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Preparing for Your First Check Ride

1) The check ride is a high-stress event where the DPE evaluates if a pilot meets standards to obtain their certificate. However, it's important to keep it in perspective and understand that the DPE's role is serious but not mean-spirited. 2) Reducing the mystery of the process can help lower stress. The Practical Test Standards outline exactly what will be tested, including questions and required maneuvers. Staying within these standards means passing. 3) On the day of the check ride, focus on each question and maneuver individually rather than worrying about past or future tasks. Remain calm and ask for clarification if needed. The DPE wants the pilot to demonstrate they are

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Ibrahim Med
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12 views2 pages

Preparing for Your First Check Ride

1) The check ride is a high-stress event where the DPE evaluates if a pilot meets standards to obtain their certificate. However, it's important to keep it in perspective and understand that the DPE's role is serious but not mean-spirited. 2) Reducing the mystery of the process can help lower stress. The Practical Test Standards outline exactly what will be tested, including questions and required maneuvers. Staying within these standards means passing. 3) On the day of the check ride, focus on each question and maneuver individually rather than worrying about past or future tasks. Remain calm and ask for clarification if needed. The DPE wants the pilot to demonstrate they are

Uploaded by

Ibrahim Med
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Photo by H.

Dean Chamberlain
J am e s W i l l i ams

Know the Score:


What to Know Before Your Check Ride

S
weat rolls down your brow and has long since are entrusted with the responsibility of making sure
soaked through your shirt. Your chest feels tight, you meet the aeronautical knowledge and aeronauti-
to the point that you wonder if it’s about to choke cal skill standards established in the United States for
off all air flow to your lungs. Your hands are so tightly the certificate you are seeking to obtain. When the
clenched on the yoke that you’re surprised the yoke DPE signs your temporary pilot certificate, he or she
hasn’t cracked and broken under the pressure. is attesting that you are competent not only to carry
Why all the stress? It’s just the most important yourself aloft — something you’ve already been doing
landing of your life. No, there are not 200 people during solo practice — but also to carry passengers.
seated behind you in the aircraft. In fact, there’s only A second way to reduce check-ride stress is to
one other person in the aircraft — the FAA’s desig- remove some of the mystery of the process. There
nated pilot examiner (DPE) — and that individual is certainly no mystery as to the range of questions
is administering your very first check ride. The DPE to answer and maneuvers the DPE will expect you
sitting next to you is to demonstrate, because they are all outlined in the
charged with evaluating FAA’s Practical Test Standards, or PTS. Every certifi-
Keeping things in perspective can help
whether you have what cate the FAA issues has some form of practical test;
you manage, even reduce, the stress level it takes to qualify as a there is a published PTS for each one. The PTS lists
occasioned by your initial check ride. fully-fledged certificated both the subjects to be addressed in the oral exam
pilot. The DPE first takes and the maneuvers you should be able to execute. It
you through an oral exam that, from your point of also includes a checklist of what you, the applicant,
view, is a brutal interrogation. And now, this mania- should bring to the test.
cal mystery pilot wants you to perform an endless list While we’d all like everything we do on the
of maneuvers and tasks in flight, inch perfect. How check ride to be perfect, reality often gets in the way.
could anyone pass? One of the most helpful parts of the PTS is that it pro-
vides a range of limits, or parameters, for what con-
Removing the Mystery
stitutes a passing performance. For example, in steep
First things first. Keeping it in perspective can help turns you must maintain your entry altitude +/- 100
you manage, even reduce, the stress level occasioned feet (in addition to other requirements).
by your initial check ride. Just remember that even if Think of the PTS as the rulebook for your check
you don’t pass on the first try, you can always retake ride. Stay inside the rules and you pass. It’s that
the check ride. It also helps to understand that the pilot simple. FAA provides all the pilot PTS documents
administering the check isn’t mysterious, malicious, at no charge online at: [Link]
or even mean spirited. But theirs is a serious job: They ing_testing/testing/airmen/test_standards/pilot/

