Checkride Checklist

Dazzler

Dazzler

Well-Known Member
I am preparing an applicant to take the Commercial checkride very soon, and am putting together a checklist of items to help them prepare for the ride.

Am I missing anything important?

------------------------------

On the day before the flight test

Call the examiner on:

<list of phone numbers will appear here>

Find out where she wants you to plan the cross-country flight to, find out her weight for weight & balance purposes, and verify the test fee.

Prepare

- Navigation log for cross country flight
- Current Sectional chart showing route of flight, and checkpoints
- Performance information for your aircraft (e.g. short field takeoff/landing speeds and distances)
- Weight and balance
- Obtain an outlook briefing from the FSS

On the day of the test

- Obtain a standard weather briefing from the FSS, and make minor changes to your flightplan if necessary
- Pay particular attention to the forecast winds:
Where is the wind forecast to come from?
How will this impact entry into maneuvers such as chandelles and eights-on-pylons?
What will your initial pivotal altitude be for eights-on-pylons?

Bring with you to the test

- Cross-country planning material, listed above
- Weather briefing information (e.g. winds aloft forecast, TAF, etc)
- Completed 8710 form
- Examiner’s fee (cash is best!)
- Picture ID (e.g. driver’s license)
- Current pilot certificate
- Current medical certificate
- E6B computer
- Plotter
- Current charts (sectionals, VFR terminal charts)
- Practical Test Standards
- Aircraft POH – tabbed as necessary
- Aircraft maintenance logs – tabbed with current inspections and AD compliance records
- Airplane checklist
- Fuel tester
- Your pilot logbook – tab pertinent information such as required cross countries
- Sheet of paper summarizing required Cross countries, routes, distances
- Written test results
- Current FAR/AIM – tabbed as necessary
- Current AFD – tabbed with local airports
- FAA books (e.g. Airplane Flying Handbook)
- View-limiting device
- Headset (with fresh batteries if noise-cancelling)
- Kneeboard/timer
- Notebook and pen
 
Dazzler said:
Am I missing anything important?
Click to expand...

<<Examiner’s fee (cash is best!)>>

Cash vs Check is irrelevant, IMO. I can't imagine it affects the examiner's inclination to pass/fail.

<<Practical Test Standards>>

Never, ever sent a candidate to a checkride with that. He's already meeting that standard (at least!) or he wouldn't be there. My tool, not his.

<<FAA books (e.g. Airplane Flying Handbook)>>

Never, ever sent a candidate to a checkride with that.
 
Many examiners only accept cash.

A stud is supposed to have the PTS with them.

FAA books can be useful if they have to "look it up."

Many things vary from DE to DE and location to location, so it's really hard to say "Never, ever" and the like.
 
Thanks for your feedback.

tgrayson said:
<<Examiner’s fee (cash is best!)>>

Cash vs Check is irrelevant, IMO. I can't imagine it affects the examiner's inclination to pass/fail.
Click to expand...

It's not a case of pass/fail, it's a courtesy and convenience to the DE.

tgrayson said:
<<Practical Test Standards>>

Never, ever sent a candidate to a checkride with that. He's already meeting that standard (at least!) or he wouldn't be there. My tool, not his.
Click to expand...

When I went for my private checkride, my examiner asked to see my copy of the PTS. When I told him I didn't have it, he seemed put off.

tgrayson said:
<<FAA books (e.g. Airplane Flying Handbook)>>

Never, ever sent a candidate to a checkride with that.
Click to expand...

Useful for looking up stuff if needed - shows preparation. Just like you wouldn't go to a checkride without the FAA's bible - the FAR/AIM. It's there if you need it - better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
 
averyrm said:
A stud is supposed to have the PTS with them.
Click to expand...

I didn't receive the memo on that one.:)

<<FAA books can be useful if they have to "look it up.">>

No doubt, but I've gradually pruned the list of things to take as the years went by and they were never used. Examiners have asked people to look things up in the FARs, AIM, AFD, but never the Airplane Flying Handbook or the PTS. Perhaps having neither available is conducive to their not being used. ;-)
 
I got sucked into the same trap. The DE around where I taught wanted the student to have the PTS ;)

And you have to agree that "never ever send your student with..." is a bit much. They may or may not need it. The AFH probly won't be used, but what if they don't know what P0004 is, they may want a different faa pub to look it up. Plus, if they bring it and don't use it, no big deal; if they need it and don't have it, somewhat of a bigger deal.
 
<<It's not a case of pass/fail, it's a courtesy and convenience to the DE.>>

Yes, but you said it was "better". The general reasoning most people use is that bringing cash means it won't be taxed and is effectively a bribe to pass the candate. Apple to the teacher, so to speak.

<<When I went for my private checkride, my examiner asked to see my copy of the PTS. When I told him I didn't have it, he seemed put off.>>

Sounds like he was unprepared. :)

<<better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.>>

Too much stuff shows insecurity. Student pilots go flying with an enormous duffel bag full of crap. Instructors show up with a headset. ;-) The PTS says bring the FAR/AIM, so not much choice on that.
 
tgrayson said:
<<It's not a case of pass/fail, it's a courtesy and convenience to the DE.>>

Yes, but you said it was "better". The general reasoning most people use is that bringing cash means it won't be taxed and is effectively a bribe to pass the candate. Apple to the teacher, so to speak.
Click to expand...

I understand your point, and it's valid. I will rephrase that part then.
Thanks again for the feedback!
 
Some examiners only accept cash for fear that you'll stop payment on a check if they fail you. Others will take a check. When you call the examiner to get the cross country and weight and ballance info, simply inquire about the preferred method of payment.
 
cash V. check does matter.


For the DE's w2!!

don't make the man pay tax on it... comon... pay cash!

both my roomies work valet and bring home 50-100/night, usually in 1s,5s,10s. I can't wait to see the look on the bank teller's face when they go up with like a G in rolled up cash.

is there a silent alarm for drug dealers? lol
 
Overall the list seems to catch anything that they may need. There are some items on there I have never taken such as view limiting device and FAA pubs, but those seem to be examiner dependent. For my commercial practical, I only took what I could fit into my small backpack. It equated to the Jep comm book, FAR/AIM, folder with paperwork, local sectional, plotter/computer and AFD. That really was all of it and I knowingly left the PTS in the car.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top