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Private Pilot Check Ride Overview

Sep 6, 2025

Overview

This lecture simulates a mock Private Pilot check ride, covering required documents, pilot privileges, aircraft airworthiness, weather planning, flight planning, aeromedical factors, and operational procedures for the check ride scenario.

Check Ride Structure & Possible Outcomes

  • Three possible outcomes: pass, discontinuance, or retest required.
  • Examiner questions are based on ACS standards and real scenario planning.
  • Candidate can discontinue at any time.

Required Documents & Pilot Privileges

  • Must carry pilot certificate, current FAA medical certificate (first, second, or third class), and a government-issued photo ID.
  • Private pilots cannot fly for hire, for compensation, or carry passengers for compensation.
  • Additional endorsements are required for some aircraft types and for instrument flying.

Pilot Currency and Proficiency

  • Flight review required every 24 months.
  • To carry passengers, 3 takeoffs and landings in previous 90 days; full-stop landings required at night.
  • Currency means legal eligibility; proficiency is actual skill level.
  • Personal minimums recommended for safer flying.

Medical Certificates

  • Three classes: first, second, third.
  • First class downgrades to third after 12 months; valid for 60 total months (under age 40).
  • Private pilots need at least a third-class medical.

Aircraft Airworthiness & Documentation

  • Aircraft must conform to type certificate and be in safe condition.
  • Check preflight, maintenance logs, and documents: airworthiness certificate, registration, operating limitations/POH, and weight & balance.
  • Owner/operator is responsible for airworthiness.

Required Inspections & Maintenance

  • Annual inspection needed every 12 months; 100-hr inspection for hire.
  • ELT inspection every 12 months; transponder check every 24 months.
  • Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are mandatory maintenance requirements (find via FAA).
  • Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIBs) are non-mandatory advisories.

Maintenance & Inoperative Equipment

  • Private pilots can only perform preventative maintenance (see FAR Part 43 Appendix A).
  • Record any maintenance in aircraft logs.
  • Unairworthy aircraft may be moved with a ferry permit.

Weather Briefing & Flight Planning

  • Obtain weather from FAA-approved sources (e.g., ForeFlight using National Weather Service data).
  • Review METARs, TAFs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, winds aloft, and NOTAMs for flight.
  • File a VFR flight plan for safety, but only required when crossing certain boundaries.

Icing, Humidity, and Performance

  • Three types of ice: clear, rime, and mixed.
  • Icing requires visible moisture and below-freezing temps.
  • High humidity decreases air density and aircraft performance.

Airspace, Navigation, and Procedures

  • Understand sectional chart symbols, airspace boundaries (Class B, C, D, E, G), and communication requirements.
  • Class C: two-way communication and Mode C transponder required.
  • Know VFR cloud clearance and visibility requirements by airspace.

Fuel Planning and Weight & Balance

  • Plan for at least 30 min reserve fuel (FAA); personal minimums may be higher.
  • Calculate usable fuel for planning; reserve at least 1 hour is recommended.
  • Weight and balance must be within aircraft limits; adjust passengers or fuel as needed.

Aeromedical Factors and Personal Readiness

  • Use IMSAFE checklist: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion/Eating.
  • Be aware of symptoms of hypoxia or carbon monoxide poisoning; take corrective action as needed.
  • Know ear block/sinus block symptoms and remedies for passengers.

Aircraft Systems & Emergency Procedures

  • Know main and secondary aircraft controls and basic fuel/electrical system.
  • Circuit breakers protect electrical systems—reset once if tripped, then investigate.
  • Use forward slip and emergency descent for wing fire; avoid re-entering affected airspace.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Airworthiness Certificate — FAA document verifying an aircraft meets safety and type certificate standards.
  • Annual Inspection — Required aircraft inspection every 12 months.
  • Currency — Legal eligibility to act as pilot in command.
  • Proficiency — Pilot’s actual skill and competence, not just legal status.
  • AIRMET/SIGMET — Weather warnings for pilots: AIRMET for moderate, SIGMET for severe.
  • METAR — Routine weather observation, usually updated hourly.
  • TAF — Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, covering next 24-30 hours.
  • NOTAM — Notice to Air Missions, alerts pilots to hazards.
  • VFR/IFR — Visual/Instrument Flight Rules.
  • Ferry Permit — Special flight permit for non-airworthy aircraft.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review FAR Parts 61, 91, 43 for pilot/aircraft regulations.
  • Practice weather and sectional chart interpretation.
  • Prepare personal minimums checklist.
  • Complete aircraft preflight and weight & balance calculations before every flight.

Full transcript