The FAA has announced changes to the Practical Test Standards for Private and Commercial pilots which will take effect in June. NAFI has summarized the changes here:
http://www.nafinet.org/news.aspx?id=568 (http://www.nafinet.org/news.aspx?id=568)
One of the notable changes I see is a new optional task for a private pilot to demostrate an emergency descent. That has some potential to be exciting... :) There are also significant new sections on ADM, Risk Management, Task Management, Situational Awareness and CFIT.
This is more extensive than I initially thought. A copy of the new standard with changes highlighted is at http://www.nafinet.org/File/new%20master%20files%203-20-12/PTS%20Private%20Pilot%20FAA-S-8081-14B%20Effective%20June%201%202012%20Highlighted.pdf (http://www.nafinet.org/File/new%20master%20files%203-20-12/PTS%20Private%20Pilot%20FAA-S-8081-14B%20Effective%20June%201%202012%20Highlighted.pdf)
Despite the fact that the FAA will not make final changes until June, it appears the Form 5 has already been changed because I see the form 5 has a date APR 12 and includes the Emergency Descent task under Emergency Operations.
Brian
Since the MAR 2011 version of CAPF 5 also has Emergency Descent, that was not one of the changes in the form.