What is he looking for?

I get that question every once and a while... "What are you looking for Chris?"

As a Pilot Examiner the answer is simple, "that the applicant safely meets the standards as outline in the applicable PTS".  That's a typical Pilot Examiner cop out but applicants and flight instructors really want more info.  They're really asking "how do you want them to do the maneuver or task?"  As a flight instructor I have my own tips and suggestions but as a Pilot Examiner I have to put those aside and make sure the applicant's flying matches or doesn't seriously disagree with the FAA technical material.  So Airplane applicants should be flying according to  the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook, Helicopter applicants should be flying in accordance to the FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook and Instrument applicant according to the Instrument Flying Handbook.  You get the idea. 

Other FAA sources will provide other information and should be referenced as well, for example the AIM, Advisory Circulars and the FAA Regulations.  All of the sources are listed in the PTS.  Can other sources be used?  Yes, as long as they don't disagree with FAA sources.  For example Rod Machado's books are excellent reference material.

Make sure you are using the latest editions!  For example, I have a collection of training material going back to World War II.  Would the techniques described in those books be acceptable on a flight test today?  Some of it maybe, some of it definitely not.  So if your teaching make sure you are using the latest FAA methods.