Steps To A Perfect Check Ride

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy

A detailed checklist and study guide for preparing and completing an aviation “check ride,” emphasizing scheduling, coordination with the Flight Test Examiner, and readiness before the flight. It outlines required items to bring, pre-test homework such as weight-and-balance computations and weather briefing preparation, and expectations for carrying a passenger as pilot-in-command. The guide covers oral review topics (certificates, FARs), core technical subjects like aerodynamics, approaches, systems and equipment, weather and lift, and cross-country planning concepts including pilotage and go/no-go decision-making.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Steps To A Perfect Check Ride

Schedule and pre-briefing

What to bring and homework

The oral: certificates, documents and FARs

Aerodynamics and approaches

Local procedures

Systems and equipment

Weather and lift

Cross country

Sky Sailing e-mail [soar@skysailing.com](soar@skysailing.com) [www.skysailing.com](www.skysailing.com) 31930 Highway 79 Warner Springs Ca 92086 (760) 782-0404 Fax 782-9251 Safety Is No Accident Steps To A Perfect Check Ride 1. Schedule your check ride at your EARLIEST CONVENIENCE . Contact Polly Ridgway, the Flight Test Examiner, here at Sky Sailing . Please schedule directly with Polly after approval from your instructor. 2. Contact Polly the day before your check ride for your Cross Country assignment (if required) 3. Get a Soaring Weather Briefing on the morning of your Flight Test . You should call FSS or National Weather Service 1-800-WX BRIEF . Ask for a Soaring Briefing and standard briefing for your crosscountry . You should use the Internet and get appropriate charts & weather maps . Prepare a Stability Chart for the day . This is the first flight you wil1 have where YOU are carrying a passenger, (the examiner), and are acting as pilot-in-command (you will log it as PIC) . Good judgment is even more important to the examiner than the mechanics of your flying. If the winds are stronger than you want, then fly another day . You are already under enough stress; your flight will show this, pick a better day . You might have to do the oral portion one day the flight on another . WHAT TO BRING 􀂉 Current Los Angeles Sectional Chart 􀂉 Weather Briefing (NWS, FSS, & Stability Chart) 􀂉 Current Student Certificate with X-C signed off or Pilots License . 􀂉 Logbook With CFI Recommendation 􀂉 Written Test Results (Unless this is an Add-On rating of the same grade) 􀂉 Completed Application Form 8710, with CFIG sign-off 􀂉 2-33 or Appropriate Manual 􀂉 Check or cash for flight test fee 􀂉 Calculator and plotter 􀂉 Scratch paper 􀂉 Pen and pencil 􀂉 Verify Aeronautical Experience HOMEWORK o Computation of a Weight & Balance Problem from log & Placards . o Complete Weather Briefing NWS, FSS, Internet o Prepare Pseudo-adiabatic Chart o Determine: Trigger Temp, Thermal Index, and Max thermal height o Draw a profile of a WAVE and Ridge Lift o Complete Cross Country Problem o Prepare Emergency Procedures o Prepare a list of Equipment you would need for a Cross Country THE ORAL CERTIFICATES, DOCUMENTS AND FAR's - Private Pilot Certificate, Privileges & Limitations -Biennial Flight Review -Required Documents in Glider (ARROW) - Currency Requirements for carrying passengers - 100 hour and Annual inspections for aircraft -Maintenance as a Private Pilot - Preventive Maintenance -Medical Statement - Personal pilot logbook or flight record - FCC Station license and operator's permit - See SSWS Handout: FAR's FOR GLIDER PILOTS AERODYNAMICS - Straight glides, 3 forces on glider - Turning flight, resolution of forces - 5 Undesired Side Effects of a turn -Relation of Undesired Turning Effects to Airspeed - Slip vs Skid, purpose of rudder - Spin vs Spiral Dive -Effects of Water Ballast - Interpreting performance curves & limitations - Speed-to-fly -Effects of flaps, both positive & negative - Compute Weight and Balance . Explanations of: Over Gross? Aft CG? Forward CG? Movement of Center of Pressure vs CG -Relation of CG to stability and performance APPROACHES - Cross wind takeoffs, 3 phases - Cross wind landings and pattern - Downwind landings -Off-field landings. Field selection and pattern - Landing into very strong winds / x-winds - Ground Handling in medium & strong winds LOCAL PROCEDURES -Noise abatement rules - Class B, Mode C Vail, minimum equipment and ground references - Tow signals (International and Local) - Ground handling (normal and strong winds) -Runway length /elevation /winds /density altitude /glider SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT - Flight manual, equipment list - 3 Types of Oxygen Systems and Limitations, PRICE checklist, Airspeed Indicator IAS, TAS, Density Altitude, Colors, Connections, lag, INOP -Altim

FAQs

How should you schedule a check ride and coordinate with the examiner?

Schedule at your earliest convenience and contact Polly Ridgway, the Flight Test Examiner, after approval from your instructor. Contact Polly the day before for any required cross-country assignment details.

What are the key items and study tasks required before the flight test?

Bring current charts, a weather briefing with NWS/FSS/stability chart, required certificates and signed documentation, a logbook with CFI recommendation, and prepared materials like a calculator and plotter. Complete weight-and-balance computation, finish weather briefing tasks, and prepare a pseudo-adiabatic chart and emergency procedures.

Which topics are covered in the oral exam and technical preparation?

Expect review of certificates and FAR requirements for glider pilots, currency requirements for passengers, and maintenance and medical statements. Technical topics include aerodynamics, approaches (including crosswind operations), local procedures, systems and equipment, and weather/lift fundamentals such as ridge, thermal, and wave flying risks.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy