PPL checkride

A

avdrummerboy

New Member
After seeing all of the checkrides for CFI(I) this feels a bit wierd.

I am still far from my PPL checkride seeing as how I only have 10 Hrs (just hit that mark today :) ) anyway I was wondering just how difficult the practical tests are? What kind of things should I study up on for PPL? Should I be scrutinizing over my every move from preflight to postflight or are there main topics to be examined on? I downloaded a copy of the PTS and am starting to go through it and hope to get a lot of practice in when I start soloing (I am ready for non-crosswind day soloing.)

Also for the oral exam what things are most emphesized (sp.?) Or is it kind of up in the air what will be asked?

Any and all advise would be great. And thank you in advance.

PK
KD7WNJ
 
avdrummerboy said:
After seeing all of the checkrides for CFI(I) this feels a bit wierd.

I am still far from my PPL checkride seeing as how I only have 10 Hrs (just hit that mark today :) ) anyway I was wondering just how difficult the practical tests are? What kind of things should I study up on for PPL? Should I be scrutinizing over my every move from preflight to postflight or are there main topics to be examined on? I downloaded a copy of the PTS and am starting to go through it and hope to get a lot of practice in when I start soloing (I am ready for non-crosswind day soloing.)

Also for the oral exam what things are most emphesized (sp.?) Or is it kind of up in the air what will be asked?

Any and all advise would be great. And thank you in advance.

PK
KD7WNJ
Click to expand...

There are two answers to your questions really.

First is that you should become familiar with the PTS Standards. Those are the guidelines set out by the FAA that outline what a Practical Test "should" consist of and what the minimum standards are.

Second, Every examiner is different and they all have their areas of emphasis. So its hard to say what will happen on your practical exam.

As far as scrutinizing every move from pre-flight to post flight. Yes you should pay extra attention to everything you do. These are the building blocks for everything you do in the future. Bad habits started now will be hard to break later. Try as hard as you can to do things the right way everytime. This will only help you in the long run.
 
The private is always the most stressful. You don't know what to expect. After five checkrides, I've gotten pretty used to checkrides. I think it was at my third checkride (commercial) that I actually almost forgot I was on a checkride. I felt like I was just flying with a new person. I think if you get into that mindset, it's not as bad. Don't get lazy though. Make sure you study and prepare.
 
Also remember...on the PPL, the examiner isn't out there looking to bust you. He or she wants to see that you have general pertinent knowledge, can fly an airplane to a standard and ultimately see that you're safe and safe to others. They're not looking for perfection.
 
Depending on how your instructor is, or if you have to do any stage checks along the way, the checkride may seem really easy once you do it.

Of course, that does not mean that you can slack off. You need to have the knowledge and skills. It just seemed easy to me after tough stage checks.
 
Try sitting in the back of some flights of newer students, I still do that and its amazing how much you learn from others mistakes and then listening to the instructor's explanations.
 
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