Pilot Checkrides

As a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), I provide the following fixed-wing practical tests:

*Only offered in the following aircraft: Seneca, Seminole, Twin Comanche, Navajo, Cessna 310, Twin Diamond.

I will be available for checkrides in Anchorage June 15 – September 26. The rest of the year checkrides take place at Nevada County Airport in Grass Valley, CA.

I know there is a lot on this page to read, but please do read carefully as it will greatly smooth your checkride day for you. Keep in mind, everything you need to know to book is contained here. Do not email me to ask information that can be found here by a complete reading.

Book Checkride

Consult with your CFI about when to book your checkride. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for it, and factor in potential missed training days due to weather, broken airplanes, etc.

Step 1: Schedule checkride day

In an effort to reduce last-minute cancellations, there is a $500 booking fee required to schedule a checkride with me. This fee will be counted towards the overall checkride price on the morning of your checkride, e.g. if you’re doing an instrument examination ($1200), you will owe an additional $700 at the time of your checkride. Please see Booking fee and cancellation policies for more information.

Also, please include the examination type (private, instrument, etc) and the location (airport, flight school, etc) in the “Comments/Questions” section of the booking form.

Note:

• I will be available in California beginning on October 13th. California checkrides will only be administered from KGOO.
• I will not be available for Alaska checkrides after September 26th.

Bookings are allowed up to 3 weeks in advance. Only dates in blue are bookable. If a day is grey with a slash, it has already been reserved by me as something you can’t book. No, I am not booked out into infinity, bookings are allowed upto 3 weeks in advance.

Calendar
Checkride Booking Calendar

Select date and time:

Your phone number:

Your name:

Your email:

Comments/Questions:

Please enter the security code:

Security Code:

Step 2: DMS pre-approval

I am required get permissions from the FAA to do your checkride. Submit the following FAA pre-approval information by the Wednesday before your test. The earlier the better!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Type of Test *PrivateInstrumentCommercialSingle Engine LandSingle Engine SeaInitial CFI AirplaneCFIICommercial AMEL add onATP AMEL add onCFI AMEL add onMEICFI Reinstatements

If this is an add-on rating, what certificate are you adding to?PrivateCommercialN/A

Retest? *

• Yes
• No

Type of Aircraft

e.g. CE-172-P

Aircraft Registration Number (N number)

Applicant's Name (on pilot certificate) *

Applicant's Pilot Certificate Number *

(Student certificates have this number)

CFI's of time,

Applicant's FTN Number

IACRA Application Number

(If this is not done until just prior to the test, email me the number separately)

Applicant's Cell Number *

Applicant's Email *

Applicant's ID Number, state, and expiration date

CFI's Name *

CFI's Certificate Number *

CFI's Cell Number *

CFI's Email *

Verify date, start time, and location for both ground and flight portions of checkride

Submit

Step 3: Await verification

After you have sent me your FAA pre-approval information, await a reply from me verifying your checkride booking.

Step 4: Follow checkride day checklist

To make sure things go smoothly on the day of your checkride, follow the appropriate checklist below carefully WITH your CFI.  Major omissions or inaccuracies discovered on the day of the checkride could  possibly result in a reschedule or other delay which is inconvenient for both of us.

Once your CFI has signed your application in IACRA, print out the application and bring it to your checkride. That way if IACRA has issues we can still do your checkride. If a knowledge test was required, bring your original knowledge test results and a list of the missed knowledge codes (decoded for me).

Private Pilot Applicant Checklist

Commercial Applicant Checklist

Additionally, please come prepared to take notes for the debrief after the checkride!

Advice

For more checkride, instruction, and safety information, check out my YouTube channel: Northbound Flying

Everyone in interested in a successful checkride – passing with flying colors, the first time.  The following are my recommendations on how to make that a high probability event. There is no magic product to buy online, or silver bullet, that guarantees you will pass your check ride.  It is up to you and your CFI to work diligently together to ensure you are prepared.  Examiners are the final check in the process of certifying you to fly passengers in the national airspace system, and in the real world of flying.  Prepare by being intimately familiar with the ACS (Airmen Certification Standards), preparing 3 times more than you think you need to at least for the private (your first checkride experience), and insisting on several “practice check rides” with your CFI, or a couple of CFIs.  This very importantly should include oral quizzing of the sort that will happen during your check ride – to include SCENARIO based questions.  Put yourself in the flight and imagine things go wrong and what you would do. CFIs – teach and question in mini scenarios all along the flight training journey. This level of preparation will help you feel more at ease and have confidence in your performance. The ACS is your best friend during this journey and is, along with the FAA Handbooks, the matrix examiners use to evaluate; so make friends with these publications.  If you are in line with the ACS, you are on track for a checkride you can enjoy and be proud of.  Examiners love to see preparedness and knowledge of the ACS, and we love to celebrate your hard work with you.  Take pride in your excellence and dedication to the art and craft of being a pilot; you should be proud of your hard work and resilience, and every certification level of pilot deserves to be proud of what they have accomplished.  I look forward to being a part of your flying journey!