Preflight Preparation

Landing gear–extension/retraction system(s), indicators, float devices, brakes, antiskid, tires, nose- wheel steering, and shock absorbers.

Powerplant–controls and indications, induction system, carburetor and fuel injection, turbocharging, cooling, mounting points, turbine wheels, compressors, deicing, anti-icing, and other related components.

Propellers–type, controls, feathering/unfeathering, auto-feather, negative torque sensing, synchronizing, synchrophasing, and thrust reverse, including uncommanded reverse procedures.

Fuel system–capacity, drains, pumps, controls, indicators, cross-feeding, transferring, jettisoning, fuel grade, color and additives, fueling and defueling procedures, and fuel substitutions.

Oil system–capacity, allowable types of oil, quantities, and indicators.

Hydraulic system–capacity, pumps, pressure, reservoirs, allowable types of fluid, and regulators.

Electrical system–alternators, generators, batteries, circuit breakers and protection devices, controls, indicators, and external and auxiliary power sources and ratings.

Pneumatic and environmental systems–heating, cooling, ventilation, oxygen, pressurization, supply for ice protection systems, controls, indicators, and regulating devices.

Avionics and communications–autopilot, flight director, Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS), Flight Management System (FMS), Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), Radar, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Space-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS), ground-based navigation systems and components, Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) In and Out, Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C), traffic awareness/warning/avoidance systems, terrain awareness/ warning/alert systems, communication systems (e.g., data link, Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF)/High Frequency (HF), satellite), Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC), indicating devices, transponder, and emergency locator transmitter, Head Up-Display (HUD).

Ice protection–anti-ice, deice, pitot-static system protection, turbine inlet, propeller, windshield, airfoil surfaces, and other related components.

Crewmember and passenger equipment–oxygen system, survival gear, emergency exits, evacuation procedures and crew duties, quick donning oxygen mask for crewmembers, passenger oxygen system.

Flight controls–ailerons, elevator(s), rudder(s), control tabs, control boost/augmentation systems, flaps, spoilers, leading edge devices, speed brakes, stability augmentation system (e.g., yaw damper), and trim systems.

Pitot-static system–associated instruments and the power source for those flight instruments. Operation and power sources for other flight instruments.

Fire & smoke detection, protection, and suppression–powerplant, cargo and passenger compartments, lavatory, pneumatic and environmental, electrical/avionics, and batteries (on aircraft and personal electronic devices).

Envelope protection–angle of attack warning and protection, and speed protection.

The contents of the Pilot Owner's Handbook (POH) or Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) with regard to the systems and components in the airplane.

How to use a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) and a Configuration Deviation List (CDL).

Detection of system malfunctions or failures.

Management of a system failure.

Monitoring and management of automated systems.

Following checklists or procedures.

Explain and describe the operation of the aircraft systems and components using correct terminology.

Recall immediate action items or memory items, if appropriate.

Identify system or component limitations listed in the POH/AFM.

Demonstrate or describe, as appropriate, the process for deferring inoperative equipment (e.g., MEL) and using a CDL.

Comply with operations specifications, management specifications, and letters of authorization, if applicable.

Through the use of the appropriate checklists and normal and abnormal procedures, demonstrate the proper use of the aircraft systems, subsystems, and devices, as determined by the evaluator.

Elements related to performance and limitations by explaining the use of charts, tables, and data to determine performance.

How to determine the following, as applicable to the class sought:

a. Accelerate-stop / accelerate-go distance

b. Takeoff performance [e.g., balance field length and Velocity, Minimum Control (ground) (VMCG)]

c. Climb performance

d. Cruise performance (e.g., optimum and maximum operating altitudes)

e. Descent performance

f. Landing performance

g. Performance with an inoperative powerplant for all phases of flight (AMEL, AMES)

h. Weight and balance and how to shift weight

Factors affecting performance, including:

a. Atmospheric conditions

b. Pilot technique

c. Aircraft configuration (e.g., flap setting)

d. Airport environment (e.g., runway condition, land and hold short operations (LAHSO))

e. Loading (e.g., center of gravity)

f. Aircraft weight

Aerodynamics and how it relates to performance.

