Learn from others, not just from us. Post your checkride experiences here so that others can learn from your successes and mistakes. CFIs and FAA Designated Examiners are also welcome to post their checkride preparation suggestions.
Name: Ryan State/Province: New York Sent: 12/13/2011 06:00:11 am
I came to this site for info on both the Private and Instrument Checkrides. This site has been a GREAT help for both of them. I did my private back in March of 2010 and the ride was flawless and some tips such as taxi slowly on the centerline, relax, and always talking through each maneuver was excellent advice. Passed it the First try.
The instrument was a bit tougher, but that was expected from such a tricky rating. This site was a load of help aswell. I passed it the first try, there were however, 2 points of the checkride that i could have failed it. First was I forgot to set my Transponder after receiving my clearence. I caught this on the pre takeoff checklist at the runway. The second was almost doing the wrong approach. My examiner wanted me to do the VOR/DME Runway 24 into POU but mistankley opened the VOR-A Runway 24. After briefing I noticed it was the wrong approach, re-briefed the correct one, flew it, and that was the last of them. Passed first try. Ill be using this site for my Commercial ASEL checkride when the time comes!Name: Guy State/Province: NC Sent: 05/27/2011 04:26:54 pm
I failed my oral last week. Make sure you go over all the simple stuff from your Private before you do commercial. After a few months or even a year, you might be a little rusty on a few areas. Be confident and don't change your answers. I will do just fine on the next one. Good luck to you all!Name: C. T. State/Province: Liberal land, CA Sent: 02/09/2011 06:34:46 am
Finaly passed my Private. Took 3 times. 2 instructors, 2 different planes. 1st time, last summer, didn't make it through the oral, way light in knowledge. Took it mid Jan,11'. Made it through the oral, but DPE was not satisfied. Gave me questions to answer at next appt. We differed on some of the answers and what I was taught. (aggreed to disaggree). On 3rd try was windy as hell, 25 w/35gusts. He was suprised to see me and not cancel. It was smooth up @ 010, so we went. He abbreviated the clearing turns and check list usage to perform tasks. He told me 3 times if I was not comfortable to complete the tasks we could stop and I would get credit for the tasks performed. I said we are going to finish. Everything went well until the last task short field landing. We were at an A/P on top of ridge with trees all around, very gusty. I set up long on final to be right on but was long, 50' before I touched down I pushed the power in just as he said a go around was not a failure. He asked me again if I wanted to stop, I said no we are going to finish. I set up short on final, drug the tail in the trees on the back side of the curve, he told me don't land short, I told him I was'nt. Passed the threshold, cut power and drop it in a little hard, that I thought would fail me. He said nothing, told me where to park, told me to bring my log book in. I couldn't take the suspense, so I said did I pass? He said, hell yes you did! 20 months of work finaly paid off!!!!!!!!!!!!Name: Fayaz State/Province: PA Sent: 12/21/2010 07:01:46 pm
Passed my IFR single engine today. Read the PTS, the oral guide, and make sure you know as much as possible about approach plates, low altitude enroute charts, AFD, SIDs, ODPs etc. Know the instruments in your airplane. The oral was a breeze. The DE was a very nice gentleman and I admired his professionalism. Did an ILS, localizer, and a GPS approach. It was bumpy and windy so I had to hold over 30 degree crab on the localizer. All in all, it was a great learning experience. One more tip on the oral. If you don't know something, admit it. Definitely do not make something up, because you will only be fooling yourself. The DE knows you are making it up and he will not like it. I didn't get every question right, but learning from my PPL oral, I realized, if I don't know something, I should admit to it.Name: CJ State/Province: ND Sent: 09/14/2010 06:09:02 pm
Two weeks ago, I passed my commercial SEL ride. It definitely was challenging but not ridiculously hard. Know your systems, know where to look up limitations and abilities of the airplane, and above all, RELAX!! You DO perform better the more relaxed you are.Name: 172 Pilot State/Province: Western US Sent: 09/03/2010 10:19:56 pm
Get a good nights rest before your checkride. I didn't and somehow passed but was a nervous wreck inside because it was so hard to perform as I had done before (but with a good night's rest). Do not cram the night before!Name: Jim State/Province: PA Sent: 09/02/2010 12:18:34 pm
Read your tips for PPL. Good point about the forward slip flap limitaions in some planes. The 172 I flew was placarded for "Avoid forward slips with full flaps" but when I discussed with my CFI, he said it was legal speak to cover Cessna's behind, and that I can perform fwd slips with FF, no problem.
Sure enough, at the conclusion of a great checkride, I wound up high on final. I fwd slipped with full flaps, and just before touchdown was told to go around. The DE pointed at the placard and asked me what it said.
Gulp. I explained that I knew of the placard, and that I had asked my CFI about it specifically. The DE thought for a few moments, then said. "It's not optional. No fwd slips with full flaps. That's why it's there. Mind if I land?" I gave him the controls, and he landed us. He gave me back the plane after we cleared the runway.
I asked "So does this mean I failed?" He acted surprised, and so "No, not at all. You did fine. I haven't flown in a while and felt like shooting a landing. Just tell your intstructor that I'll fail the next student he sends me who does a fwd slip with full flaps. You did fine, you're a safe pilot. Congratulations."
Phew!Name: gil State/Province: Texas Sent: 08/31/2010 09:16:45 pm
scheduled my Checkride in a few weeks.. thanks for the helpful info.Name: Jake Sent: 04/22/2010 05:55:04 am
I just soloed in a 172 this past weekend, looking forward to the checkride this summer sometime. Thanks for the info on this website.Name: Mike Y. State/Province: OH Sent: 02/05/2010 10:26:04 am
The weather here in Ohio hasn't been great but I finally passed the instrument checkride last week. The info on this sit was very helpful. The realization that my CFI would only sign me off if I was ready really helped me. All I had to do was avoid stupid mistakes, which is really what flying is all about.
