Do you schedule your student's checkride or do you let them?

kevmor99

kevmor99

Well-Known Member
I'm just curious what other CFI's do. When I did my own checkrides, I scheduled basically all of them myself (chose an examiner, etc). I have a student that is ready and I've signed him off, but he'll go a few weeks sometimes without flying and I'm concerned he may start to get rusty by the time he schedules his ride (which he's said he wants to schedule it).
 
I usually give them the number to an examiner and said call them. I don't want to play secretary (admin assistant, whatever) when I have neither of the schedules of two busy people.

With that said, I try to do a final lesson within 3 days of the checkride if possible.
 
It sounds like it varies from freelance CFIs to flightschools. Mine were mainly arranged for me though a couple of times I knew DPEs so wanted to use them.

I think for PPL students you should explain it and help them through as needed, beyond that they have a say in the process (as long as they're not looking for Father Christmas)

It used to be suggested I save the DPE fee and fly with the FSDO but I think those days are over.
 
When they're ready, I usually sit down with them and make the call on speaker. If we get a voicemail, I leave/left the students number as the call back.
 
When I worked at my 141 college program, we had a policy of instructors scheduling checkrides. This came from several instances where the students jerked around the DPEs, such as cancelling at the last minute or scheduling a checkride before getting signed-off. My normal routine was to discuss the DPE options with the student, pick one, then call them on speakerphone. This was nice because I could listen in on the conversation and make sure the student understood everything (like what to flight plan, etc.). During checkride season I used to call the DPEs every so often and get an idea of their availability, too. I always felt like it would be a poor reflection on me if the student messed up scheduling the checkride, and I liked maintaining a good relationship with our DPEs.

Another tip I preach is make sure you have a "pre-checkride" meeting a day or two before to proofread ALL the paperwork & logbooks, and be present when the student meets the DPE and starts the checkride.
 
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