)

Clear the area (just look, S turn NOT required)

3)

Enter maneuver at 100 mph (note RPM).

4)

Roll to 45 degree bank (be able to attain 45 degrees visually) (use attitude indicator ONLY to confirm bank)

5)

Pitch up to prevent loss of altitude.

6)

Smoothly increase throttle to Full power.

7)

Hold attitude until within 30 degrees of target heading (Begin roll out at 30 degrees of target)

8)

Gently roll out to wings level while bringing pitch down to level and power back to cruise. {Roll-Pitch-Power}

a) Begin Roll

b) Begin Pitch

c) Begin to reduce power

d) Complete ALL simultaneously

9)

Return to entry altitude +/-100', and A/S +/-12 mph.

VI.

GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVERS

---

A.

RECTANGULAR COURSE
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Select a ground reference point with an emergency landing field within power-off gliding range of maneuver altitude (800') {probably Mile Square park or Long Beach Harbor} and descend to 800' (if safe and legal).

2)

Enter on the 45 to Downwind the same as NORMAL APPROACH (Sec IV-B) [ 70 mph @ 10 degrees]

3)

Maintain wind correction (crab angle) along rectangle sides, banking as required at corners and applying power as necessary to maintain A/S and altitude.

4)

Exit at entry point as per Figure II at entry altitude +/-100' (700-900'), and A/S +/- 12 mph.

---

B.

S-TURNS
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Select a ground reference point with an emergency landing field within power-off gliding range of maneuver altitude (800') {probably Mile Square park or Long Beach Harbor} and descend to 800' (if safe and legal).

2)

Enter on the Downwind - 90 degrees to reference line for an initial Left Turn (See Fig III) of maximum bank angle.

3)

Maintain and smoothly vary wind correction bank angle along semicircle arcs applying power as required to maintain constant A/S and altitude.

4)

Reverse course as directed by examiner (There is ambiguity here. Is the course reversed so that a Left Turn is again used, or is the arc of the last semicircle continued about to the right such that the A/C exits the maneuver on the same heading as it entered? - assume the latter).

5)

Maintain and smoothly vary wind correction bank angle along semicircle arcs applying power as required to maintain constant A/S and altitude.

6)

Exit at entry point as per Figure III at entry altitude +/-100' (700-900'), and A/S +/- 12 mph.

---

C.

TURNS AROUND A POINT
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Select a ground reference point with an emergency landing field within power-off gliding range of maneuver altitude (800') {probably Mile Square park or Long Beach Harbor} and descend to 800' (if safe and legal).

2)

Enter on the Downwind at the point of maximum bank angle, such that the maximum bank angle shall be about 45 degrees, with an initial turn to the left (See Fig IVa).

3)

Maintain and smoothly vary wind correction bank angle along two full left turns (circles) applying power as required to maintain constant A/S +/- 12mph and altitude +/- 100'.

4)

Exit at entry point as per Figure IVa at entry altitude +/-100' (700-900'), and A/S +/- 12 mph.

5)

Reverse course as directed by examiner (See Figure IV).

6)

Maintain and smoothly vary wind correction bank angle along two full right turns (circles) applying power as required to maintain constant A/S +/- 12mph and altitude +/- 100'.

4)

Exit at entry point as per Figure IVb at entry altitude +/-100' (700-900'), and A/S +/- 12 mph.

VIII

SLOW FLIGHT AND STALLS

---

A.

MANEUVERING DURING SLOW FLIGHT
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Enter at Cruise speed - 'clear the area' (look only). Ensure that emergency landing area is within gliding range with specified flap settings.

2)

Reduce power to 2100 RPM.

3)

Pitch up to maintain altitude.

4)

When in white arc (~95 mph) deploy flaps to specified settings (30-40 degrees).

5)

Pitch down to maintain altitude.

6)

Reduce power to 1500 RPM.

7)

As A/S decays, pitch up to maintain altitude.

8)

Upon reaching 66 mph (1.2 Vs1) use pitch for speed, use power for altitude (below the power curve) to stabilize the A/C to +/- 100' and A/S +12/-5 (61-88) mph.

9)

For level flight, maintain bank <= 30 degrees+0/-10 (<= 20-30 degrees) For up/down flight, maintain bank <= 20 degrees+0/-10 (<= 10-20 degrees)

10)

Roll out on specified heading +/- 10 degrees, level off from climb/descent +/- 100'.

---

B.

POWER-OFF STALLS
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Select an altitude such that the A/C shall not descend below 1,500' AGL during the maneuver and do clearing S turns to 'clear the area'.

2)

Reduce power to 2100 RPM.

