Ready to pass your private pilot checkride with flying colors? If you’re nearing the end of your flight training, this is the final hurdle—and yes, it can be nerve-wracking. But with the right preparation, mindset, and tools, you’ll walk into your checkride with confidence and leave with that coveted PPL certificate.
✅ Pro Tip: One of the smartest ways to prepare is to use a dedicated checkride prep guide like the ASA Private Pilot Oral Exam Guide (Amazon). It walks you through every question and scenario your examiner might throw your way. Highly recommended for last-minute prep.
🚀 Table of Contents
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What is a Private Pilot Checkride?
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Eligibility Requirements Before Scheduling
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What to Expect During the Checkride
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Top Tips for Acing the Oral Exam
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Flight Portion: How to Impress Your DPE
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Common Mistakes That Cause Failures
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How to Mentally Prepare
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Must-Have Checkride Prep Tools
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FAQs About the PPL Checkride
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Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
1. What is a Private Pilot Checkride?
The private pilot checkride is the final FAA-required evaluation consisting of two parts: an oral exam and a practical flight test. It’s conducted by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) who will assess your aeronautical knowledge and flying skills based on the Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
2. Eligibility Requirements Before Scheduling
Make sure you’ve checked all the boxes before even thinking of scheduling your checkride. You must:
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Be at least 17 years old
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Hold a student pilot certificate
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Have a third-class medical certificate
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Logged 40 hours of flight time, including:
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20 hours of flight training from an instructor
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10 hours of solo flight
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Specific cross-country, night, and instrument time
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Passed the FAA Knowledge Test (written exam)
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Have a signed endorsement from your flight instructor
🛠️ Gear Tip: Use an FAA-approved logbook like the Jeppesen Pilot Logbook (Amazon) to track hours and endorsements neatly—it helps keep you organized and impresses your examiner.
3. What to Expect During the Checkride
The checkride starts with the oral exam, followed by the practical test (flight). Expect your DPE to:
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Review your logbook and endorsements
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Check your knowledge of regulations, weather, charts, airspace, and aircraft systems
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Assess your decision-making skills and risk management
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Observe your preflight inspection
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Grade your performance on maneuvers, navigation, emergencies, and landings
4. Top Tips for Acing the Oral Exam
This is where many student pilots freeze up—but you don’t have to. Here’s how to dominate the oral:
✅ Know the ACS: The Airman Certification Standards is your ultimate checklist. Go through each task and make sure you can explain and demonstrate everything.
✅ Understand your aircraft: Know its systems, weight and balance, V-speeds, and limitations.
✅ Use real-world examples: When asked about airspace or weather, refer to actual scenarios using your local sectional chart.
✅ Be honest: If you don’t know the answer, say, “I’m not sure, but here’s how I would find out.” That shows smart judgment, not incompetence.
5. Flight Portion: How to Impress Your DPE
Now the fun part—flying! But remember, this isn’t just about stick and rudder skills. It’s about showing safe, consistent, and decision-based flying.
✈️ Tips to shine:
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Do a confident preflight—take your time, be thorough.
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Communicate clearly—use standard phraseology and stay ahead of the plane.
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Fly within ACS standards—minor deviations are okay if corrected quickly.
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Demonstrate situational awareness—stay alert, anticipate traffic, weather, and airspace.
🎧 Pilot Gear Pick: Invest in a quality headset like the David Clark H10-13.4 (Amazon) to reduce fatigue and keep comms crystal-clear during the checkride and beyond.
6. Common Mistakes That Cause Failures
Avoid these checkride killers:
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Incomplete or incorrect logbook entries
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Misunderstanding airspace or weather interpretation
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Inconsistent performance in slow flight, stalls, or landings
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Poor risk assessment or failure to use ADM (Aeronautical Decision-Making)
7. How to Mentally Prepare
Let’s be honest: nerves are natural. But preparation beats fear.
🧠 Mindset Hacks:
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Visualize success: Go over each maneuver in your head or with a chair-flying session
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Sleep and eat well: Don’t show up tired or hangry
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Talk it out: Review concepts out loud with a peer or instructor
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Breathe: Slow, deep breathing before and during the checkride keeps anxiety at bay
8. Must-Have Checkride Prep Tools
These tools can make or break your prep:
| Tool | Why You Need It | Link |
|---|---|---|
| ASA Oral Exam Guide | Covers all common DPE questions | Buy on Amazon |
| Private Pilot ACS | Know the checkride standards | Download Free (FAA.gov) |
| Jeppesen Logbook | Clean, professional logbook | Buy on Amazon |
| Kneeboard & Charts | Stay organized in flight | Shop on Amazon |
| Pilot Headset | Communicate clearly | David Clark H10-13.4 |
9. FAQs About the PPL Checkride
Q: How long does the checkride take?
A: About 4–6 hours total. Oral can take 1.5–2 hours; the flight around 1.5 hours.
Q: Can I use a checklist during the checkride?
A: Absolutely. The FAA encourages the use of checklists.
Q: Will I fail if I make a small mistake?
A: Not necessarily—if you recognize and correct it safely, you’re demonstrating good airmanship.
Q: What happens if I fail?
A: You’ll get a notice of disapproval with the specific areas you need to redo. You can retest after additional training.
10. Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
Passing your private pilot checkride isn’t just about being a perfect pilot—it’s about proving you’re a safe, knowledgeable, and responsible aviator. By using the right tools, practicing smart, and going in with a cool head, you’ll be one step closer to your first solo $100 hamburger run.
Download our free Pre-Checkride Printable Checklist 📋 and make sure you’re 100% ready before test day.
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