CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 2 - 20

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
WHEN THE APPLICANT HAS A TECHNICALLY ADVANCED
AIRCRAFT WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON USING AN AUTOPILOT
AND FLIGHT DIRECTOR?
This depends on the test and the scenario. For a private pilot
demonstrating unusual attitude recovery on a test, an applicant
demonstrating use of a " level " button on the autopilot might actually be the
best resource and the safest course of action in real life. But it might not
demonstrate the applicant's skill to properly right the aircraft manually in
accordance with ACS standards. There is a balance here and that balanced
approach is one that will be tested in most practical tests. On instrument
practical tests, an examiner will test both hand flying skills and systems
management skills. The applicant may be asked to hand fly an approach,
but also to use automation and fly one of the approaches coupled. This
demonstrates their proficiency in physically manipulating the aircraft
manually and their ability to manage and operate the automation systems
of the aircraft. Expect to do both on a test.
Q
A
FOR THE PRIVATE PILOT CHECKRIDE, WE COULD BE ASKED TO BE
IN SLOW FLIGHT AND THEN PERFORM A STALL AT AN ANGLE. THIS
HAS THE RISK OF A SPIN, SO SOME CFIS DON'T TEACH IT. SHOULD WE
KNOW HOW TO DO IT?
A turning stall is certainly fair game for a private pilot on a test. The best
way to think of this is the encounter of a stall while at a slow airspeed
in a situation such as a turn from base to the final leg of a traffic pattern. This
would certainly be tested at sufficient altitude (not actually in the traffic
pattern at lower altitude). A private pilot should not be tested on an accelerated
stall-as might a commercial pilot-but a turning stall might be tested.
continued on next page
Nugget of Wisdom from ASI's CFIs
* The examiner is a resource for you to use; while their help maybe limited, they are
there to help you scan for traffic and may even hold charts and nav logs for you.
* Don't hide mistakes hoping the examiner won't notice because they will.
Admit a mistake (hopefully not a big one) right away, say why you made it, and
then apply corrective action. It will demonstrate your ability to quickly identify
and correct errors, even your own. Taking that attitude into the cockpit with
student pilots also builds instant credibility.
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 2

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