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Practical Test
The FAA oral and flight examination for a certificate or rating, conducted by a Designated Pilot Examiner or FAA inspector against the applicable Airman Certification Standards. Commonly called a checkride, the practical test evaluates knowledge, risk management, and skill for each required ACS area of operation.
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- Precision ApproachAn instrument approach that provides both lateral and vertical electronic guidance to the runway, such as an ILS, GLS, or PAR. RNAV (GPS) LPV and LNAV/VNAV procedures also provide vertical guidance and are flown to a decision altitude, but the FAA classifies them as approaches with vertical guidance (APV) rather than precision approaches.
- Preflight ActionThe pilot-in-command duty under 14 CFR 91.103 to become familiar with all available information concerning a flight before departure. Required items include runway lengths, takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives if the flight cannot be completed, and known ATC delays; "all available information" includes NOTAMs.
- Preflight InspectionA thorough visual and physical inspection of the aircraft performed by the pilot before each flight. The preflight checks fuel quantity and quality, oil level, control surfaces, tires, lights, and overall aircraft condition using the manufacturer's checklist.
- Pressure AltitudeThe altitude shown on the altimeter when it is set to the standard pressure of 29.92 inHg (1013.2 hPa). In an unpressurized airplane, cabin altitude is generally close to pressure altitude; pressurized airplanes can keep cabin pressure altitude much lower than the airplane's altitude.