Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

2 Answers

PTS Used for Flight Training *and* Testing?

Asked by: 3807 views ,
Flight Instructor

Am studying for the FOI (Fundamentals of Instruction) and the test prep says "We have received feedback that the FAA is grading the answer, "flight training and testing" to the question "The Practical Test Standards (PTS) should be used for..."  as correct. However the current Flight Training Handbook says, "It must be emphasized the PTS book is a testing document, not a teaching document.""

What would you give as an answer if you got this question on the FOI knowledge test?

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Dauntless Aviation's GroundSchool series of apps are the smart pilot's choice for fast and effective FAA knowledge test prep.
Actual, up-to-date FAA questions Polished user experience
Best explanations in the business Free lifetime updates!
Private Pilot IFR Commercial Pilot CFI ATP Sport Pilot Sport Pilot Instructor Parachute Rigger Aviation Mechanic (A&P)
You can get the app now and be studying right away. Available for PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android.

2 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Jan 27, 2015

    The “T” in PTS stands for test, not training.

    The question you are asking is one designed to derive an answer which will be graded as correct on a test.

    The proper aircraft training handbooks and other reference material are training guides.
    The PTS is a testing guide.

    If an incorrect answer is being accepted as correct, that answer should be challenged.

    +1 Votes Thumb up 2 Votes Thumb down 1 Votes



  2. Wes Beard on Jan 31, 2015

    The PTS is primarily used as a testing document. Since we all know what the standard is for passing the test, doesn’t it make sense to use that as a minimum standard for training?

    I agree with the flight training handbook that the PTS doesn’t specify how the maneuver is to be accomplished just the standard for passing it. Other FAA materials teach how the maneuver is to be performed.

    +1 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.