My PPL checkride is tomorrow and I am a nervous wreck.

But that's besides the point.

I am wondering, once I get my certificate, if I will be able to fly any ASEL or just the make and model I took my test in (C-172)? Can I go rent a 152, or do I need a checkout (not exactly sure what that entails) in it first? What about low-wing aircraft?

 

Don't let checkriditis bite you in the butt!
Remember - I'm sure that your instructor wouldn't have signed you off if s/he didn't feel that you were ready to pass your ride. Just do things the way you were taught and have practiced and I'm sure all will be good. The checkride is NOT the time to try and be inventing new and improved ways of doing things.

As far as what you can rent, well a lot of that depends on what the FBO requires. You will be qual'ed on ASEL. I went right from the C-150/152 to the Piper Warrior and Archer because I liked the throttle quadrant and the low wings of the Piper line. I did have to get checked out in the aircraft before the FBO let me rent them though if I remember. Nothing more than a FAM flight basically. Now one FBO I rented at for a little time required a separate checkout FOR EVERY AIRCRAFT IN THE FLEET! Read that again If you wanted to rent two different C-152s, an instructor checkout was required in each!

Enjoy yourself. Take things nice and slow. Don't rush. Feeling under the gun and under extra duress (the checkride itself) will cause you hurry and try to do things before you are ready.

USMCFLYR

 

To clarify what USMCFlyer said-

As far as the FAA is concerned, once you pass your checkride you are qualified to fly any "Airplane, Single-engine Land". From cessna to piper, as long as it has one engine and can only land on terra firma, your good.

Now, insurance (the FBO's) is another thing completely. Even though the FAA says your qualified, any FBO you rent from will most likely require you to go on a check out flight with one of their CFI's. This is a requirement under the FBO's insurance and has nothing to do with the FAA. Plus is probably a good idea so that you can learn and become familiar with the aircraft with someone who is familiar with it.... ie- a piper doesn't land the same as a 172.

Good luck on the check ride. Just do what your instructor taught you (don't try to show off or try something different) and you'll do just fine!

 

To clarify even further, there are certain ASELs for which the FAA (as opposed to an FBO or insurance company) will require additional training and endorsements. Complex, high performance, and tailwheel airplanes are three of them.

But, of course, the privileges and limitations of your new pilot certificate were covered in your training and will probably be asked about in the oral part of the checkride - after all, it's the very first PTS task.

In terms of insurance/FBO requirements: Generally, all it involves is a "checkout." Some study, perhaps a written quiz that covers the operating characteristics or the airplane, and a flight with a CFI to run through a series of tasks to show that you can handle this make/model. The first checkout is generally the most difficult (relatively speaking). It's sort of like the first time you drove a different car after you got your drivers license - it probably felt a little weird not having the same references you were used to in your "training car." But like the car, the aircraft transitions get easier as you do more of them and realize the the similarities of these airplanes far outweigh their differences.

So get that private certificate and have some fun!

 

Good luck on the checkride. Yes FBOs for insurance purposes will require a checkout prior to letting you rent an airplane. After my PPL I wanted to fly a Skyhawk at another FBO but I had to get a checkout to rent it even though that's the only plane I had been flying for the last couple of years. Of course if you decide to jump to a different make and model, it is not only a requirement but would be very wise for you to obtain a thorough checkout. Good luck again.

 

I have 14,000 hours; over 2,000 in a C172 and I had to do a two hour check out with a brand new CFI to rent the plane!

 

Be honest Otto, you scared yourself at first, yes? I got checked out in a 150 and scared the snot out of myself. It came back after a little while.

 

The first time I flew a piston after 10 years in a jet, yes. Now I fly GA and stay current and I still need a thorough checkout because the FBO requires it. The sight picture going from a 777 to a Mooney was fun!

 

I bet it was !

Talk about habit patterns.....I blew tires on my first two landings in the simulator during initial in the KA

USMCFLYR

 

I hear fun stories from CFIs at the FBO of those who fly biz jets who seems to forget the basics like raising the nose to get back on glidepath or standing on the brakes in a 172 after touching down.