CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 3 - 21

CHECKRIDE CHECKLIST
CHECKRIDE CHECKLIST
DPE ANSWERS FOR STUDENTS AND CFIS BY ASI STAFF
EDITOR'S NOTE:
The following is a compilation of questions from CFIs, students, and checkride applicants answered by designated pilot examiners. This forum
intends to provide a healthy and helpful discussion platform for CFIs and applicants who are preparing for their checkrides' oral and practical test
portions. It may also serve to help enhance the applicants' checkride experiences and promote continued learning. Email cfinewsletter@aopa.org
to share your questions.
Q
A
HOW LONG SHOULD THE ORAL PORTION OF A CHECKRIDE TAKE?
The length of the oral part of a sport, recreational, or private pilot
practical test depends on many more factors than one might think.
The key to starting any successful oral is to be organized. If the applicant
is well prepared, if their CFI has helped them prepare their flight logs
and airplane maintenance records, and the examiner has set a relaxed but
professional tone so the applicant is not terribly nervous, the oral can go
very smoothly and be done in about two hours. Of course, the questions
will and should continue throughout the preflight and flight portion of the
test, so the oral really continues all the way to the conclusion of the test.
The oral for advanced certificates can last considerably longer. It is also
important for the examiner to put the applicant at ease. I always preface my
oral exam by asking the applicant to imagine just two pilots talking over a
cup of coffee.
CFI's, please consider ground training (and logging it as is required) to be as
important in preparing a student as getting those landings down perfectly.
I can tell when an instructor has taken time with a student to prepare them
for the oral. The oral is half of the test and the way an applicant handles the
oral gives the examiner real insight into how risk will be managed. You can
tell a lot about a person in a couple of hours before getting into an aircraft
with them.
Q
A
HOW MUCH SHOULD THE APPLICANT KNOW ABOUT
AIRPLANE SYSTEMS?
Knowledge of airplane systems for any pilot certificate should include
the method used in the ignition system of the aircraft used for the
test and its electrical system, flight controls, and environmental controls-
basically all of the airman certification standards items applicable to the
airplane. I ask the applicant questions that assume they are a new owner,
that they must make sure their airplane is inspected properly, and that
they understand the basics of each aircraft system.
The trouble is, many primary certificate applicants have never seen
an airplane with its cowling removed. Please take your students to the
maintenance shop and ask the A&P to show how the cabin heat is warmed,
how the magnetos or ignition packs are arranged, and how the spark plug
wires run from each ignition source. If the engine is carbureted, have them
show how carb heat works; if it is fuel injected, have them show the fuel

CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 14 Issue 3