Commercial Checkride - Any hints for the oral?
01-14-2009, 11:54 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
Commercial Checkride - Any hints for the oral?
Taking my comm checkride in two weeks and just trying to get an idea for the oral. I have been deep into the PTS - just looking for any recent reports of comm orals....thanks.
01-19-2009, 08:08 AM
#3
Does NOT get weekends off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: ERJ - 145
Posts: 1,631
Know what a commercial pilot can and cannot do. Thats one of the biggest differences between a private and commercial pilot. Also, what a commercial pilot cannot do without an instrument rating.
Also as a tip, this was common with our examiners but maybe not with all, when you plan your XC, still give plenty of buffer room/fudge factor... but maybe not as much as you did on your private (if you did a lot). As a commercial pilot, being more accurate with numbers is good for business.
Also as a tip, this was common with our examiners but maybe not with all, when you plan your XC, still give plenty of buffer room/fudge factor... but maybe not as much as you did on your private (if you did a lot). As a commercial pilot, being more accurate with numbers is good for business.
01-21-2009, 12:15 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Stagnant..
Posts: 438
Private vs. Common Carriage is a must. Know the systems of your A/C as well as that of a commercial A/C ( IE Air Conditioning/Press. Ops, Turbocharged Engines, GEAR SYSTEM/HYDRAULIC- Know how to draw/explain these !! ) Most of all just relax and try try try not to start every sentence with Ah's and Um's and ' Well Basically '. Instructors here this all the time and they're just space fillers and make you sound less educated than we all know/hope you are !
01-26-2009, 01:55 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: B747 Driver
Posts: 198
I mostly look for being able to explain the privileges that come with a commercial license, i.e. private/common carriage, and the limitation if you don't have an instrument rating. What can you do with a commercial, such as crop dusting, ferrying aircraft, aerial photography, limited sightseeing, etc. Know all the numbers for your V speeds as well as the operating ranges for oil temp, PSI, etc.
After that still know your VFR cross country stuff. Be able to walk your DE through each phase of the flight and the weather. I also like to see a weight and balance for T/O & LDG for each leg.
From there it's discuss how a constant speed prop works followed by a discussion on at least two of the aircraft systems.
As bonus I like to ask for the 4 different types of flaps.
Where are you taking your checkride? I might have a gouge on your DE if you're not taking it with a check airman from a flight school.
After that still know your VFR cross country stuff. Be able to walk your DE through each phase of the flight and the weather. I also like to see a weight and balance for T/O & LDG for each leg.
From there it's discuss how a constant speed prop works followed by a discussion on at least two of the aircraft systems.
As bonus I like to ask for the 4 different types of flaps.
Where are you taking your checkride? I might have a gouge on your DE if you're not taking it with a check airman from a flight school.
01-26-2009, 04:34 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: USAF
Posts: 1,398
Think every question through before answering... be detail orientated. Everyone covered the regs already... I found that book "Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot" by Richie Lengel very very helpful for the commercial. -
Also know the systems in depth... if you get a chance spend sometime around the hangar with some of the A&Ps. Some examiners like to ask you to show them where x engine part is located... why is it there? what does it do?
On performance data... keep in mind the condition/age of the aircraft.. a 70s twin isn't going to have the same exact performance as it did when it was new... increased oil/fuel consumption, etc. What small parts could contribute to flutter or in-flight seperation? What is critical AoA? Does fuel burn affect c.g.? How(if) does lateral c.g. affect flight qualities?
Also know the systems in depth... if you get a chance spend sometime around the hangar with some of the A&Ps. Some examiners like to ask you to show them where x engine part is located... why is it there? what does it do?
On performance data... keep in mind the condition/age of the aircraft.. a 70s twin isn't going to have the same exact performance as it did when it was new... increased oil/fuel consumption, etc. What small parts could contribute to flutter or in-flight seperation? What is critical AoA? Does fuel burn affect c.g.? How(if) does lateral c.g. affect flight qualities?
01-27-2009, 08:32 AM
#9
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Posts: 23
Here are some suggestions to know and observe:
1. What can a commercial pilot do with their certificate? You need to know this backwards and forwards. They will give you examples and ask if you can legally fly that mission. They may have a tricky or gray area question for you. This is no time to make a bold statement and go where no pilot has gone before. Answer on the side of caution and if it's gray then tell the examiner that you would not fly that mission.
