Checkride 101

In the spirit of taking my most recent checkride, MEI (multi-engine instructor), I thought it would be great to discuss checkrides - how to prepare, what to bring, the expectations for the ride, and dealing with checkride nerves.

• How to Prepare:

  • Be organized! Make a checkride binder!

    • Show your DPE that you are a safety conscious and organized pilot - print out or organized all avaliable information that would conern your flight

      • Taxi Diagrams at intended airports

      • VFR sectional

      • NOTAMs

      • Weight and Balances

      • Approach plates/SIDs/STARs (if applicable - instrument/CFII only)

    • NWKRAFT: Preflight action items to be known required by 91.103

      • NOTAMS

      • Weather - briefing

      • Known ATC delays: https://nasstatus.faa.gov/

      • Runway length/condition

      • Alternates

      • Fuel reserves

      • Takeoff and Landing Distance data

  • Show up early

    • Get yourself settled, have all your required documents out so that you can have a timely start to your checkride.

    • Check out the maintenance logs for your aircraft and bring them with.

      • Ensure compliance with required inspections and updated databases

  • Dress for success

    • Business casual for checkrides (and weather appropriate)

  
  

• What to Bring:

  • Pilot Documents: Documents you need to act as PIC

    • Photo ID

    • Medical

    • Pilot certificate

  • Current FAR AIM

  • Logbook with endorsements and hour requirements tabbed out so they are easy to find

  • Foggles (if applicable)

  • ARROW: documents required for the plane

    • Airworthiness

    • Registration

    • Radio Operators License (if going internationally)

    • Operating Limitations (found in POH)

    • Weight and Balance

      • Include a spare too (DPE will likely make you do W/B based on a scenario)

  • Don't forget about yourself: a snack and water!

    • Checkrides can sometimes be a several hour ordeal.

• Expectations and possible outcomes:

  • Any checkride is going to be conducted per the ACS (airmen certification standards) or the PTS (practical test standards). Either document is going to list the knowledge level or measurable technical skill to perform to the written standards.

  • For most flight manuevers, the checkride standards may look like this:

    • Steep turns: +/- 100 feet, +/- 10 airspeed, +/- 10 heading, +/- 5 bank.

      • Knowing these standards can understand what the DPE is looking for in your flight operations.

  • And of course, the examiner is looking for safe operation at all times!

    • Do your clearing turns!

      
      

  • There are 3 outcomes to any checkride:

    • Dissaproval:

      • One of the factors in the ACS or PTS was not satisfactorily completed. Go retrain with your instructor and come back stronger than ever for your retest with the DPE!

    • Discontinuance:

      • For any reason (weather, not feeling well, plane issues, etc.), you can choose to discontinue your checkride and finish it another day. This is what I had to do with my MEI after completing the oral, and have done for almost every checkride I have taken. We have discontinued the flight to a future day (hopefully tomorrow) and will accomplish it when the weather is better!

      • Do not stray from your personal minimums when making a go/no-go decision due to weather on checkride.

        • Discontinuances are free!

        • Take the time between the oral and the flight to chair fly, brush up on manuevers, or go fly again with your instructor!

    • Checkride Pass

      • Congrats! You've successfully passed the oral and practical exam for your rating!

• Checkride nerves:

  • Everyone gets checkride nerves. Your instructor has been there, even your DPE has been there. Know that your DPE wants to see you succeed!

  • Take the night off before the checkride - watch a movie, go out with friends, etc.

    • You've worked this hard to get that point, let yourself relax.

    • Last minute studying doesn't do you too well anyways, and typically only makes you more stressed.