Zayghami

I know this is a AIRLINE PILOT forums but whatever. Going for my checkride next week, and im a bit nervous. Anybody got any helpful hints. Im mostly worried about the oral portion....i think ill be alright on the flying part...


Thanks

LineTroll

Make sure to absolutely know everything that is on your sectional and terminal charts, and where to find any sort of information you might need for your flight. Airspace, aircraft limitations, frequencies you will need, etc.

This stuff is important for you to know, so make sure to study it. The rest of the stuff is pretty much what you should have known when you took your written test, and if you forget something you can always look it up. But like I said, when you're up in the air you can't look something up, so make sure to know anything that may come up while you are flying.

Also, make sure you clearly communicate with your examiner and know what is expected of you.

Not doing that is how I failed my checkride

rickair7777

Has anyone told you about "chair flying"?

Sit in the airplane on the ground and do a mental walkthrough of an entire flight. Manipulate all switches and controls appropriately (except the master or starter), verbalize all radio calls, and do all of your required manuvers.

This will re-inforce procedures and help you identify weak spots...if you have trouble with the exact flow for power-on stall recovery, then you can review the procedure and practice a few more times.

Running through this a few times a day will make all the procedures second-nature so you are not worrying about trying to remember things in flight.

If you can't sit in an airplane on the ramp, do it at home in a chair.

Zayghami

Awsome! this is all great information, and no i had never heard of chair flying, i hope it will help me with my flow.
Also, do you think the examiner would mind if I were to go up to him ahead of time and see what he's looking for on the test?

Photon

first of all check the PTS.
Know everything in 91.205 for day/night vfr, special flight permits, inspections, documents.
Basically all the wonderful acronyms. atomatoflames & flaps, aviates, ar(r)ow etc

jban642

I would not ask the examiner directly. However if you know anybody that has taken a check ride with that guy before ask them because most examiners don't change there check ride. I am shore that your instructor has prepared you well. Don't be nervous and most of all have fun. Don't think of it as a test think it just you flying with a new person. Remember the DPE is not there to fail you he is there to make shore that you can fly the airplane safely. If you don't know something do not BS the examiner just say you don't know and look up the answer. Anyway enough rambling on good luck and have fun.

jamin35008

Not the best idea to ask the examiner any questions right before. This may show to him that your not ready to be pilot in comand. What your instructor taught you throughout your training should be enough information to pass the ppl. I remember mine and I did not feel ready, most people never feel ready to take a checkride, but just remember that if you dont know something just be honest with him/her and say so. If you lie the examiner will know right away and just dig a bigger and bigger hole for you. Just know where you would find the info....for example if he/she asks you "what does this means on the chart?" and you dont know just say that "I dont know but if I could look at the legend I could tell you" and he/she might let you find the legend and that should be good enough, they may just want to see you find the legend and thats a good enough answer without even pointing out what they asked in the first place.......No one person knows everything! Good luck! Last thought....just briefly scan over your stuff the night before!!!! Dont pull a all nighter, get a good nights rest and show up at the airport a good 2-3 hours before the ride just to get everything in order and RELAX!!! Good luck!

IFly17

Ask around and see if the examiner has something published about their checkride. A few here have DVDs they put out of what they "Expect" you to know on your checkride. Basically they put their checkride oral on DVD. It is not exact, but I'd bet it is about 75% accurate. Others have a comprehensive list of questions that they use--if it is on the list they are fair game. The list is 200-300 questions long, but if you know it you can't go wrong.

Take a few seconds to think about and formulate your answers before you give them. If you don't know an answer say "I don't know it, but if you give me a couple minutes I can find it." I said that once, the guy asked me where I would find it, I said AIM and he said good enough, let's move on.

Big thing, relax! Good luck and try to enjoy yourself! You would not be there if your instructor did not think you were ready! Don't forget to sign your temporary when you get it!

Zayghami

Perfect! This was exactly what i was looking for.

Just want to say thank you to everybody to took the time to help me out...

eyefly

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