order 8710.3e

254 Pages·2006·2.48 MB·English

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ORDER
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

8710.3E

Effective Date:
April 21, 2006

SUBJ: DESIGNATED PILOT AND FLIGHT ENGINEER EXAMINERS’ HANDBOOK

This order provides guidance and prescribes procedures for designated pilot examiners, pilot
proficiency examiners, airman certification representatives, and National Designated Pilot Examiner
Registry examiners. It delineates privileges, responsibilities, and limitations of examiner
designations and authorizations.
All users of this handbook shall familiarize themselves with its contents and comply with the
instructions and guidance contained herein.
Suggestions for changes or comments on the content of this order are invited and will be given
careful consideration. Please use the Examiner Feedback Sheet, included on the last page of this
order to submit your comments. If an interpretation is urgently needed, you may call the General
Aviation and Commercial Division, AFS-800, at [phone] for guidance. However, you
should also use the Examiner Feedback Sheet as a follow up to the verbal conversation.

James J. Ballough
Director, Flight Standards Service

Distribution: ZVS-871; A-X(FS)-2 (100 cys ea.); A-FFS-5 (LTD); A-FFS-7 (100 cys ea.); Initiated by: AFS-800
AMA-200 (80 cys); AFS-640 (500 cys); AFS-760 (100 cys)
RECORD OF CHANGES DIRECTIVE NO. 8710.3E
CHANGE SUPPLEMENTS OPTIONAL CHANGE SUPPLEMENTS OPTIONAL
TO TO
BASIC BASIC
4/21/06 8710.3E

