5 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Checkride
Your checkride is coming up, and your stomach is doing barrel rolls. Trust me, I’ve been there. Here are five things I wish someone had told me before I sat down with the examiner.
1. The Oral Isn’t a Pop Quiz, It’s a conversation between you and the DPE
One of the biggest surprises for student pilots is that the oral portion of the checkride isn’t meant to trick you. The Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) wants to see that you understand the concepts, not that you’ve memorized every FAR word for word. Think of it like explaining flying to a really curious friend. If you can talk through weather decisions, airspace rules, and your aircraft systems in plain language, you’re in great shape.
My tip: practice explaining concepts out loud to a non-pilot friend or family member. If they can follow along, you’re ready.
2. Your DPE Wants You to Pass
This one took me way too long to believe. Your examiner isn’t the enemy. They’ve dedicated their career to aviation, and they genuinely want to see new pilots succeed. They’re not looking for perfection. Their focus is finding a pilot who shows safe, competent decision-making. So take a breath. You’ve put in the work. Now show them what you know.
3. Chair Flying Is Your Secret Weapon
If you’re not already chair flying, start today. Sit down, close your eyes, and mentally walk through every maneuver, every checklist, every radio call. Visualize yourself in the cockpit. Where are your hands? What are you looking at? What does the view outside look like during a steep turn?
Chair flying builds muscle memory without burning Hobbs time, and it’s one of the most effective (and free!) tools in your training toolkit.
4. Have a “What If” Mindset, Not a “What Now?” Panic
During the flight portion, your DPE may throw some curveballs: a simulated engine failure, an unexpected diversion, or an unfamiliar airport. The key isn’t having a perfect answer instantly. It’s showing that you can think through the problem calmly and make a safe decision.
Practice scenarios with your CFI leading up to the checkride. The more “what if” situations you’ve worked through, the less likely you’ll freeze when one comes up for real.
5. Get a Good Night’s Sleep (Seriously)
I know, I know… that is easier said than done when your brain is running through emergency procedures at 2 a.m. But fatigue affects your judgment, reaction time, and confidence. Treat the night before your checkride like the night before a big flight: eat well, hydrate, and do something relaxing. You’ve studied for weeks. One more late-night cram session won’t make or break you, but being well-rested will.
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Your checkride is a milestone, not a final exam. It’s the beginning of your journey as a pilot, not the end of your training. You’ve got this! When you come out the other side with that temporary certificate in your hand, it’ll all be worth it.
Fly safe and blue skies,
Amber
“The engine is the heart of an airplane, but the pilot is its soul.” — Walter Raleigh
