What's on the oral?

The oral exam incorporates those items in the Practical Test Standards (PTS) that are usually asked on the ground. The PTS draws you to reference material to be used to form the questions and for you to answer it. It's okay if you don't know the exact reference. However, the other reference you have should say essentially the same thing as the FAA reference. As an example, Area of Operations I in the Private Pilot PTS, draws a reference to AC61-21A. This is the Flight Training Handbook. This book was rewritten and is now called the "Airplane Flying Handbook" and it's reference is FAA-H-8083-3. It was released in 1999. You should also use the Pilot's handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge AC61-23C, the Current FAR/AIM, Weather Services Book AC00-45D and the Airport Facilities Directory when preparing for the oral exam. You can use question books like ASA's Oral Exam Guide to help you focus on areas that you may need more work on. The main thing that I must test on is your knowledge and it's practical application to flying. It's no good when you know what inspections are required on the airplane, but are then unable to find them in the aircraft logbooks. This is an example of knowing facts and figures and not knowing how to apply them to a practical flight.

Do I have to get every question right?

Not really. The idea is that you must have Private Pilot knowledge in each area of operation in the PTS. If you can't answer a specific question, the examiner will usually then focus for on a few other questions on that area to determine if you know enough about it. Some things however you should know the answer to right away. Those things are related to items that you couldn't readily look up in flight, wouldn't have time to look up or are things that your planning for that day flight should have taken care of. An example is the airspace system. You must know what airspace you will be flying in or else how will you know when you are VFR? there really is not enough time in an airplane to look up airspace.

When do I have to pay the checkride fee and what are the conditions?

You must pay for your checkride before the test begins. The FAA makes it clear to us that we are to collect the fee prior to the beginning of the test, so that it won't bias the test. Weather you pass or fail, there is no refund. I collect the checkride fee as the first or second item on my checklist, before eligibility has started. It's a real nuisance when the applicant comes to the checkride with missing endorsements, missing flight time, lost knowledge test results, etc... Remember that I have allotted 4 or so hours for this test and probably driven some distance to get to your location. It's not very fair to find the applicant is ineligible, then for me to drive back to your location and loose the income for the 4 hour checkride. This is how I make my living, so each test counts. Again, most people are prepared and this is not an issue for the most part. It's particularly a problem on the Commercial and Commercial Multi Engine checkride.

Can Examiners do an evaluation before doing the real test?

YES. There are a few exceptions, but it is permitted. I charge the same fee for a flight test or evaluation. An evaluation isn't conducted as a flight test so there can be no pass or fail.

What are the correct endorsements to use?

Even though you're not responsible for making endorsements, it's in your best interest to know if your flight instructor has entered the correct entries in your logbook. There is a big problem with endorsements. The main problem is that whatever words and references the CFI uses in your logbook must be looked up in the FAR's by the examiner to be sure that he has covered all the correct things. To make things complicated, your CFI may not look in ALL the places in the FAR's. For example, if you only looked at the Private Pilot section of the FAR's and made endorsements fro that section, you'd be missing at least one required endorsement. That's because the endorsement is located in another section of the FAR's. The best way to avoid complications, is to use the endorsements that I've provided at the end of all checkride notes. The cover everything. Another important item to check is that you are current to fly as PIC on the checkride. If you're a Student Pilot, make sure that you have either a solo endorsement in the past 90 days or another 90 day solo endorsement in your logbook.

What should I study for preparation for the checkride?

You should get all of the references that are referenced in the PTS for the test you are taking. If you study these, and can use the FAR/AIM and know where things are in the AFM, POH, etc.., you should be well equipped for the test.

How am I tested on the practical test?

You are being tested to the correlation level on the practical test. That means that you need to have the ability to take facts, charts, etc. and put them into practical use on the checkride.

How Long does the whole test take?

Regarding the Private Pilot checkride this depends upon quite a few things, but if you're the average applicant, we have an average day and an average airplane, then we should be finished in 4 hours from walking in the door to leaving. This can vary due to weather, the way you answer questions, how prepared you are, how busy the airport is etc.

The instrument checkride takes almost the same time.
The commercial checkride usually takes a little less time as the airplane is faster
The Multi Add on's take the least time as the Area's of Operation are less and the airplane is quicker. If there are no instrument tasks then we can finish in 2 to 3 hours. Add about 3/4 hour for the instrument tasks.

What happens if I Fail?

Remember that the first time pass rate is quite high so this is unlikely; however, if you don't pass the test you will be issued a Notice of Disapproval. This is commonly called a Pink Slip. This form will specify the area of operation that you failed as well as any other areas that were failed or not tested. The Notice gives you 60 days to finish the test or you have to repeat the entire test. You have to arrange retraining with your flight instructor, have your instructor give you an endorsement in you logbook attesting to the retraining, fill out another 8710-1 form, arrange a new time with the examiner for your retest and pay the retest fee ($250.00). Not the best of days, but at least you are normally given credit for some of the test.

What happens when I pass!

You will be given a Temporary Airman Certificate that immediately makes you current pilot certificate invalid. You can use this as your pilot certificate for 120 days. You should have your new one in the mail before that. No further action is required by you.

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