The Real Talk About Checkrides (That Your CFI Won't Tell You)

Let me start with a confession: I've done 9+ checkrides in my career, and I still get nervous before each one. Not "oh gee I hope this goes well" nervous, but "did I remember to put on deodorant this morning?" nervous.

Here's what nobody tells you about checkrides: they're mostly theater. Everyone involved wants you to pass. The DPE doesn't want to do extra paperwork. Your CFI's reputation is on the line. You obviously don't want to fail. It's like going to a restaurant where the chef, waiter, and owner all want you to have a great meal.

So why do people fail? Usually because they psych themselves out or show up unprepared. Let's fix that.

The System Actually Works (When Everyone Does Their Job)

The checkride system is pretty elegant when you think about it. Your CFI teaches you to meet the Airman Certification Standards. The DPE shows up assuming you already know everything. You get a chance to prove them wrong.

Most DPEs are former CFIs who genuinely love aviation. They're not trying to trick you—they're trying to make sure you won't kill yourself or someone else once you have that shiny new certificate.

The secret sauce? Everyone wants you to succeed.

What You Actually Need (Beyond the Obvious Stuff)

Yeah, you need your medical, logbook, knowledge test results, IACRA application (8710 forms are mostly gone now—everything's online), and all that. Your CFI should brief you on the paperwork. But here's the stuff that actually matters:

The ACS Is Your Bible

Read the Airman Certification Standards cover to cover. Not skimming. Actually reading. I'm amazed how many students show up not knowing what they're being tested on. It's like taking the SAT without knowing there's a math section.

The ACS is way better than the old PTS because it integrates knowledge, risk management, and flight skills into one document. No more guessing what the oral will cover.

Areas of Emphasis (The Real Test)

The ACS has built-in areas of emphasis that get extra attention on checkrides:

Collision avoidance (looking outside, not just at instruments)
Runway incursion avoidance (knowing where you are on the ground)
CFIT awareness (terrain and obstacle avoidance)
ADM and risk management (thinking like a real pilot)
SRM (single-pilot resource management)

If you can't nail these areas, you're not getting a new rating. Period.

The ACS Integration Approach

The ACS is smarter than the old system. You still have a traditional oral examination, but now you'll also get scenario-based questions throughout the practical flight portion. Knowledge, risk management, and flying skills all get tested together.

During the oral, expect traditional knowledge questions. But during the flight, you might be asked:

"What would you do if weather deteriorated ahead?" (while actually flying)
"Why are you choosing this altitude?" (during cruise climb)
"How would you handle an engine failure here?" (over terrain)

It's not just "can you fly the maneuver" anymore—it's "do you understand WHY you're doing it and what you'd do if things go sideways?"

The DPE wants to see you think, not just regurgitate.

The Mental Game (Or: How to Not Lose Your Mind)

I learned this the hard way after getting way too nervous on an early checkride and nearly psyching myself out. Here's my system:

Thought Stopping

When you start spiraling into "what if I fail" mode, literally say "STOP" to yourself. Out loud if you have to. Replace that thought with something useful.

Positive Affirmations (Don't Roll Your Eyes)

I know, I know. But this stuff works. Before every checkride, I tell myself:

"I'm prepared for this"
"I know this material"
"This is going to go well"

It sounds cheesy, but your brain believes what you tell it.

The First Impression Hack

Smile when you meet your DPE. Not a fake airline smile, but a genuine "nice to meet you" smile. Look them in the eye. Shake their hand.

You just went from "random student who might waste my day" to "friendly person I want to help succeed." Psychology matters.

The Single-Pilot Resource Management Reality Check

Modern checkrides aren't just about stick-and-rudder skills. They want to see Single-Pilot Resource Management(SRM). This is fancy talk for "can you think like a real pilot?"

The Big Six Areas:

Aeronautical Decision Making: Use the DECIDE model, 3P model, whatever. Have a process.
Risk Management: PAVE checklist, I'MSAFE, 5P model. Know your tools.
Task Management: Prioritize. Don't try to reprogram the GPS while on final approach.
Situational Awareness: Know where you are, where you're going, and what's changing.
CFIT Awareness: Don't fly into things. Use terrain displays if you have them.
Automation Management: If the airplane has an autopilot, know how to use it (and when not to).

This isn't academic anymore. Airlines are hiring pilots straight from Part 61 schools, and they expect you to think like a professional from day one.

The Practical Stuff Your CFI Might Forget

Verbalize Everything

If you don't say it, the DPE might not notice you did it. "Clear left, clear right" before maneuvers. "Positive rate, gear up" on takeoff. Call out your checklist items: "Engine failure checklist—mixture rich, prop high, carb heat on."

Make it obvious you're thinking like a pilot.

Have a System for Everything

Weather briefing: Same sequence every time
Preflight: Use a checklist, even if you could do it blindfolded
Radio calls: Standard phraseology from the AIM
Emergency procedures: Memory items first, then checklist

The Examiner Pet Peeves List

Don't do these things:

Ask "did I pass?" mid-checkride
Wing it on IACRA paperwork (complete it accurately before you show up)
Make stuff up when you don't know something
Argue about standards or procedures

Quick Ways to Fail (Don't Do These)

The FAA gives DPEs zero discretion on certain things:

FAR violations (automatic fail)
Exceeding aircraft limitations (automatic fail)
DPE has to take controls (automatic fail)
Unsafe attitude or operation (automatic fail)

Everything else is somewhat subjective, but these are hard stops.

The Real Secret

Here's what took me years to figure out: the checkride should be the easiest part of your training.

If your CFI did their job, you should walk into that checkride confident you can handle anything the DPE throws at you. The hard work happened during training. The checkride is just proving you learned it.

If you're not feeling that way, you're probably not ready. And that's okay—better to wait and nail it than rush and fail.

What Happens When Someone Fails

Real talk: people fail checkrides. I've been fortunate enough to pass all of mine, but I've watched plenty of students go through the process. It sucks, but it's not the end of the world.

You get a pink slip (Notice of Disapproval) that lists what you failed. You only have to retest on those areas. Most people pass the retest because they know exactly what to study.

The only people who care about checkride failures are:

Airlines (if you have multiple failures)
Insurance companies (sometimes)
You (until you pass)

One failure won't kill your career. A pattern of failures might raise questions.

The Bottom Line

Checkrides are scary because they matter. But they're also predictable. The standards are published in the ACS. The process is standardized. The DPE wants you to succeed.

Show up prepared, stay calm, and fly like you've been trained. The rest takes care of itself.

Remember: thousands of pilots pass checkrides every month. You're not special—in a good way. If they can do it, so can you.

Now go study your ACS and quit worrying about stuff you can't control.

You've got this.

Quick Checklist for Success

Two weeks before:

Read the ACS start to finish
Practice all maneuvers to standards
Review areas of emphasis
Plan your cross-country

Week of:

Complete IACRA application
Double-check aircraft documents
Practice integrated knowledge/risk management scenarios
Get good sleep

Day of:

Show up early
Smile and be professional
Verbalize your actions
Trust your training

The checkride is just a test of what you already know. Nothing more, nothing less.

P.S. - Big thanks to all the DPEs and CFIs who've shared their insights over the years. The ACS has modernized the process, but the fundamentals of good preparation and professional attitude haven't changed.