Common Checkride Pitfalls

Here are some commonly missed items:

ORAL EXAM

• Minimum Equipment List - What is it, how does it work, does it apply to your aircraft?
• Basic VFR Weather requirements 
• Aircraft Inspection Requirements, and how to find them in the aircraft record. Reading it off the status sheet put together by some flight schools does not satisfy the requirement. What inspections are required for a VFR flight?
• How do you deal with inoperative equipment found on a preflight?
• Know how to use your EFB prior to the checkride if using one.

FLIGHT PORTION

• Slow flight must be done within 10 knots of first indication of stall per ACS. 
• Clear turns.
• Complete all steps during engine failure or other malfunction. Not making your landing point is a failing grade.
• Crosswind landings performed incorrectly. 
• Landing without landing clearance / not completing the appropriate checklist. 

Oral Exam

• Know how to read a low altitude enroute chart
• What is an ODP? When can you fly it? When do you not fly it?
• Required reports to ATC.

Flight Portion

• Follow all ATC procedures.
• Dont fall behind the airplane.
• DO NOT GO BELOW MDA - This is exceptionally common on the circle to land maneuver.

ORAL PORTION:

• VFR Weather requirements
• Common Carriage vs. Private Carriage
• Know your specific aircraft systems well.  This takes up a large portion of the oral. 
• Know how to use ALL performance planning charts.

FLIGHT PORTION

• Slow flight standard is 50 feet.
• Power off 180º accuracy landing must be within 100 ft of a specified point. Touching down at excessive airspeeds to hit the point will result in a notice of disapproval.

• Lack of ability to teach.
• Not organized in delivery of subjects. 

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