Private Pilot Oral Exam Guide

What are the eligibility requirements for a private pilot

Be at least 17, be able to read/speak/write english, hold at least third class medical, receive the required ground and flight training endorsements, meet applicable aeronautical experience requirements, pass the required knowledge and practical tests

Category of A/C

A broad classification of aircraft e.g. airplane, rotorcraft, glider

Class of A/C

A classification of aircraft within the category having similar operating characteristics e.g. single or multi-engine

Tyoe (type rating) of A/C

A specific make and basic model of aircraft including modifications that do not change its handling or flight characteristics e.g Boing 737, King Air 350,

Are you required to log all your flights?

No, You are only required to document and record the training and aeronautical experience used to meet the requirements for a certificate, rating, or flight review and the aeronatuical experience required for meeting the recent flight experience requirements. However, a best practice is to log all of your flights to show continued proficiency, potentially to meet insurance requirements, and in the event that you need those flights to help you remain current

What must a pilot due to regain currency if their flight review was more then 24 months in the past?

Must complete a new flight review, including at least one hour of ground instruction and one hour of flight conducted by a CFI. The instructor will assess the pilots knowledge of airspace, procedures, and regulations. Until this is met the pilot cannot serve as PIC.

Are there any other activities a pilot can accomplish that can substitute for a flight review?

Yes! Earning a new certification or rating (instrument, commercial), participating in FAA WINGS program which involves completing specific knowledge and flight activities tailored to enhance safety

Explain being Current

Accomplished the minimum FAA regulatory requirements within a specific time period and can exercise the privileges of their certificate. It means the pilot is legal to make the flight, but it does not necessary mean they are proficient or competent to make it.

Explain being Proficient 

A pilot is capable of conducting a flight with a high degree of competence. it requires that the pilot have a wide range of knowledge and skills. Being proficient is not just about the legal in terms of the regulations, but also about being smart and safe in terms of pilot experience and proficiency. 

How will establishing a personal minimums checklist help a pilot reduce risk?

Pre-established numbers can make it a lot easier to come to a smart go/ no-go decision than would the vague sense that you can probably deal with the conditions you face at any given time. A written set of personal minimums also makes it easier to explain cancelation or diversions.

The airplane you normally rent has been grounded due to intermittent electrical problems. Your scheduled in a different plane with unfamiliar avionics. Should you depart on your VFR flight?

Pilot familiarity with all equipment is critical in optimizing both safety and efficiency. If a pilot is unfamiliar with any aircraft system this will add to the pilot workload reducing situational awareness. A pilot should look upon unfamiliarity within the aircraft and its systems as a risk control measure with a hazard of high-risk potential. Discipline is the key to success.

If a pilots permenant mailing adress changes, and they fail to notify the FAA of the new adress, how long may the pilot continue to exercises the priviledges of a pilot certificate?

30 days after the date of the move

What flight time can a pilot log as second in command time?

A person may log SIC time only during flight which that person

is qualified in accordance with the SIC requirements of 14 CFR 61.55 and occupies a crew member station in an aircraft that requires more than one pilot by the aircrafts type certificate

holds the appropriate category, class, and instrument rating (if a class or instrument rating is required) for the aircraft being flown, and the type certification of the aircraft or the regualtions under which the flight is being conducted requires more than one pilot

PAVE Acronym

P- (Pilot) assessessing physical, mental and emotional readiness to fly.

A- (Aircraft) whether the aircraft is suitable and properly configured for flight.

V- (Environment) Focuses on weather, terrain, and other external conditions.

E- (External Pressures) this relatiing to time constraints, passenger demands or personnal commitments that might influence decision-making

What privileges and limitations apply to a private pilot?

No Private pilot may act as PIC for passengers or property for compensation or hire. 

A private pilot: May not pay less than pro rata share of the operating expenses of a flight with passengers

May act as PIC of a charitable, nonprofit or community. 

May act as PIC of an aircraft towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle, provided they meet requirements 

May act as PIC for the purpose of conducting a production flight test in a light-sport aircraft intended for certification in the light-sport category 

Explain: A private pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of a flight 

Pro rata means proportional. The pilot may not pay less than a proportional share of the operating expenses of a flight with passengers, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures or rental fees

The annual inspection for your aircraft is now due, and you ask several friends that you fly with regularly to contribute money to help you pay for the inspection. Do the regulations allow for these contributions?

No. A private pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of a flight with passengers. 

To act as a required pilot flight crew member of a civil aircraft, what must a pilot have in their physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft?

A pilot certificate (or special purpose pilot authorization) 

a Photo ID 

A medical certificate 

While you are performing a preflight inspection on your aircraft, an inspector from the FAA introduces themself and says they want to conduct a ramp inspection. What docs are you required to show the inspector?

Each person who holds a pilot certificate, a medical certificate, and their photo ID for inspection upon a request from the administrator or any authority of the TSA, NTSB or federal, state, local law.

Definition of a High Performance A/C

A __ A/C is one with an engine of more than 200 horsepower. 

To act as PIC of an High Performance A/C

-Received and logged ground and flight training from an authorized instructor

-receive and logged a one -time endorsement in your logbook from an authorized instructor who certifies you are proficient to operate said A/C

Scenario: You are flying in a single-engine, high performance complex airplane. You hold a PPL with an A/C single engine land rating, but you do not have a high-performance or complex A/C endorsement. Your friend, who has those endorsements is acting as PIC for the flight. Can you log PIC time for the time you act as sole manipulator of the controls? Explain

Yes 14 CFR &61.51 governs the logging of PIC time and states that a sport, recreational, private, commercial or ATP may log PIC time for the time during which the pilot rated, or has privileges

Definition of a complex A/C

A __ is defined as an airplane that has retractable landing gear, flaps, and controllable-pitch propeller, including airplanes equipped with a full-authority digital engine control (FADEC)

How to act as PIC of complex A/C

-received and logged ground and flight training from an authorized instructor

-received a one-time endorsement in logbook

To operate a tailwheel A/C, what training must a pilot do?

The person has received and logged flight training from instructor and received endorsement from said instructor in that type of A/C

When would a pilot require specific training and endorsement with regard to flying at higher altitudes?

No person may act as PIC of a pressurized A/C that has a (manufacturer designnated) service ceiling or maximum operating altitude (whichever is lower) above 25000 feet MSL unless that person has completed ground and flight training

What regulatory requirements must be met prior to a pilot acting as PIC of an A/C towing a glider?

To act as PIC of an A/C towing a glider, a pilot must meet the requirements outlined in 14 CFR $ 61.69. These include holding at least 100 hours of PIC time in the A/C category and class required. The pilot must additionally receive ground and flight training from instructor and must perform three actual or simulated glider tows in the preceding 12 months while accompanied by a qualified pilot or as PIC.

Can you accept payment from a friend to fly package?

As a PPL you cannot accept payment to fly a package or passengers as it would violate 14 CFR &61.113 states a PPL may not act as PIC for compensation or hire.

Can you fly the friend with the package?

When flying the friend you can share pro-rata expenses of the flight which means the costs of fuel, oil , airport fees or rental fees must be equally shared among all occupants including yourself.

To exercise privileges of PPL what medical certificate is required and how long is it valid for?

Must hold at least a 3rd class medical. The medical certificate expires at the end of the last day of: 

-The 60th month after the month of the examination shown on the certificate, if on the date of your most recent medical examination, you were under the age of 40. 

-the 24th month after the examination shown on the certificate, if on the date of your most recent medical examination, you were over the age of 40. 

What can a pilot do if they develop a condition that prevents them from obtaining a medical certificate?

At the discretion of the Federal Air Surgeon, a statement of demonstrated ability (SODA) may be granted, instead of an authorization, to a person whose disqualifying condition is static or non-progressive and who has been found capable of performing pilot duties.

Your allergies are acting up, should you go fly?

Safest rule is not to take any meds while flying, if there is any doubt of capability flying consult an aircraft medical examiner (AME) before flight

Where can you find a list of medical conditions that may disqualify you from obtaining a medical certificate?

standards for medical are contained in 14 CFR part 67 and requirements for obtaining medical certificates can be found in part 61.

What requirements must be met to fly under BasicMED?

• Hold current and valid U.S. drivers license 

• hold or have held a valid medical by the FAA on or after July 14, 2006

• get physical by any state licensed physician and have that physician complete the CMEC every 4 yrs 

• take a basic med online medical education course every 24 months , and keep completion course doc 

Priviledges and limitations apply when flying under BasicMed?

• fly with no more then 6 passengers

• fly an A/C that has a max takeoff weight of not more than 12500

• fly A/C that is authorized to carry no more than 7 occupants

• flights within the united states at an indicated airspeed of 250 knots or less and at an altitude at or below 18000 MSL

• may not fly for comp or hire

What is required to maintain basicmed priviledge?

• Have CMEC on you and within last 48 months 

• Treated by physician for medical conditions that affect safety of flight 

• be sure you have course completion certificate that was issued by basicmed in the last 24 months

If a private pilot does not have a current medical certificate (but has not been denied one), and they have not completed the requirements for basicmed, may they operate as PIC of any A/C?

If a Private Pilot does not have a current medical but has not been denied, and has not completed the requirements for basicmed, they may still operate as a sport pilot. A sport pilot is not required to hold a valid medical but drivers license.

General medical conditions that are temp disqualifiers

• acute infections

• anemia

• peptic ulcers

IMSAFE

• Illness

• Medications

• Stress

• Alcohol

• Fatigue

• Emotion

When must a pilot report suspension of driving priviledges under the influence of alcohol (DWI/DUI) or drug use?

They must make these notifications within 60 days.

The report must be written to the FAA security and investigation division.

Additionally the pilot must disclose any alcohol or drug related conviction on FAA form 8500-8

If an inflight emergency requires immediate action by the pilot, what authority and responsibilities does the pilot have?

• the PIC is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to the operation of the A/C

• if an inflight emergency requires immediate action the PIC may deviate from any rule in the part 91 to meet the emergency

• Each PIC who deviates from part 91 rule shall upon request from administrator send a written report.

Under what conditions can an object be dropped from an A/C?

No PIC of an A/C may allow an object to be dropped from that A/C that creates a hazard. However, this section does not prohib the dropping of any object if precautions are made.