How hard is the Private Checkride??

[tcco94]

I'll be taking my private check ride soon and was wondering how hard it is. I'm not worried that I can't do everything under the PTS standards but I'm just worried I might not do everything as perfect as the PTS standards say I have to be.

I currently only have 28 hours, I soloed in 9 and just flew my solo cross country yesterday. I'm flying about 5 days a week and my instructor tells me that he thinks I can get my PPL in 40 hours because I'm his best student. It defiantly gives me a confidence boost but on the other hand worries me that I might not be as great as other people that have flown for 70 hours because I really haven't been flying for as long.

So my question is...how hard is the check ride? I'm not worried about failing because I know if I go into the check ride worried about failing then I'll fail but as far as my first ever check ride goes I'm just nervous about performing under the pressure and how much the examiner will critique me.

I remember my driving test the DMV girl I was with almost failed me for going 2 MPH over the speed limit in a residential and I forgot to use my blinker when turning next to a curb with no cars. 2 mistakes that were totally practical and I almost failed...got -9 points.....is the Private Pilot check ride like that, where a small mistake that obviously isn't any harm will get me close to a fail?

[wifesaysno]

My dad has done a fair amount of instructing and dealing with FAA check airmen and has been (and is) a check airmen on several aircraft in corporate aviation. Corporate aviation standards have an expectation of much higher precision than private. Some check airmen seem to be complete dicks on a power trip (hello FAA) while others it seems you will end the day at the bar with. However, as many pilots have told me, you must be relaxed during your check ride. Also remember that if you feel you need to practice more, there is no harm in doing that. My dad always, even after 10years of flying the Falcon 10, always spends days an enormous amount of time practicing for his check rides. Might as well view it as a challenge to see how precise you can be!

[EricFSX92]

I just soloed at 40 hours. It took me some time to gain confidence in myself but i got it down. I think of the checkride from time to time and my instructor reminds me what they would ask of me or expect me to do. So far I have discovered they will fail you for even the slightest things. It will definitely be something you want to prepare for in everyway.

[Flying Trucker]

Goodly morning Tyler...

Well Tyler I have a little flying experience, about 65 years and 3 Log Books full of memories...

I was a check pilot and Instructor on DC3s, 4s, 6s, Consolidated PBY5As/Canso, a few DeHavilland Aeroplanes also.

Almost every First Officer going from the right to left seat were just like you, worried they were going to make mistakes.

I used to track the aviator down before the check ride and go for a tea, coffee, etc. and start talking about anything but aviation and the check ride.

By the time we got to the aircraft, we were both equals, both aviators...just like in your case.

Do not worry about the amount of hours you have, your instructors will tell you when you are ready and that is all that matters.

A good idea is to run through a check ride with your instructor.

The most important thing is to relax, be yourself, the person that will be doing your check ride is just like anyone else, they put their shoes on one at a time...

Look them right in the eye when doing your check ride, perhaps all you will see is your instructor...

Of course if they are the opposite sex of your instructor try not to laugh out loud...

Education and experience are what make an aviator, you have about 40 hours of experience, far more than the average person walking down the sidewalk.
Education, well every flight will be a learning experience, just like this check ride.

Savour it, relax and just do what your instructor showed you, nothing more, nothing less.

One last thing, I always told my students to look at the person doing the check ride as a student pilot or friend and you are about to teach them something.

That is right, you are about to teach this person what you know about flying and do it.

[SaultFresh]

Doug nailed it.
I haven't been flying nearly as long as him, only 5 years... one log book but in my short career (so far) I've had multiple flight tests. The PPL flight test only seems bad for the very reason you're thinking. It's your first time, you don't fully know what to expect, and you're scared of making mistakes. Like Doug said, just relax. I remember on my PPL flight test, me and the examiner talked about F1 racing for an hour or so before the briefing. Now, I'm not too familiar with the FAA, as Canada has some similar, but different rules :/ I would still imagine the flight test maneouvres to be graded based on certain tolerances. Remember that, haha. And don't let one mistake bother you. If you mess up a Steep Turn, don't dwell on it, because then you'll mess up other stuff. Just keep your head about you, and you'll be just fine :0)
Good luck,
Another Doug

[Fozzer]

I'm presently watching "Bush Pilots", on British TV each evening at 8:00 PM...>>>

http://uktv.co.uk/dave/series/tvseries/257711

Some useful tips on training for a PPL, with new recruits vying for places...