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Section 1. General ...........................................................................................................1-1
Section 2. Program Structure ..........................................................................................1-3
Section 3. Program Operation .........................................................................................1-7
Section 4. Program Administration .................................................................................1-9
CHAPTER 2. ACCOMPLISH INITIAL DESIGNATION FOR EXAMINERS
Section 1. Background ....................................................................................................2-1
Section 2. Procedures ....................................................................................................2-13
CHAPTER 3. ACHIEVE RENEWAL/REINSTATEMENT
Section 1. Background ....................................................................................................3-1
Section 2. Procedures ......................................................................................................3-7
CHAPTER 4. COMPLETE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
Section 1. Background ....................................................................................................4-1
Section 2. Procedures ......................................................................................................4-3
CHAPTER 5. CONDUCT PRACTICAL TEST/CERTIFICATION FUNCTIONS
Section 1. Background ....................................................................................................5-1
Section 2. Procedures ....................................................................................................5-19
CHAPTER 6. ISSUE A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE
Section 1. Background ....................................................................................................6-1
Section 2. Procedures ......................................................................................................6-3
CHAPTER 7. RESERVED
CHAPTER 8. CONDUCT A RECREATIONAL PILOT CERTIFICATION, INCLUDING
ADDITIONAL CATEGORY/CLASS RATINGS AT THE RECREATIONAL
PILOT CERTIFICATION LEVEL
Section 1. Background ....................................................................................................8-1
Section 2. Procedures ......................................................................................................8-5
CHAPTER 9. CONDUCT A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATION, INCLUDING
ADDITIONAL CATEGORY/CLASS RATINGS AT THE PRIVATE PILOT
CERTIFICATION LEVEL
Section 1. Background ....................................................................................................9-1
Section 2. Procedures ......................................................................................................9-5
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TABLE OF CONTENTS — Continued
Page
CHAPTER 10. CONDUCT A COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATION, INCLUDING
ADDITIONAL CATEGORY/CLASS RATINGS AT THE COMMERCIAL
PILOT CERTIFICATION LEVEL
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................10-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................10-5
CHAPTER 11. CONDUCT AN AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT CERTIFICATION,
INCLUDING ADDITIONAL CATEGORY/CLASS RATINGS AT THE
AIRLINE TRANSPORT CERTIFICATION LEVEL
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................11-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................11-5
CHAPTER 12. CONDUCT AN INSTRUMENT RATING CERTIFICATION
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................12-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................12-5
CHAPTER 13. CONDUCT A PILOT TYPE RATING CERTIFICATION
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................13-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................13-9
CHAPTER 14. CONDUCT A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR PRACTICAL TEST FOR AN
INITIAL, RENEWAL, REINSTATEMENT CERTIFICATION, OR AN
ADDITIONAL CATEGORY/CLASS RATING TO A FLIGHT
INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................14-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................14-9
CHAPTER 15. ACCOMPLISH DESIGNATION/CONDUCT PILOT PROFICIENCY CHECKS
AS A PILOT PROFICIENCY EXAMINER
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................15-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................15-5
CHAPTER 16. ACCOMPLISH DESIGNATION/ISSUE CERTIFICATES AS AN
AIRMAN CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE, LIMITED TO
EXAMINING AUTHORITY UNDER PART 141
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................16-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................16-5
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TABLE OF CONTENTS — Continued
Page
CHAPTER 17. ACCOMPLISH DESIGNATION/ISSUE CERTIFICATES AS AN AIRMAN
CERTIFICATION REPRESENTATIVE (ACR) EMPLOYED SOLELY BY A
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REFRESHER CLINIC SPONSOR
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................17-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................17-5
CHAPTER 18. ACCOMPLISH DESIGNATION/CONDUCT FUNCTIONS AS A MCE, FPE,