2. Airspace. Know all of your airspace ceilings, floors, entry requirements, speed requirements, etc. Know who to call and when to call when entering class B airspace. Know the permissions for all of the airspaces. They will spend a great deal on time on this and you will cover every airspace. Know which airspaces have towers. Know the spacing requirements in those airspaces. Know all of the items on the sectional.
3. Cross Country Flight Planning. You will be asked to prepare a cross country VFR flight plan. Some examiners will allow DUATS and others will not. If they don't allow DUATS then you will need to do it the old fashioned way. (This will probably be the last time you ever prepare a flight plan the old fashioned way). Make sure you use VISUAL CHECK POINTS!!!! Do not put direct! Spend some time on this. Make sure you have the proper altitudes with room to spare. Mare sure you have plenty of visual check points. Make sure you get all of the briefings for your flight plan. You can print the briefings out on DUATS if you want. There will be 30+ pages including weather. You will be asked about just about everything on your flight plan so make sure you know it. When you begin your check ride the examiner will usually get you to fly the first part of the flight plan and then break off or divert.
4. Know the weight and balance for your plane.
5. Know how to look up and calculate the runway lengths needed for takeoff and landings. The examiner will have you look up things on the POH charts. Know how to do that.
6. Know the fuel capacity and endurance of your plane.
7. Know the day and night requirements for fuel reserve and pilot currency.
8. Know the systems on the plane you are flying. Know the kind of prop. Know the engine. Know what happens when oil goes into and out of the hub. Know the landing gear system and what makes it work. Know what to do if the three green lights don't come on. Know how to switch the light bulb. Walk around that plane and make sure you know where the battery is. Know where the ELT is. Know what each antenna does and what radio it is for.
9. After your oral, make sure that the weather is well ABOVE minimums in order to continue to your checkride. The examiner is testing your decision making capabilities. If you chose to go when the weather is just not suitable then you will fail the checkride before you even get to take it.
I'm sure some others will be along to add to my list. But this should get you started.
Good luck on your checkride!
1. What can a commercial pilot do with their certificate? You need to know this backwards and forwards. They will give you examples and ask if you can legally fly that mission. They may have a tricky or gray area question for you. This is no time to make a bold statement and go where no pilot has gone before. Answer on the side of caution and if it's gray then tell the examiner that you would not fly that mission.
2. Airspace. Know all of your airspace ceilings, floors, entry requirements, speed requirements, etc. Know who to call and when to call when entering class B airspace. Know the permissions for all of the airspaces. They will spend a great deal on time on this and you will cover every airspace. Know which airspaces have towers. Know the spacing requirements in those airspaces. Know all of the items on the sectional.
3. Cross Country Flight Planning. You will be asked to prepare a cross country VFR flight plan. Some examiners will allow DUATS and others will not. If they don't allow DUATS then you will need to do it the old fashioned way. (This will probably be the last time you ever prepare a flight plan the old fashioned way). Make sure you use VISUAL CHECK POINTS!!!! Do not put direct! Spend some time on this. Make sure you have the proper altitudes with room to spare. Mare sure you have plenty of visual check points. Make sure you get all of the briefings for your flight plan. You can print the briefings out on DUATS if you want. There will be 30+ pages including weather. You will be asked about just about everything on your flight plan so make sure you know it. When you begin your check ride the examiner will usually get you to fly the first part of the flight plan and then break off or divert.
4. Know the weight and balance for your plane.
5. Know how to look up and calculate the runway lengths needed for takeoff and landings. The examiner will have you look up things on the POH charts. Know how to do that.
6. Know the fuel capacity and endurance of your plane.
7. Know the day and night requirements for fuel reserve and pilot currency.
8. Know the systems on the plane you are flying. Know the kind of prop. Know the engine. Know what happens when oil goes into and out of the hub. Know the landing gear system and what makes it work. Know what to do if the three green lights don't come on. Know how to switch the light bulb. Walk around that plane and make sure you know where the battery is. Know where the ELT is. Know what each antenna does and what radio it is for.
9. After your oral, make sure that the weather is well ABOVE minimums in order to continue to your checkride. The examiner is testing your decision making capabilities. If you chose to go when the weather is just not suitable then you will fail the checkride before you even get to take it.
I'm sure some others will be along to add to my list. But this should get you started.
Good luck on your checkride!
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