Well worth a watch.

Paul.

[Flying Trucker]

Sorry a little off topic...

Paul, I have looked all over to find that program and I just can not find it.

Can not seem to find Ice Pilots anymore either.

Canadian television needs to be revamped...

[Fozzer]

Sorry a little off topic...

Paul, I have looked all over to find that program and I just can not find it.

Can not seem to find Ice Pilots anymore either.

Canadian television needs to be revamped...

Hello Doug...

Its one of those Trans-Atlantic Peculiarities!.... ...!

Some programs we can get..others we cant!... ...!

"Bush Pilots" is presently broadcast each weekday evening, via a British "Freeview" set-top-box, on the; "Dave" Channel.

An excellent series, filmed similar to;" Ice Pilots" and "Ice Road Truckers", etc, but this time in Central Africa.... ...!

Maybe it will be made available on other Channels, later?

It illustrates just how difficult/impossible? it is to get a job as a Private Pilot, in competition with many others, aiming for the same job!

Paul...poking about in the bushes!... ..!

[SaultFresh]

You can't get a job as a Private Pilot? :/
As for Ice Pilots, have you tried downloading the episode using a torrent? I haven't really followed the show much. So I don't really know what's out there. I started following Flying Wild: Alaska instead
Might have to look into this Bush Pilots show as well. I've also heard of this show called "Dangerous Flights" airing on Discovery, haven't found any trace of it around anywhere, but some guys I work with talk about it... Sounds intense.

[tcco94]

Thanks for the help guys. I talked it over with my instructor and he told me that he won't be putting me into the check ride unless he thinks I'll fail. We're gunna go over maneuvers again because we haven't done those in about a month and see which once I know and which ones I need to work on. I still need to burn 5 hours of solo flying but have a 3 hour cross country weekend that will fill that big gap.  8-)

[Rocket_Bird]

Just try to prepare as you can and give your mind some time to be cool and calm for the day of your ride.

[SaultFresh]

I talked it over with my instructor and he told me that he won't be putting me into the check ride unless he thinks I'll fail.

I hope that was a typo

[tcco94]

I talked it over with my instructor and he told me that he won't be putting me into the check ride unless he thinks I'll fail.

I hope that was a typo

I didn't even notice that.....Let's hope he doesn't want me to fail....

[beaky]

Trucker pretty much laid it out... but it bears repeating that you should definitely do a mock check ride with your instructor. Or better yet, a different instructor... in fact, it's routine for students to do a "stage check" with another instructor prior to the ride with the DPE. This will give you a taste of what it's like to fly with some unfamiliar presence next to you, watching you. Another instructor might also think of some little thing your regular CFI hasn't made quite clear to you yet, or some new "trick" that might be useful.

I'll also add that it doesn't pay to worry too much about your maneuvers, landings, etc... what is being evaluated is your ability to command, not your ability to fly like a "natural." Besides, if you can't make a 45-degree banked turn with the ball centered and not lose or gain less than 100 feet of altitude, you need more review, anyway.

[tcco94]

[quote]Trucker pretty much laid it out... but it bears repeating that you should definitely do a mock check ride with your instructor. Or better yet, a different instructor... in fact, it's routine for students to do a "stage check" with another instructor prior to the ride with the DPE. This will give you a taste of what it's like to fly with some unfamiliar presence next to you, watching you. Another instructor might also think of some little thing your regular CFI hasn't made quite clear to you yet, or some new "trick" that might be useful.

I'll also add that it doesn't pay to worry too much about your maneuvers, landings, etc... what is being evaluated is your ability to command, not your ability to fly like a "natural." Besides, if you can't make a 45-degree banked turn with the ball centered and not lose or gain less than 100 feet of altitude, you need more review, anyway.