Checklists For: Checkride Day Preparation and Practical Test

The definitive regulatory compliance handbook and practical test preparation checklist for pilot applicants and recommending flight instructors.

Written by Master Educator and FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor Gary L. Kruger, M.Ed., Checklists for Checkride Day Preparation and Practical Test eliminates the administrative errors, logbook oversights, and airworthiness discrepancies that cause practical tests to be delayed or discontinued before flight evaluation begins.

Drawn strictly from official Federal Aviation Administration publication, including 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91, FAA Order 8900.2 (General Aviation Airman Designee Handbook), AC 61-65, and the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), this handbook provides an exhaustive, line-by-line audit system for applicants at every level of certification.

Inside this guide, you will find:

The Designee Administrative Framework: Understand the legal authority and boundaries of Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) and Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASIs) under FAA Order 8900.2, including how evaluators develop a scenario-based Plan of Action (POA).

Pre-Test Prerequisites & Eligibility: Comprehensive audits covering IACRA Form 8710-1 verification, identification standards, medical/BasicMed rules, knowledge test deficiency retesting mandates (14 CFR § 61.39), and required instructor endorsements.

Aircraft Airworthiness & Documentation: Practical inspections of the required in-cockpit documents (ARROW), a complete maintenance record verification framework (A/V/1/A/T/E), and the statutory four-step analysis for handling inoperative equipment under 14 CFR § 91.213.

Practical Test Protocols & Outcomes: Step-by-step guidance on oral and flight evaluation standards, Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM), Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM), and official FAA protocols for Temporary Airman Certificates (Form 8060-4), Notices of Disapproval (Form 8060-5), and Letters of Discontinuance.

Rating-Specific Experience Audits & Endorsement Schedules: Tailored, regulatory checklists and AC 61-65 endorsement inventories for:

• Private Pilot Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-6C / 14 CFR § 61.109)

• Instrument Rating Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-8C / 14 CFR § 61.65)

• Commercial Pilot Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-7B / 14 CFR § 61.129)

• Flight Instructor Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-25 / 14 CFR § 61.183)

• Airline Transport Pilot Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-11A / 14 CFR § 61.159)

• The Master Checkride Day Timeline: A structured operational checklist covering T-72 Hours (records and airworthiness), T-24 Hours (weather, navigation logs, weight & balance, and performance dossier), and Day of Checkride (table staging, aircraft preparation, oral exam discipline, and in-flight communication).

Whether preparing for an initial Private Pilot practical test or recommending a professional candidate for a flight instructor or ATP rating, this handbook ensures complete regulatory readiness before meeting the examiner.