Adverse effects of exceeding an airplane limitation or the aircraft operating envelope.

Effects of icing on performance.

Clean wing concept; deicing and anti-icing procedures, including use of appropriate deice fluid, hold- over tables, calculating hold-over times, and pre-takeoff contamination checks.

Air carrier weight and balance systems (e.g., average weight program). Air Transport Pilot (ATP) (AMEL, AMES).

Runway assessment and condition reporting and use of the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM). (ATP)(AMEL, AMES).

Use of performance charts, tables, and data.

Airplane limitations.

Possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.

Airplane icing and its effect on performance and stall warning.

Runway excursions.

Describe the airspeeds used during specific phases of flight.

Describe the effects of meteorological conditions on performance for all phases of flight and correctly apply these factors to a specific chart, table, graph, or other performance data.

Describe the procedures for wing contamination recognition and any deice/anti-ice procedures prior to takeoff.

Explain the adverse effects of airframe icing during all phases of flight. Describe any operating limitations for flight in icing conditions. If equipped, describe the procedures for deicing and anti-icing system use and their effects on performance.

Compute weight and balance, including practical techniques to resolve out-of-limits calculations for a representative scenario, as specified by the evaluator.

Determine the computed center-of-gravity is within the acceptable limits and the lateral fuel balance is within limits for takeoff and landing.

Demonstrate proficient use of appropriate performance charts, tables, graphs, or other data to determine airplane performance and limitations for all phases of flight.

Sources of weather data (e.g., National Weather Service, Flight Service) for flight planning purposes.

Acceptable weather products and resources required for preflight planning, current and forecast weather for departure, en route, and arrival phases of flight such as:

a. Airport Observations (METAR and SPECI) and Pilot Observations (PIREP)

b. Surface Analysis Chart, Ceiling and Visibility Chart (CVA)

c. Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF)

d. Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA)

e. Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecast (FB)

f. Convective Outlook (AC)

g. Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories including Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET), and Convective SIGMET

Meteorology applicable to the departure, en route, alternate, and destination for flights conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) to include expected climate and hazardous conditions such as:

a. Atmospheric composition and stability

b. Wind (e.g., windshear, mountain wave, factors affecting wind, etc.)

c. Temperature and heat exchange

d. Moisture/precipitation

e. Weather system formation, including air masses and fronts

f. Clouds

g. Turbulence

h. Thunderstorms and microbursts

i. Icing and freezing level information

j. Fog/mist

k. Frost

l. Obstructions to visibility (e.g., smoke, haze, volcanic ash, etc.)

Flight deck displays of digital weather and aeronautical information, their use to navigate around weather, and equipment limitations.

Low-visibility operations (e.g., surface movement, category II and III approaches). (ATP)(AMEL, AMES).

Flight Risk Assessment Tools.

Weather conditions involved in departure and in-flight decision making, to include:

a. Circumstances requiring a change in course or destination

b. Known or forecast icing, winds or turbulence aloft, volcanic ash, destination weather, etc.

c. Personal weather minimums

d. Operator specified or aircraft operational limitations, if applicable

Use and limitations of:

a. Installed onboard weather equipment

b. Aviation weather reports and forecasts

c. Inflight weather resources

Interpret weather information, apply principles of aeronautical decision-making, and use a Flight Risk Assessment Tool, if available.

Aerodynamics of large transport category airplanes, including flight characteristics of swept wing airplanes (e.g., Mach buffet).

Energy management.

Relationship between Mach number, indicated airspeed, true airspeed, and change over altitudes.

Load factor at high altitude and its effect on high and low speed operating margins.

Relationship between altitude capability, weight, and temperature.

Maximum Operating Speed - Knots (VMO) / Maximum Operating Speed - Mach (MMO) convergence and stall angle of attack.

Maximum Lift over Drag Ratio (L/DMAX).

Best range and best endurance.

Factors which contribute to airplane upsets at high altitude and upset prevention and recovery techniques.

Managing the airplane’s energy state.

