The FAA recently added new Practical Test Standards (PTS) to the Private and Commercial Certificates. Examiners will start testing students on these topics immediately and students should know what to expect. Certificated pilots will also find these principles helpful.
The most significant update to the PTS is a section called Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM). It replaces a smaller section called Crew Resource Management (CRM).
CRM refers to how pilots remain situationally aware by collecting and interpreting all the information available, communicate with crew members and ATC and divide the flying workload with members of the flight crew.
However, pilots (especially Private Pilots) frequently fly by themselves. Single-pilot operations have their own safety considerations and the new PTS address this issue.
SRM Questions:
- How do you make decisions by yourself?
- What about risk and task management?
- What are some ways to stay situationally aware?
- How do you protect yourself from controlled flight into terrain (CFIT)?
- What about automation management?
Our instructors have already begun to focus on these issues during training. We encourage all of our clients to develop their own SRM strategy. The FAA, NBAA and AOPA all have great resources. We are also happy to share our insights into SRM and the other PTS changes.
Cessna Pilot Course students should receive a link to the new PTS in their email. New hard copy versions will be available soon.
