PLT029: Critical Phases Of Flight
What code PLT029 covers, why the FAA tests it, and how to study Critical Phases Of Flight before your checkride.
Define critical phase of flight
What this means for your checkride
Critical phases of flight are the high workload segments such as takeoff, approach, and landing where the pilot's attention is most heavily loaded. During these times the margin for distraction is smallest, so planning ahead reduces workload and prevents performance from breaking down. Landing in particular is treated as one of the most demanding phases.
The FAA wants pilots to recognize when to shed distractions and concentrate fully on flying so errors do not occur at the worst moments.
Where to study it
A code on your test report is an area of deficiency. An authorized instructor must review it with you and endorse that review before you take the practical test, and the examiner may revisit it during the oral. Study it until you can explain it out loud, not just recognize the answer.