FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Human Factors and ADMHard
A flight instructor and a sport pilot student are transferring control of the aircraft during a lesson. According to the standard procedure for positive exchange of flight controls, what should occur when the instructor says, 'You have the flight controls'?
- ABoth pilots keep their hands on the controls simultaneously for the remainder of the flight
- BThe student takes the controls silently and continues flying without acknowledgment
- CThe student acknowledges by saying 'I have the flight controls,' and a visual check confirms the exchange before the instructor releases control
- DThe instructor immediately releases the controls without further confirmation
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. The student acknowledges by saying 'I have the flight controls,' and a visual check confirms the exchange before the instructor releases control
The standard three-step process for a positive exchange of flight controls requires a clear verbal statement from the pilot relinquishing control, a verbal acknowledgment from the pilot accepting control, and a visual check to confirm the exchange, after which the original pilot releases the controls. This prevents confusion over who is actually flying the aircraft.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Simultaneous control inputs by both pilots can cause conflicting control pressures and is not the standard procedure.
- B. Silent transfer without verbal acknowledgment violates the positive exchange procedure and risks confusion.
- D. Releasing controls before acknowledgment risks a moment where no one is actively flying.
Positive Exchange of Flight Controls
A standardized three-step procedure ensuring clear, unambiguous transfer of aircraft control between two pilots to prevent confusion about who is flying.
- Step 1: outgoing pilot says 'You have the flight controls'
- Step 2: incoming pilot acknowledges, 'I have the flight controls'
- Step 3: outgoing pilot visually confirms before releasing the controls
Memory trick: Say it, hear it, see it — then let go.