Patch's Flight Schools Guide

Flight schools work tirelessly to get you ready for one day in particular, your checkride. Flight schools are even graded based upon the pass fail rate of theirs didn’t pilots during their checkride. Your CFI is graded based upon the pass fail rate of his or her students. Remember, there is no way in the world your CFI would recommend you take your checkride if he or she did not think you are absolutely 100% ready.

Verbalize Your Actions

Throughout the entire process of the practical side of your checkride make sure you’re verbalizing everything you do. This will ensure your examiner understands you’re well aware of what needs to be done and the fact that you’re doing it. A good example of this would be clearing turns. Simply say under your breath but loud enough that he or she can hear you, “clearing to the left” and “clearing to the right.” You may think this is redundant or pointless but, it’s a good safeguard.

Be the Pilot-in-Command

As you’re walking out to the aircraft with the designated examiner constantly reinforce to your self “I am the pilot in command, he or she is a passenger.” As you approach the aircraft talk to your examiner as if they had never been in a small aircraft prior to that day. Let them know what you’re going to do and let them know what you need of them. Once you’re in the cockpit make sure it you do not forget to pre-flight passenger briefing. This is critical. It is an FAA requirement for your passengers to have their seat belts on during takeoff and landing.

You’re a Pilot Until Proven Otherwise

Most student pilots are extremely nervous about taking a checkride. In reality, the designated examiner goes into this process believing you have exactly what it takes to be a private pilot certificate holder. He or she will trust the CFI’s decision to sign off your authorization to take your checkride. At this point the only way you can fail is if you prove you’re not capable of piloting the plane safely. Similar to our legal system in the United States where you’re innocent until proven guilty, during your checkride you’re a pilot until proven otherwise.

Set your Radio Pre-sets

Since you have already planned out your initial flight and gone over this with your designated examiner, you will know exactly what VOR you will need to use when you first leave the airport. You’ll also know the departure frequency for the control tower you’ll be using. Do yourself a huge favor and have these items already programmed into your NAV/COM system. There is no reason you need to be doing your takeoff procedures and fumbling with your NAV/COM in order to get your proper VOR frequency dialed in.

Hopefully these tips will help you get ready for your checkride. Remember, there is no secret formula for passing your checkride.  Either you know what you’re doing or you don’t.  I’ll be posting more checkride tips in the coming days and weeks.  Consider subscribing to our feed so you don’t miss anything in the future.

Related Tools:

ASA Private Pilot Audio Checkride CD – $21.50
Have you ever wished you could be a fly on the wall during the checkride of the best student in your ground school class? This CD allows you to do just that. A narrator explains what you can expect during the checkride and then takes you into the briefing room where you are invited to listen in as a checkride gets underway.

Gold Seal Private Pilot Oral Exam Summary Audio CD – $26.95
This Private Pilot Oral Exam Audio CD is succinct and tightly targeted. It is carefully crafted to focus on exactly the material you are likely to encounter in the Oral Exam. This is written, produced, and mastered by professionals. The result is an entertaining and effective presentation.

ASA Private Pilot Oral Exam Study Guide – $11.65
This is a MUST HAVE item if you want to pass your checkride.  You’ll spend many hours with your nose in this book in the weeks leading up to your oral exam. Using a question-and-answer format, each Oral Exam Guide lists the questions most likely to be asked by examiners and provides succinct, ready responses. This book teaches applicants not only what to expect, but also how to exhibit subject mastery and confidence when under the examiner’s scrutiny. This book will identify the candidates’ strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in their aeronautical knowledge, increasing study efficiency.

Tagged as: Tips, VOR