3)

Apply Carb Heat (Pull Carb Heat out)

4)

When in white arc (~95 mph) deploy flaps to 30 degrees [40?]

5)

Pitch down to maintain altitude, do not exceed 100 mph.

6)

Reduce power to idle.

7)

Pitch up to maintain altitude until A/C stalls. Maintain heading +/- 10 degrees or maintain bank <30 +0/-10 degrees. (call out stall indications as they occur)

8)

When A/C stalls, pitch down, level wings. Maintain heading +/- 10 degrees or maintain bank <30 +0/-10 degrees.

9)

Apply Full power.

10)

Maintain straight and level pitch attitude. --> Simultaneously

11)

Retract flaps to 20 degrees.

12)

Slight nose high attitude to establish positive rate of climb.

13)

Retract flaps to 10 degrees when positive rate of climb established.

14)

Continue slight nose high attitude until positive rate of climb

15)

Retract flaps to 0 degrees.

16)

Establish Vy pitch and A/S.

17)

Recover from stall within 100' of stall beginning, and +/- 10 degrees of heading (if applicable).

---

C.

POWER-ON STALLS
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Select an altitude such that the A/C shall not descend below 1,500' AGL during the maneuver and do clearing S turns to 'clear the area'.

2)

Reduce power to 1500 RPM.

3)

Apply Carb Heat (Pull Carb Heat out).

4)

At 60-70 mph, smoothly advance power to Full.

5)

Smoothly pitch up, stay below 45 degrees (if possible) until A/C stalls.

6)

Pitch down and level wings for straight and level flight.

7)

Apply full power (if applicable).

8)

Establish Vy, return to altitude, heading and A/S.

---

D.

SPIN AWARENESS
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

Spin Recovery

1)

Retard throttle ( and neutralize ailerons by letting go of yoke)

2)

Apply full rudder opposite to direction of rotation.

3)

After 1/4 turn pitch down in a brisk motion.

4)

As rotation stops, neutralize rudder.

5

Smoothly pitch up to level attitude from resulting dive.

6

Resume normal power setting.

IX.

BASIC INSTRUMENT MANEUVERS

A.

STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

B.

CONSTANT AIRSPEED CLIMBS
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

C.

CONSTANT AIRSPEED DESCENTS
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

D.

TURNS TO HEADINGS
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

---

E.

RECOVERY FROM UNUSUAL FLIGHT ATTITUDES
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

E-1

Recovery from a Nose High attitude

1)

Pitch forward

2)

Advance Power

3)

Level wings

E-2

Recovery from a Nose Down attitude

1)

Retard Power

2)

Level wings

3)

Gently pitch up to level attitude.

4)

Resume normal power setting

X.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

---

A.

EMERGENCY DESCENT
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

1)

Power to idle

2)

Pitch up to reduce A/S.

3)

At 95 mph (while in white arc) deploy flaps to 40 degrees.

4)

Pitch down to maintain 95 mph (stay in white arc).

---

B.

EMERGENCY APPROACH AND LANDING
for Cessna-150 (N10089)

Loss of engine power at altitude

1)

Carb Heat On.

2)

Establish best glide speed.

3)

Pick a landing site & direction.

4)

Fly directly to/over site.

5)

Squawk 7700.

6)

Call ATC on 121.5: Mayday.

7)

Confirm fuel valve on.

8)

Check mixture (enrichen).

9)

Adjust throttle/mixture.

10)

Check mags L/R/Both.

11)

Check primer locked.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Once Committed

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12)

Fuel Valve Off.

13)

Mixture Idle Cut Off.

14)

Throttle Closed.

15)

Mags Off.

16)

Leave Master On till flaps deployed as desired.

17)

Master Off

18)

Confirm seat belts and shoulder harness secure

19)

Unlatch doors and windows

Glossary

A/C

Aircraft

A/S

Airspeed

CFI

Certified Flight Instructor

GE

Ground Effect

mph

Statute Miles Per Hour

nm

Nautical Mile(s)

POH

Pilot's Operating Handbook: An aircraft's owner's manual

PTS

Practical Test Standards: An FAA document describing the private pilot's minimum flight skills requirements

R/W

Runway

sm

Statue Mile(s)

T.O.

Take Off

TPA

Traffic Pattern Altitude: The altitude at which airplanes must fly when in a partucular airports landing pattern

Vx

70 mph in N10089: Optimal climb speed per unit distance

Vy

76 mph in N10089: Optimal climb speed per unit time

70*

The FAA Examiner, during my checkride, recommended that, in order to maintain better control of the aircraft, I should add 5 mph to the approach speed if there is a crosswind or gusty conditions. Less flaps may be appropriate in these conditions, also. Use a 75 mph approach in gusty or crosswind conditions.