Originally Posted by HillerBee
It is removed from the PTS (Pilots Test Standards), that doesn't mean it's removed from the syllabus. In fact as I understood you now need an endorsement from an instructor that you are proficient in full-downs (EOL's)
The reason why they removed it from the PTS is a lot of examiners felt very uncomfortable doing them and as a result of checkride-stress a lot of them were not executed properly.
Simply not correct---As far as I know, and endorsement is NOT required.
There has been NO official reason as to why it has been removed. I doubt that it has anything to do with "examiner stress".
JohnL,
I'm with you. I will still continue to teach touchdowns, however, I am in agreement that a CFI applicant should not have to demonstrate proficiency to a set standard. Most of the "bad incidents" of wrecked aircraft that I am aware of personally, were caused by trying to complete a touchdown when they should have power recovered. Applicants were trying so hard to get within the 50 requirement that they sacrifice rpm, airspeed and/or attitude and still try to put the thing down. Another option that probably was NOT considered by the FAA, would be to have separated out the auto, ie. Have a requirement to complete a 180 degree power recovery to within 50 feet of an assigned point, followed by another auto to touchdown from a straight in to a runway, ignoring the requirement to arrive at a specific point. This way both skills are tested and the risk is "somewhat" reduced.
Just my personal $0.02.