How hard is a private pilot checkride?

Question

How hard is a private pilot checkride?

Answer 1

I personally found it to be quite easy from an executuon standpoint.  That being said, I have rarely been more nervous in my life.

By the time you get to the checkride, you and your instructor both feel you are ready so if you just stick to what you know, you should be fine.  

Keep in mind, the examiner is not there to fail you and they do not expect you to do everything perfect.  They want to make sure you have a good foundation of knowledge and most importantly, good judgement.

If you are taking yours soon, congrats!

Answer 2

If you paid attention to all your instructors and asked a lot of questions and were given good answers the test will be easy. One secret to passing is that the more questions that you present leading up to the check ride the more "test" information will be given out because the instructor knows what is going to be asked. Keep the instructor talking.

Answer 3

I've only had one so I'm no expert.  Just remember you are the pilot, not the person sitting in the left seat. They don't expect you to be perfect, just safe. Its you that has to make the decisions. When your instructor says your ready then probably are.

Answer 4

If you had a good instructor, the checkride should be easier than the lessons leading up to it.  You aren't expected to do anything outside of what you've done in training.  If there is anything specific that makes you nervous about the checkride, have your instructor review that with you.

The greatest thing about checkrides is that there are no surprises.  Look through the PTS.  Not only does it list everything you will have to do, it also tells you how well you have to do those things to pass!

The examiner is only there to check what you have already learned and make sure that you have had enough practice to be safe for yourself, passengers, and the public.  Most examiners are more concerned with trusting your skills enough to have a family member ride with you than having you do a steep turn with less than 10' of altitude change.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Good question! I believe it depends on how many hours you have, and how confident you are as a pilot. Some pilots are excellent with 55 hours, some with 100 hours. I believe the average is 60-80 hours, but some think it's less.

First of all, your instructor will not schedule you for your checkride unless he's pretty sure you'll pass! You will have done your solo at about 20 hours and your cross country... so unless your nerves get the best of you, you should be ok!

Your examiner will first go over all of your paperwork with great detail, your medical, and your flight log book.

Then he'll explain what is going to happen that day. He'll probably go over what passing and failing is for each aspect of the three-part exam. Then he'll discuss your flight plan. *IF* you fail your checkride, it's not the end of the world. MANY people fail their first ride. Trust me.

First you'll take your written exam, which doesn't have to be done that day, but before your oral & check flight. Then, when you meet your examiner, will start with your oral questions. This will cover a ton of things from weather to aircraft systems.

Then you'll take your flight. You'll do your preflight, then he'll tell you that you are the PIC - etc.

You'll land... safely... and he will take your log book, do some paper work, and either give you a white slip (passing!), or pink slip (fail).

When you are ready for your checkride, you'll know it. There is a lot to know, but if you love flying, you'll find all of this easier than it looks!

Contact me if you'd like a fantastic website with some questions you might be asked, etc.

Good luck and happy flying!!

Answer 6

It's actually not that hard, it depends on how you prepare yourself for the oral and the flight portion. I did really well, and I only had 45 hours total time, but I studied hard and had almost 100% on my written test, so my instructor knew I was ready. Other than  that, it's a little nerve racking but nothing from another world, probably you wont sleep the night before, but it's all part of becoming a licensed pilot xD. It's a great feeling when the examiner tells you "Congratulations, you are  a Private Pilot"!!

Good LUCK!!!