Regulation Text
§ 61.43 Practical tests: General procedures.
(a) Completion of the practical test for a certificate or rating consists of—
(1) Performing the tasks specified in the areas of operation contained in the applicable Airman Certification Standards or Practical Test Standards (incorporated by reference, see § 61.14) as listed in appendix A of this part for the airman certificate or rating sought;
(2) Demonstrating mastery of the aircraft by performing each task required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section successfully;
(3) Demonstrating proficiency and competency of the tasks required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section within the approved standards; and
(4) Demonstrating sound judgment.
(b) The pilot flight crew complement required during the practical test is based on one of the following requirements that applies to the aircraft being used on the practical test:
(1) If the aircraft's FAA-approved flight manual requires the pilot flight crew complement be a single pilot, then the applicant must demonstrate single pilot proficiency on the practical test.
(2) If the aircraft's type certification data sheet requires the pilot flight crew complement be a single pilot, then the applicant must demonstrate single pilot proficiency on the practical test.
(3) If the FAA Flight Standardization Board report, FAA-approved aircraft flight manual, or aircraft type certification data sheet allows the pilot flight crew complement to be either a single pilot, or a pilot and a copilot, then the applicant may demonstrate single pilot proficiency or have a copilot on the practical test. If the applicant performs the practical test with a copilot, the limitation of “Second in Command Required” will be placed on the applicant's pilot certificate. The limitation may be removed if the applicant passes the practical test by demonstrating single-pilot proficiency in the aircraft in which single-pilot privileges are sought.
(c) If an applicant fails any area of operation, that applicant fails the practical test.
(d) An applicant is not eligible for a certificate or rating sought until all the areas of operation are passed.
(e) The examiner or the applicant may discontinue a practical test at any time:
(1) When the applicant fails one or more of the areas of operation; or
(2) Due to inclement weather conditions, aircraft airworthiness, or any other safety-of-flight concern.
(f) If a practical test is discontinued, the applicant is entitled credit for those areas of operation that were passed, but only if the applicant:
(1) Passes the remainder of the practical test within the 60-day period after the date the practical test was discontinued;
(2) Presents to the examiner for the retest the original notice of disapproval form or the letter of discontinuance form, as appropriate;
(3) Satisfactorily accomplishes any additional training needed and obtains the appropriate instructor endorsements, if additional training is required; and
(4) Presents to the examiner for the retest a properly completed and signed application.
[Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42549, Aug. 21, 2009; Amdt. 61-142, 83 FR 30276, June 27, 2018; Docket No. FAA-2022-1463; Amdt. No.61-153, 89 FR 22517, Apr. 1, 2024]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.43 Practical Tests: General Procedures
Overview
Section 61.43 establishes the procedural framework for the practical test itself. Four key areas: what completing a checkride means (paragraph (a)); crew complement requirements (paragraph (b)); failure consequences (paragraphs (c)-(d)); and the rules governing test discontinuation and credit for completed areas (paragraphs (e)-(f)).
What "Completion" Means — The ACS Standard
Paragraph (a) defines completion as performing the tasks in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) or Practical Test Standards (PTS) successfully, demonstrating aircraft mastery on each task, meeting proficiency standards, and demonstrating sound judgment. The ACS/PTS framework is critical — it specifies exactly which tasks must be evaluated and what performance standards apply. The DPE evaluates against the ACS, not against informal expectations. The current ACS documents are incorporated by reference into Part 61 via § 61.14 and are published at FAA Airman Certification Standards.
"Sound Judgment" as a Evaluable Standard
Paragraph (a)(4) explicitly includes "demonstrating sound judgment" as part of what must be completed. This is not a vague aspiration — it means the DPE is evaluating the applicant's decision-making throughout the test, not just whether individual maneuvers meet tolerances. A technically proficient applicant who makes unsound decisions (e.g., pressing into deteriorating weather, exceeding aircraft limitations, failing to follow ATC instructions) can fail on judgment grounds even if every maneuver was within ACS standards. This is intentional and reflects the FAA's shift from tolerances-only evaluation to comprehensive airmanship assessment.
Crew Complement and the "SIC Required" Limitation
Paragraph (b)(3) establishes an important asymmetry: if the aircraft can be flown with either one or two pilots, and the applicant chooses to fly with a copilot, the resulting certificate carries a "Second in Command Required" (SIC Required) limitation. The limitation is not permanent — it can be removed by passing a separate single-pilot proficiency demonstration in the same aircraft. The practical implication for applicants: if you plan to exercise single-pilot privileges later, demonstrate single-pilot proficiency on the initial checkride.
Failure and Discontinuation — Critical Distinction
Paragraph (c) is absolute: failing any single area of operation means the entire practical test is failed. But paragraph (e) allows discontinuation — which is different from a failure. Discontinuation can happen for safety-of-flight reasons (weather, aircraft airworthiness) or when an area fails and the DPE and applicant elect to stop rather than continue. After a discontinuation, the applicant retains credit for passed areas, subject to strict conditions under (f).
Discontinuation vs. Failure — The 60-Day Credit Window
After a test is discontinued, the applicant has 60 days to complete the remaining areas. This is different from the 2-calendar-month rule in § 61.39 for originally split tests — the discontinuation clock runs in days (60), not months. The applicant must present the Notice of Disapproval (if failed) or Letter of Discontinuance (if discontinued) at the retest, along with a new application and any required additional training endorsements.
ACS vs. PTS
The FAA has been transitioning from Practical Test Standards (PTS) to Airman Certification Standards (ACS) since 2016. The ACS adds specific knowledge and risk management standards to each task — the DPE evaluates knowledge and risk management elements alongside the performance elements. Not all certificates have transitioned to ACS format; some still use PTS. Confirm which document applies to your specific certificate and rating before your checkride. Current document status is at FAA ACS page.
Recent Amendment
Amdt. 61-153 (April 2024) was the most recent amendment to § 61.43 in the published history, with further refinements reflected in the 2025-01-21 versioner date. Verify current text at eCFR § 61.43.
Amendment History
AOA Notes
These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.
CFI Commentary
Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.