MC/FPE, GIE, AND FIRE
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................18-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................18-9
CHAPTER 19. CONDUCT A FLIGHT ENGINEER CERTIFICATION, INCLUDING
ADDITIONAL CATEGORY/CLASS RATINGS FOR THE FLIGHT
ENGINEER CERTIFICATE
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................19-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................19-3
CHAPTER 20. RESERVED
CHAPTER 21. ACCOMPLISH ISSUANCE OF A U.S. PILOT CERTIFICATE WAS BASED
ON A FOREIGN-PILOT LICENSE
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................21-1
Section 2. Procedures ................................................................................................21-13
CHAPTER 22. INTEGRATED AIRMAN CERTIFICATION AND/OR RATING
APPLICATION (IACRA) PROCESS
Section 1. Background ................................................................................................22-1
Section 2. Procedures ..................................................................................................22-3
APPENDIX 1. ACRONYMS (1 page)......................................................................................................1
APPENDIX 2. COMPREHENSIVE INDEX (4 pages)............................................................................1
EXAMINER FEEDBACK SHEET
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CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INFORMATION
SECTION 1. GENERAL
1. PURPOSE. This order provides information, D. Standard U.S. Airman Certificate. A standard U.S.
guidance, and direction for designated pilot examiners airman certificate is a pilot certificate that is issued to an
(DPE), pilot proficiency examiners (PPE), and airman applicant who has met all of the applicable requirements of
certification representatives, who provide airman part 61 for the certificate and/or rating sought.
certification services and/or pilot proficiency checks in
accordance with (IAW) Title 14 of the Code of Federal E. Restricted U.S. Airman Certificate. A restricted
Regulations (14 CFR) parts 61 and 141. U.S. airman certificate is a pilot certificate that is issued to
an applicant on the basis of the applicant’s foreign-pilot
2. DISTRIBUTION. This order is distributed to all license under the provisions of 14 CFR § 61.75. Refer to
addresses on special mailing list ZVS-871; to all regional chapter 21 for guidance information on the issuance of
Flight Standards divisions; to all Flight Standards District U.S. pilot certificates that are based on a person holding a
Offices and International Field Offices; to the Regulatory foreign-pilot license.
Standards Division; to the Designee Standardization
Branch of the Regulatory Support Division; and to the F. Flight Engineer Examiner (FEE). A person
Airmen Certification Branch of the Civil Aviation Registry authorized to conduct flight engineer certificates and
at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. ratings for other than 14 CFR part 121 or 125 purposes.
3. CANCELLATION. Federal Aviation Administration 6. HANDBOOK FORMAT. This handbook contains
(FAA) Order 8710.3C, Pilot Examiner’s Handbook, dated both directive and guidance information.
September 20, 1996, is canceled.
A. Directive Information. The directive information
4. EXPLANATION OF CHANGES. This revision contained in this handbook is mandatory. Directive
reflects policy and procedural changes in the designated information uses terms such as “shall” and “must” and
examiner program. It incorporates changes in 14 CFR indicates actions that are imperative. The terms “shall not”
part 61, which was revised August 4, 1997. or “must not” signify actions that are prohibited. These
terms allow the examiner no flexibility or discretionary
5. DEFINITIONS. The following terms, as used in this latitude. The examiner must follow directive guidance
order, are defined as shown. unless a deviation is approved by the supervising Flight
Standards District Office (FSDO).
A. Designated Pilot Examiner. A DPE is a designated
representative of the Administrator who is authorized by B. Guidance Information. Guidance information
Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) § 44702 to contains terms such as should, may, or need not. These
perform the tasks described in 14 CFR part 183, § 183.23. terms indicate actions that are permissible but not
mandatory. Guidance information allows the examiner
B. National Designated Pilot Examiner and Flight flexibility.
Engineer Examiner Registry (NDPE/FEER). An
NDPE/FEER examiner is an examiner who is authorized C. Chapter Content. Chapter 1 in this handbook
to conduct airman certification and proficiency practical contains introductory, general, and administrative
tests in vintage airplanes IAW the provisions of the information. Each succeeding chapter is divided into two
NDPE/FEER Program. sections: background and procedures.
C. High Activity Examiner. A high activity examiner (1) Section 1 (background) contains general
is an examiner who conducts at least 50 practical tests information and current policy regarding the task that the
(aircraft or simulator) in a given quarter. chapter addresses.
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(2) Section 2 (procedures) contains prerequisites, should be taken by the examiner to perform the task.
references, forms, figures, and an outline of the steps that

