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CFI Airmen Certification Standards: Technical Subject Areas


Aircraft Performance

The performance or operational information section of the Aircraft Flight Manual/Pilot's Operating Handbook (AFM/ POH) contains the operating data pertaining to takeoff, climb, range, endurance, descent, and landing.

The use of this data in flying operations is mandatory for safe and efficient operation.

Manufacturers' information and data is not standardized, and performance data may be presented on the basis of standard atmospheric conditions.

Pressure and temperature have a major effect on aircraft performance, which pilots should take into account when predicting performance.

Weight & Balance

Operating an aircraft within the weight and balance limits is critical to flight safety. Pilots must ensure that the center of gravity (CG) is and remains within approved limits throughout all phases of a flight.

If an aircraft's CG is outside the approved limits, positive control will be difficult or impossible, resulting in a hazardous flight condition.

In addition, operating above the aircraft's maximum weight limitation compromises its structural integrity and adversely affects performance.

Performance & Limitations

This task combines two chapters from the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge:

  • Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance
  • Chapter 10: Weight & Balance

Since this material is covered in the CFI knowledge test, it's possible that the DPE on your CFI checkride won't be interested in watching you calculate density altitude on your electronic E6B or run weight-shift algebra. But who knows? Most CFI candidates probably would be happy to solve some math problems during the oral exam.

It's more likely that a DPE will want to focus on risks associated with adverse balance, so be prepared to discuss flight characteristics with aircraft that have excessive fore and aft CG.

CFI candidates also should be familiar with the performance charts and weight-and-balance sheet for the airplane that will be used on the CFI checkride.

Other areas that might come up during the oral exam include:

  • Calculating pressure and density altitude
  • Calculating takeoff and landing performance
  • Calculating crosswind component
  • L/D Max and region of reversed command
  • Power-loading and wing-loading
  • Performance speeds
  • Hydroplaning
  • Schedule, graph, and table methods to compute CG
  • Weight-shift calculations
  • Adding and removing weight


Airmen Certification Standards: Flight Instructor (Airplane)

Areas of Operation II. Technical Subject Areas
Task F: Performance and Limitations

References

  1. Aircraft Weight & Balance Handbook (FAA-H-8083-1)
  2. Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3)
  3. Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25)

Objective: To determine the applicant understands aircraft performance and limitations, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

Knowledge: The applicant demonstrates instructional knowledge by describing and explaining:

  1. Elements related to performance and limitations by explaining the use of charts, tables, and data to determine performance.
  2. Factors affecting performance, including atmospheric conditions, pilot technique, airplane configuration, airport environment, and loading and weight and balance.
  3. Weight and balance terms, including: basic empty weight, maximum gross weight, arm, moment, reference datum, center of gravity (CG) and CG limits, and useful load.
  4. Methods for computing CG.
  5. Aerodynamics.

Risk Management The applicant explains and teaches how to identify and manage risk associated with:

  1. Use of performance charts, tables, and data.
  2. Airplane limitations.
  3. Possible differences between calculated performance and actual performance.
  4. Exceeding weight limits.
  5. Operating outside of CG limits.
  6. Shifting, adding, and removing weight.

Skills: The applicant demonstrates and simultaneously explains how to:

  1. Use of performance charts, tables, and data.
  2. Compute the weight and balance, correct out-of-center of gravity loading errors and determine if the weight and balance remains within limits during all phases of flight.

Flight Instructor Test Questions

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Robert Wederquist   CP-ASEL - AGI - IGI
Commercial Pilot • Instrument Pilot
Advanced Ground Instructor • Instrument Ground Instructor


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