14 FAA Safety Briefing January/February 2012


How the Salami Gets Made with FAA standards and procedures, but all people
For the sake of this article, we’ll have to make a are different and it helps to know what to expect.
couple of assumptions because the process differs Concentrate on answering each question to the
somewhat depending on how you’re training. For best of your ability. In the airplane, focus on each
the purposes of this discussion, let’s assume you are maneuver as you fly and try not to fret about the next
training under part 61. maneuver or about mistakes you think you made on
Let’s imagine that you’re getting close to com- the last activity. If you are not sure what the exam-
pleting your training. The check-ride process begins iner is asking you to do, ask for clarification. That’s
when your instructor tells you it’s time to schedule part of being pilot in command and, after all, the
this rite of passage with a DPE. As you probably check ride is your first flight as PIC. Don’t increase
gathered from the earlier discussion, DPEs are flight your stress by trying to guess what the DPE is think-
instructors who are authorized by FAA to conduct ing. As with people in the general population, some
check rides on the basis of their skill and experi- DPEs are more gregarious than others. A DPE who is
ence. They usually charge a fee for their time on a mostly silent is not sending you a message of disap-
per-test basis. DPEs conduct almost all private-pilot proval. Just remember that if you complete a maneu-
check rides. If you do not wish to use a DPE, you may ver and the DPE moves on without comment, it most
request a check ride from an FAA Aviation Safety likely means you’re doing fine. You will know if you
Inspector (ASI). To take that route, however, you have not performed in a satisfactory way. If you have
would need a fairly compelling reason. The wait can failed a maneuver,
be long because resources at the local Flight Stan- the DPE must tell
dards District Office are limited. Most people prefer you that and give you Focus on each maneuver as you fly, and try not
to go with a DPE. the option of termi- to fret about the next one, or about mistakes
How do you find a DPE? Many flight schools nating the flight or you think you made on the last activity.
have a list of DPEs in the local area. But you can continuing in order
also search online at: [Link] to get credit for the remainder of the maneuvers that
[Link]. It’s a good idea to ask around and see are performed satisfactorily.
if some of the other pilots in your area have sugges- Finally, try to relax. Take a deep breath and
tions. After that, you or your flight school will sched- execute the plan, just as you have done throughout
ule the exam with the DPE. your training. Remember, the DPE or ASI doesn’t
Now, it’s time to get ready. You may want to want to see you fail. Their job is simply to determine
practice by finding a different instructor to give that you are ready for those wings. Good luck and
you a practice check ride. Take it seriously. Treat happy flying!
the practice check ride just as you would approach
the actual check ride. This dress rehearsal serves James Williams is FAA Safety Briefing’s assistant editor and photo editor.
several purposes. First, it gives you a chance to get He is also a pilot and ground instructor.
used to the experience of being evaluated. Second,
it gives you a chance to get feedback from a different
instructor, which could further sharpen your skills.
Third, it might help you gain experience flying with
an unfamiliar pilot in the right seat.
Take a Deep Breath
On the appointed day, you meet the examiner.
Confidence comes from knowing the standards, and
knowing that you have already flown to those stan-
dards in order to get your instructor’s recommenda-
tion for the test. Remember that the DPE is a person
who has been where you are right now, probably
many times. It’s worth asking the DPE what you can
expect in terms of his or her approach, although most
will provide that information at the beginning. A DPE
Photo by Susan Parson
is required to conduct the check ride in accordance

January/February 2012 FAA Safety Briefing 15

Common questions

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Managing stress during a pilot check ride can be achieved by keeping things in perspective, understanding the Practical Test Standards (PTS), and practicing with a different instructor beforehand. Knowing that even if you fail, you can retake the check ride can help in reducing stress . Additionally, understanding that the designated pilot examiner (DPE) is conducting the test in accordance with FAA standards and is not aiming for your failure can aid in stress management . Conducting practice check rides with a different instructor can provide feedback and experience in flying with unfamiliar pilots, further reducing anxiety on the test day .

Understanding the FAA's Practical Test Standards (PTS) is crucial because it specifies the parameters for a passing performance, covering the subjects in the oral exam and the maneuvers to be demonstrated . The PTS functions as the check ride's rulebook, providing clear criteria for evaluation, which helps candidates focus on mastering specific areas . Familiarity with the PTS aids in reducing anxiety, as candidates are well-prepared for what to expect during the check ride .

Common misconceptions include viewing the Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) as a harsh or antagonistic figure, whereas their real role is to ensure candidates meet FAA standards for knowledge and skills . Such misconceptions can heighten stress levels by creating undue fear or anxiety. Candidates should realize that the DPE is not eager to fail them but is instead interested in verifying their readiness, which can reduce stress when understood . A balanced mindset helps candidates maintain composure and focus during the check ride .

A Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) is tasked with evaluating whether the applicant meets the required aeronautical knowledge and skills for certification . They conduct the check ride following FAA standards and procedures, varying in their personal approach to interacting with the candidate. Some are more gregarious or silent, but their main role is to determine the candidate's readiness without aiming for them to fail . Understanding each DPE's approach can help candidates prepare mentally for the assessment .

Practicing with a different instructor before the check ride can provide several benefits such as exposure to different evaluation styles, feedback from another perspective, and the experience of flying with an unfamiliar pilot, which simulates the actual check ride environment . This practice helps the pilot become accustomed to various expectations and corrections, improving their skills and confidence for the actual assessment .

Ahead of the check ride, a pilot must thoroughly understand the subjects to be covered in the oral exam and the specific maneuvers to be demonstrated, as outlined in the FAA's Practical Test Standards (PTS). They should also prepare the required documentation and ensure their skills are within the defined limits for each maneuver. Practicing with a different instructor can further help refine these skills and prepare them for flying with someone unfamiliar on the day of the test .

Under Part 61 training, pilots typically schedule their check rides with a DPE based on the endorsement of their flight instructor . The flexibility of Part 61 allows trainees to progress at their own pace and seek certification when ready. Although DPEs charge for their services, they are preferred due to their availability compared to ASIs, who might have longer wait times due to limited resources at the local Flight Standards District Office .

Scheduling a check ride with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) usually involves the student's instructor deeming them ready and arranging for the assessment, often coordinated by the flight school or independently by the student through a local DPE list . While most candidates opt for DPEs due to convenience and availability, some may choose an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) for a more formal assessment, often requiring a compelling justification, understanding that this process may involve longer wait times due to limited resources .

Requesting clarification during the check ride is recommended as it demonstrates situational awareness and ensures that the candidate fully understands the instructions before proceeding. This action is part of demonstrating the pilot-in-command role, indicative of the ability to prioritize safety and communication . Not doing so can increase stress by leaving room for guesswork, potentially affecting performance negatively .

Understanding the examiner's communication style aids in reducing misunderstandings and stress during the check ride. While some DPEs may be more talkative, others may be silent. Interpreting silence not as disapproval but as the absence of critique helps candidates maintain confidence. If feedback is not given after a maneuver, it's likely they've performed satisfactorily . This understanding allows candidates to focus on each task without unnecessary distraction or anxiety about the examiner's silence .

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