All pilots have taken at least one, and possible several check rides in their flying career. The check ride, most often taken with an FAA Designated Examiner, is the practical flying test administered by the FAA to determine if the pilot applicant's piloting and aeronautical decision making skills meet Federal Aviation Administration standards.
While it may not seem like it to the applicant, the examiner must adhere to a rigid set of flight standards. These standards are set out in the Practical Test Standards (PTS) book, which is usually included in the ground school set of books. The examiner is required by the FAA to vary the tests to the extent that the examiner does not ask the same oral questions or follow the same pilot exam scenario. However, the practical test standards are exactly that, a minimum standard or tolerances that need to be met in order to complete your checkride with confidence.
As a pilot applicant, it is imperative that you think and perform along the lines of exceeding the minimum standard.
With this is mind here are just a few tips the Private Pilot Applicant:
- General Aeronautical Knowledge - Lack of knowledge will haunt and maybe even kill you! I tell students to replace some of there escapist literature with interesting aeronautical classics, like the FAA Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Stick and Rudder, Airmanship and other timeless classics to give you s solid aeronautical foundation from which to build on! A strong knowledge base leads to a strong (and often times casual and relaxed oral), which leads to a successful flight.
- Practical Test Standards - The PTS subject area is a course syllabus. A syllabus outlines what your are required to know for your chosen academic and or vocational training course. If you do not know or have forgotten due to disuse (very normal), do not say I do not know; advise the examiner where you would locate this critical safety information. For example, I do not recall the answer, however, I can find that information in the Pilots Operating Handbook, is very acceptable. If you have the book in your flight bag during the Oral, it would be a great idea to pull the book and point out where you would locate this knowledge.
- Situational Awareness – An aeronautical chart is a geographical depiction of the region you would like to navigate. All Pilots are Aerial Geographers weather we know it or not. I recommend starting with the chart legend and then use the legend to identify the various types of airspaces you see and would encounter on your planned cross-country flight. Know the airport you are flying to, runway lengths, services, etc.
- Aircraft Knowledge – What are looking for during your walk around and preflight check? Open the engine cowling and go over the cylinders, magnetos, carburetor or fuel injectors, etc. Start from the prop and work your way back to the tail of the aircraft. For example, why is the propeller twisted that way? How do would you translate power from a 150 bhp engine to a 350 bhp engine if both engines have the same RPM setting? What is the purpose of magentos and a dual ignition system? How many quarts of oil can a Lycoming engine run on? How many cylinders (jugs) can a lycoming on and still give you enough power to remain airborne? Do you see what I am driving at? Systems. Here is the logic that any good examiner is looking for. . . if you know how things work, then you will know how the system works. System knowledge leads to performance and limitations knowledge and superior piloting skills, which will serve you well as a trusty servant and treat a system problem as a planned event rather than an emergency since you were able to maintain your composure through total situational awareness!
- Weather Knowledge – Go to the airport before each lesson and obtain the ATIS, METAR, TAF, SIGMETS, AIRMETS, Winds Aloft, Satellite images, etc. Read, Interpret and Analyze the weather so you can make a decisions about your flight, destination and alternate airports. Practice using DUATS from you home, go outside, observe the weather and compare to the reports. Is what you se what you get? When you take your check- ride bring printouts of the weather and know the winds and what if effect they will have on your track, takeoffs and landings.
- Command and Control - Once in the airplane, assume the role of Pilot in Command. You are. The examiner is your first legal passenger so brief him/her on emergency procedures.
- Cockpit Resource Management - Use a checklist. Do not start, taxi, run-up, without a checklist. Use the radio to communicate your intentions. Make sure you keep you eyes outside the cockpit and watch for traffic.
- Pilot Skills –Loosen you grip as much as possible. Use positive affirmations by telling yourself I want to have fun today. This should be the easiest part of the ride, since have been flying above standards or PTS tolerances. If the examiner is combining maneuvers and you are a little confused than ask for clarification with the examiner as to what and when each task is to be performed. For example, many examiner like to transition there applicants from slow flight to a power off or power on stall. Do not forget to keep the aircraft tidy with your checklists, and balancing the fuel tanks, trim, etc.
- Pass or Recheck – No big deal even if you are going to the airlines. Do not believe most if not all of the hanger talk. The basis of nearly all learning is through error and experience (you can tell the interviewer this too). Big deal if you have to go back and recheck on the item(s) Nearly everyone passes the check ride the first time. But if it takes you a second try....do not despair. The examiner has flunked check rides, as have all pilots with any experience at all. Just get some extra training, and you will earn that pilot's license!
I want to give you something to think about and remember throughout your piloting career. Take a good look at your temporary airmen’s certificate and later on your private pilots certificate. Place the word Professional before Private, because that is exactly what you need to be in order to be PIC!
