Evaluation of student  piloting ability Pilot supervision Practical test  recommendations Flight instructor  endorsements Additional training  and endorsements Pilot proficiency test involved. Signing this recommendation imposes a serious  responsibility on the flight instructor. A flight instructor  who makes a practical test recommendation for an applicant  seeking a certificate or rating should require the applicant  to thoroughly demonstrate the knowledge and skill level  required for that certificate or rating. This demonstration  should in no instance be less than the complete procedure  prescribed in the applicable PTS.  A practical test recommendation based on anything less risks  the presentation of an applicant who may be unprepared for  some part of the actual practical test. In such an event, the  flight instructor is logically held accountable for a deficient  instructional performance. This risk is especially great in  signing recommendations for applicants who have not been  trained by the instructor involved. For balloons, 14 CFR part  61 requires a minimum of two training flights of one hour  each with an authorized instructor within 60 days preceding  the date of the test for a private or commercial certificate.  The instructor signing the endorsement is required to have  conducted the training in the applicable areas of operation  stated in the regulations and the PTS, and certifies that the  person is prepared for the required practical test. In most  cases, the conscientious instructor has little doubt concerning  the applicant’s readiness for the practical test.  Evaluation of demonstrated ability during flight instruction  must be based upon established standards of performance,  suitably modified to apply to the student’s experience and  stage of development as a pilot. The evaluation must consider  the student’s mastery of all the elements involved in the  maneuver, rather than merely the overall performance.  $_{Figure 10-2.}$  The flight instructor has many additional  responsibilities. FAA inspectors and designated pilot examiners rely on flight  instructor recommendations as evidence of qualification  for certification, and proof that a review has been given of  the subject areas found to be deficient on the appropriate  knowledge test. Recommendations also provide assurance  that the applicant has had a thorough briefing on the  practical test standards and the associated knowledge areas,  maneuvers, and procedures. If the flight instructor has trained  and prepared the applicant competently, the applicant should  have no problem passing the practical test.  Correction of student errors should not include the practice  of taking the controls away from students immediately when  a mistake is made. Safety permitting, it is frequently better  to let students progress part of the way into the mistake  and find their own way out. It is difficult for students to  learn to do a maneuver properly if they seldom have the  opportunity to correct an error. On the other hand, students  may perform a procedure or maneuver correctly and not fully  understand the principles and objectives involved. When  the instructor suspects this, students should be required to  vary the performance of the maneuver slightly, combine  it with other operations, or apply the same elements to  the performance of other maneuvers. Students who do not  understand the principles involved probably are not able to  do this successfully. The recommended format for log book endorsements may  be found in the current version of AC 61-65; an extract  of those relevant to balloon instruction may be found in  Appendix E. Professional flight instructors must never become complacent  or satisfied with their own qualifications and abilities.  They should be constantly alert for ways to improve their  qualifications, effectiveness, and the services they provide  to students. Flight instructors are considered authorities on  aeronautical matters and are the experts to whom many pilots  refer questions concerning regulations, requirements, and  new operating techniques.  Provisions are made on the airman certificate or rating  application form for the written recommendation of the flight  instructor who has prepared the applicant for the practical  Flight instructors have the responsibility to provide guidance  and restraint with respect to the solo operations of their  students. This is by far the most important flight instructor  responsibility because the instructor is the only person in a  position to make the determination that a student is ready for  solo operations. Before endorsing a student for solo flight, the  instructor should require the student to demonstrate consistent  ability to perform all of the fundamental maneuvers.  Self-Improvement Student Pilot Supervision Practical Test Recommendations 10-4