High operating altitudes at high operational weights.

High altitude slow-downs and excursions behind the power curve.

Turbulence at high altitude.

If a cruise altitude is reached, manage the airplane’s systems and energy state.

Turbine engines, thrust reversing systems, and system malfunctions.

Airplane automation components (e.g., flight director, autopilot), their relationship to each other, and how to manage the automation for flight.

Advanced navigation equipment (e.g., FMS, Required Navigation Performance (RNP), ADS-B, EFB, etc.) and how it is used inflight.

Flightpath warning systems (e.g., Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS), Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) and how to respond to a warning.

Altitudes and conditions that require the use of oxygen masks.

Causes and recognition of cabin pressure loss.

Appropriate rudder use in transport aircraft to avoid rudder reversal.

Crew communications (e.g., sterile flight deck rules, briefings).

Operational control.

Elements associated with operating at complex and high traffic airports with emphasis on runway incursion prevention techniques.

Professional responsibilities associated with being an ATP certificate holder and how to apply leadership skills as pilot-in-command.

Crew resource management (CRM) principles and application in a multi-crew environment.

Use of safety programs to manage risk across an organization (e.g., Threat and error management (TEM), or Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP)).

Operations specifications.

Turbine engine and thrust reversing system malfunctions.

Managing automation and navigation equipment.

Responding to a flightpath warning system alert.

Loss of cabin pressure.

Crew coordination.

Apply CRM principles and use in a crew environment, as appropriate.

Causes, effects, recognition, and corrective actions associated with aeromedical and physiological issues, including:

a. Hypoxia

b. Hyperventilation

c. Middle ear and sinus problems

d. Spatial disorientation

e. Motion sickness

f. Carbon monoxide poisoning

g. Stress

h. Fatigue

i. Dehydration and nutrition

j. Hypothermia

k. Optical illusions

l. Dissolved nitrogen in the bloodstream after scuba dives

Effects of alcohol, drugs, and over-the-counter medications.

Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) to include using Crew Resource Management (CRM) or Single- Pilot Resource Management (SRM), as appropriate.

Components of self-assessment for determining fitness for flight.

Aeromedical and physiological issues.

Hazardous attitudes.

Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.

Confirmation and expectation bias.

Perform a self-assessment and determine fitness for flight.

14 CFR part 61, subparts A, B, and G.

14 CFR part 91 subparts A, B, C, F, G, H.

14 CFR part 117 (AMEL, AMES).

14 CFR part 121 subparts A, G, K, M, O, T, U, V (AMEL, AMES).

14 CFR part 135 subparts A, B, C, D, E, F, G (ASEL, ASES).

49 CFR part 830.

14 CFR part 111 subparts A, D.

Lack of compliance with the applicable CFRs.

Apply the CFRs to the flight and operation.

The characteristics of a water surface as affected by features, such as:

a. Size and location

b. Protected and unprotected areas

c. Surface wind

d. Direction and strength of water current

e. Floating and partially submerged debris

f. Sandbars, islands, and shoals

g. Vessel traffic and wakes

h. Other characteristics specific to the area

i. Direction and height of waves

Float and hull construction, and its effect on seaplane performance.

Causes of porpoising and skipping, and the pilot action needed to prevent or correct these occurrences.

How to locate and identify seaplane bases on charts or in directories.

Operating restrictions at various bases.

Right-of-way, steering, and sailing rules pertinent to seaplane operation.

Marine navigation aids, such as buoys, beacons, lights, sound signals, and range markers.

Naval vessel protection zones.

No wake zones.

Local conditions.

Impact of marine traffic.

Right-of-way and sailing rules pertinent to seaplane operations.

Limited services and assistance available at seaplane bases.

Explain how float and hull construction can affect seaplane performance.

Describe how to correct for porpoising and skipping.

Locate seaplane bases on charts or in directories and identify any restrictions.

Identify marine navigation aids.

Describe what naval vessel protection zones and no wake zones are.

Assess the water surface characteristics for the proposed flight.

Perform correct right-of-way, steering, and sailing operations.