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SECTION 2. PROGRAM STRUCTURE
1. OBJECTIVE. The objective of the pilot examiner difficulties after the test has begun, or other unforeseen
program is to provide prompt practical testing to applicants situations.
for airman certificates. The FAA designates examiners to
provide this service. E. Student Pilot Certificates. An examiner accepts
applications for student pilot certificates and issues the
A. Authority to Designate. The FAA designates certificates.
examiners under the authority of 49 U.S.C. § 44702, as
implemented by 14 CFR § 183.23. Designated examiners F. Proficiency Checks. An examiner may conduct
are not employees of the FAA. Designees serve without pilot proficiency checks in each aircraft or simulator in
pay from the Government but may charge applicants which the examiner is currently authorized to conduct
reasonable fees for the examiner’s time in conducting certification practical tests.
practical tests and completing the attendant reports.
G. Type Ratings. An examiner who is authorized to
B. Need for Service. The FSDO is responsible for conduct aircraft type rating practical tests may conduct
ensuring that an adequate number of examiners are additional rating practical tests for those type ratings
designated to serve the public. The demand for practical authorized at all certificate levels.
tests at a specific location determines if the designation of
an examiner is justified. The standard for justifying the H. Fees. An examiner may charge each applicant a
need for an examiner is that the applicant should not have reasonable fee for services. The examiner ensures that the
to wait more than 7 days and should not have to travel applicant understands the amount of the fee for a practical
more than 100 nautical miles (NM) for a practical test. test or a retest, as appropriate. This information should be
understood by the applicant before the examiner accepts
2. EXAMINER PRIVILEGES. An examiner is an application.
authorized to perform the following certification actions
and responsibilities. I. Restrictions. Per FAA Order 8080.6 (current
edition), Conduct of Airman Knowledge Tests,
A. Certification Practical Tests. An examiner accepts paragraph 312c, an individual who is a DPE must not
applications and conducts practical tests leading to the administer or monitor an airman knowledge test.
issuance of pilot and flight instructor certificates and/or Furthermore, a DPE may not be appointed or retained as
ratings in the types of aircraft appropriate to the certificates testing center personnel or as a Special Test Administrator.
and Letter of Authorization (LOA) held by the examiner.
3. TYPES OF DESIGNATION. Pilot examiners are
B. Temporary Certificates. An examiner issues designated for specific testing functions. Examiners may
temporary airman certificates to applicants whom the perform only the functions authorized by their
examiner has tested and found qualified for a certificate or designations. Pilot examiner designations have been
rating. aligned to conform with 14 CFR part 61 certificates and
ratings.
C. Notices of Disapproval of Application. An
examiner issues notices of disapproval to applicants whose A. Private Pilot Examiner (PE). A PE conducts
performance during practical tests conducted by that private and recreational pilot certification tests and
examiner did not meet the applicable practical test additional aircraft rating tests as specifically authorized.
standards for a certificate or rating.
B. Commercial and Instrument Rating Examiner
D. Letters of Discontinuance. An examiner issues a (CIRE). A CIRE conducts commercial pilot certification
letter of discontinuance when a practical test is terminated tests, instrument rating practical tests, and additional
for reasons other than unsatisfactory performance such as aircraft rating tests as specifically authorized for airplanes,
unforecast weather, the applicant or examiner becoming powered-lifts, and rotorcraft-helicopters.
incapacitated during the practical test, aircraft mechanical
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C. Commercial Pilot Examiner (CE). A CE conducts renewal of a current flight instructor certificate. A current
commercial pilot certification tests in rotorcraft, gliders, DPE is authorized to perform ACR duties and
lighter-than-air aircraft, and additional ratings as responsibilities for any airman certificate or rating. A DPE
specifically authorized. who performs ACR duties and responsibilities is not
required to have their letter of authorization revised in
D. Airline Transport Pilot Examiner (ATPE). An order to perform ACR duties and responsibilities.
ATPE conducts airline transport pilot (ATP) practical tests
for the original issuance of an ATP certificate and K. Military Competency Examiner (MCE). The MCE
additional ratings as specifically authorized. ATPEs must reviews a military pilot’s records, verifies computer test
hold category and class, and, if appropriate, type ratings on reports of the military competence knowledge test, and
their pilot certificates pertinent to the tests to be conducted. issues commercial pilot certificates and instrument ratings
to qualified military pilot applicants as specifically
E. Flight Instructor Examiner (FIE). An FIE, as authorized (e.g., 14 CFR § 61.73). The MCE may
authorized by the supervising FSDO, conducts practical issue/upgrade pilot certificates bearing type ratings based
tests for the original issuance, renewal, and reinstatement on the applicant’s military pilot qualifications. The
of flight instructor certificates and ratings. An FIE is eligibility and experience requirements for this examiner
authorized to issue flight instructor renewals or candidate are covered in chapter 18.
reinstatements on the basis of practical tests only.
L. Foreign Pilot Examiner (FPE). An FPE may issue
F. Flight Instructor Renewal Examiner (FIRE). An private pilot certificates and ratings at the private pilot
FIRE is authorized by the supervising FSDO to accept certification level on the basis of an applicant’s foreign
applications for renewal of a flight instructor certificate license qualifications. The FPE reviews applicants’
that is still current and where the renewal process is merely records, verifies computer test reports for the Foreign Pilot
administrative (meaning, a practical test is not required for Instrument knowledge tests, and issues private pilot
renewal of the applicant’s flight instructor certificates). certificates to qualified foreign applicants IAW 14 CFR
§ 61.75. The eligibility and experience requirements for
G. NDPE/FEER. An NDPE/FEER conducts airman this examiner candidate are covered in chapter 18.
certification practical tests and proficiency tests in
vintage/surplus military airplanes that are identified and NOTE: Refer to chapter 21 for guidance
listed as vintage airplanes under the NDPE/FEER information on the issuance of the U.S. pilot
Program. certificate based on a person holding a foreign
pilot license.
H. Flight Engineer Examiner (FEE). A person
authorized to conduct flight engineer certificates and M. Military Competency/Foreign Pilot Examiner
ratings (for other than 14 CFR part 121 or 125 purposes) to (MC/FPE). The eligibility and experience requirements
applicants who qualify IAW 14 CFR part 63. for the MC/FPE position is covered in chapter 18.
I. Pilot Proficiency Examiner (PPE). A PPE conducts (1) The MC function of the MC/FPE designation
the pilot-in-command (PIC) proficiency checks required reviews a military pilot’s records, verifies computer test
by 14 CFR § 61.58 for airmen who act as PIC of aircraft reports of the military competence knowledge test, and
that require two or more pilots and are operated under issues commercial pilot certificates and instrument ratings
OTHER than 14 CFR parts 121, 125, 127, or 135. A PPE to qualified military pilot applicants as specifically
does not conduct certification practical tests. authorized (e.g., § 61.73). The MC function may
issue/upgrade pilot certificates bearing type ratings based
J. Airman Certification Representative (ACR). An on the applicant’s military pilot qualifications.
ACR accepts applications for airman certificates and/ or
ratings from the graduates of a pilot school that holds (2) The FP function of the MC/FPE designation
appropriate examining authority under 14 CFR part 141. issues restricted private pilot certificates and instrument
An ACR employed solely by a flight instructor refresher ratings based on an applicant’s foreign license
clinic (FIRC) reviews applicants’ attendance/training qualifications (e.g., § 61.75).
records and determines applicants’ eligibility for the
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N. Flight Instructor Renewal Examiner. A FIRE may O. Ground Instructor Examiner. A GIE reviews an
renew holders of current flight instructor certificates, but applicant’s knowledge test report for the issuance of a
only if the renewal involves an administrative process and Ground Instructor Certificate for the basic, advanced, or
no practical test is involved. The eligibility and experience instrument ratings, as specifically authorized (as per
requirements for this examiner candidate are covered in §§ 61.213 and 61.215). The eligibility and experience
chapter 18. requirements for this examiner candidate are covered in
chapter 18.
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