Checkride day checklist

Weeks before: make sure you're eligible to take the test.

• At least 17 years old and able to read, speak, write and understand English61.103(a) and (c).
• All Part 61 flight experience logged40 hours total, 20 dual and 10 solo, including the cross-country, night, instrument and test-prep requirements in 61.109. Your logbook must show each one.Open →
• Knowledge test passed, with the original test reportThe airman knowledge test report is valid for 24 calendar months (61.39(a)(1)). Your instructor must review the ACS codes you missed.Open →
• 3 hours of test prep with your instructor in the last 2 calendar months61.109(a)(4) and 61.39(a)(6)(i).
• Medical certificate or student pilot certificate in handYour current medical certificate (or BasicMed documents, if you qualify) and your student pilot certificate. Confirm with your DPE.

Get these signed and filed before you schedule.

• Endorsement for the knowledge areas (61.105) and flight proficiency (61.107)Your instructor's logbook endorsements that you received the required training.
• Practical test readiness endorsement (61.39 and 61.103)Your instructor certifies you're prepared and that the deficient areas from your knowledge test were reviewed.
• All solo and solo cross-country endorsements in your logbookThe DPE will check your solo history against 61.87 and 61.93.
• IACRA application (FAA Form 8710-1) completed and signed by your instructorCreate it in IACRA with your FTN, have your recommending instructor sign it, and give the application ID to your DPE.
• Checkride scheduled with a DPE, and the fee confirmedDPE fees vary; ask how they want to be paid and what cross-country they want you to plan.

The week before: confirm the airplane is legal and ready.

• Required documents on board: airworthiness and registration certificates, operating limitations (POH/AFM), weight and balance91.203 and 91.9. The DPE often starts here.Open →
• Maintenance logbooks tabbed: annual, 100-hour if used for hire, ADs, transponder, ELT91.409, 91.413, 91.207. Bring the actual logbooks and tab each inspection so you can find it fast.
• Any inoperative equipment handled under 91.213Placarded and deferred correctly, or fixed.
• Airplane booked for long enough, fueled, and the POH availablePlan on about 2 to 3 hours of oral and 1.5 to 2 hours of flight.

The night before: plan the trip the DPE gave you.

• Cross-country fully planned to the DPE's destinationRoute, checkpoints, headings, times and fuel on a nav log.Open →
• Full weather briefing, with a go/no-go decision you can explainMETARs, TAFs, winds aloft, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, PIREPs, NOTAMs and TFRs.Open →
• Weight and balance and performance computed for the actual conditionsTakeoff and landing distances, density altitude, and the CG at takeoff and landing.Open →
• Reviewed the ACS tolerances for every maneuverSteep turns ±100 ft, slow flight +10/-0 kt, short-field touchdown within 200 ft, and the rest.Open →
• Ran a full mock oral and a mock checkridePractice saying answers out loud.Open →

Pack the night before.

• Government photo ID, student pilot certificate and medical61.3.
• Your logbook with all endorsements
• Knowledge test report (original)
• Current sectional and Chart Supplement, or a current EFB with backupMake sure the databases are current.
• Plotter, E6B (or approved electronic), nav log, pencils
• Weather briefing printout, W&B and performance calculations
• DPE payment, headset, sunglasses, water and a snack

Morning of.

• Slept well, ate, and checked IMSAFEFatigue and stress are real. It's okay to reschedule.
• Updated weather and NOTAMsOpen →
• Arrived early with the airplane preflighted or ready to preflight with the DPE
• Remember: you can ask the DPE to repeat a question, and say 'let me look that up' in the POH or regsKnowing where to find answers is part of the test.