For every student pilot, the final milestone before earning a Private Pilot Certificate is the checkride. It is the FAA practical test that evaluates whether you meet the knowledge and skill standards outlined in federal aviation regulations and training publications. Although the word can sound intimidating, the checkride is simply an opportunity to demonstrate that you can safely operate an aircraft and apply sound aeronautical decision making.

The checkride is administered by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, also called a DPE. The test has two main parts: the oral exam and the flight portion. Both sections follow the FAA Airman Certification Standards for the Private Pilot Airplane certificate, known as the PPL ACS. The ACS is published by the FAA as document FAA-S-ACS-6C and it is the official guide that defines every task, maneuver, risk management item, and knowledge area you must be able to explain or demonstrate.

The Oral Exam

The checkride begins with the oral portion. This is not a rapid-fire trivia test. Instead, the examiner will ask scenario-based questions that measure whether you understand the concepts needed to fly safely and make sound decisions. The oral exam commonly covers weather interpretation, aircraft performance, weight and balance, preflight planning, airspace rules, emergency procedures, risk management concepts, and regulations from 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91.

Students should study using the FAA’s standard publications. The most important ones include the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK), the Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH), and the AIM, especially the sections on airspace and communications. These publications form the foundation of the ACS knowledge requirements.

The Flight Portion

After the oral exam, you will complete the flight portion in the aircraft you trained in. Every maneuver is performed according to the tolerances listed in the ACS. You will demonstrate takeoffs and landings, slow flight, stalls, ground reference maneuvers, navigation, emergency procedures, and basic instrument flying.

The examiner does not expect perfection. Instead, the goal is to show that you understand aircraft control, maintain situational awareness, operate within ACS tolerances, and manage risks effectively. You will also be assessed on checklist usage, radio communication, cockpit resource management, and real-time decision making.

How to Prepare

Students preparing for the checkride should review the following FAA materials. These are the official references used by examiners. Your CFI should spend your ground and flight training time preparing for either the oral or flight portion of the checkride. 

1. FAA Airman Certification Standards for Private Pilot Airplane (FAA-S-ACS-6B)

2. Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B)

3. Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C)

4. Aeronautical Information Manual

5. Your Respective Aircraft Pilot Operating Handbook and AFM (Airplane Flight Manual)

6. Regulations in 14 CFR Part 61 and 14 CFR Part 91

We also encourage use of the FAA’s Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for charts and examples, especially for the FAA's written exam (which must be complete prior to your checkride). 

What You'll Need to Bring

1. Government-Issued Photo ID

Examples include a driver’s license or passport.
Must meet FAR 61.3(a)(2) requirements.

2. FAA Medical Certificate

At least a Third-Class Medical Certificate that is current and valid.
Required under FAR 61.23.

3. Student Pilot Certificate

Even though you will be testing for Private Pilot, the DPE must verify your current student privileges.
Required under FAR 61.3(a)(1). This requirement is now completed through IACRA.

4. Logbook With Required Endorsements

This includes all flights, solo flights, cross-country training, and required tasks.
DPEs verify these under FAR 61.51 and 61.109.

5. Written Knowledge Test Results (AKTR)

You must bring the original signed Airman Knowledge Test Report showing your passing score.
Required by FAR 61.39(a)(1).

6. Completed IACRA Application

Your checkride cannot begin without a completed, signed, and certified IACRA application for Private Pilot. It must either be printed or accessible electronically, but the electronic method is strongly preferred, and it will make the process of producing your temporary certificate much more smooth once you pass the examination. 

7. Aircraft Documents (for the practical test aircraft)

The DPE must verify the aircraft is legal and airworthy. You need:

• Airworthiness Certificate

• Aircraft Registration

• Operating Limitations (Found in the AFM)

• Weight and Balance

• Aircraft logbooks (maintenance logs available for inspection)

These fall under FAR 91.9, 91.203, and related maintenance regulations.

✔ Required Instructor Endorsements

All endorsements must be in your logbook or on an attached endorsement sheet.
The FAA requires the following under FAR 61.39, 61.93, 61.103, and 61.109:

1. Endorsement for Aeronautical Knowledge Test

Verifies your instructor found you prepared for the FAA written exam.

2. Endorsement for Practical Test Eligibility

This is the “I certify that this applicant is prepared to take the PPL checkride” endorsement found in AC 61-65H.

3. Solo Flight Endorsements (Historical)

Your logbook must show:

• Initial solo endorsement

• Solo cross-country endorsement

• Each individual cross-country route endorsement (for training aircraft)
  Required under FAR 61.87 and 61.93.

4. Endorsement for Completion of Required Training

Instructor attests that you’ve met all FAR 61.109 minimums, including:

• Night training

• Cross-country training

• Flight by reference to instruments

• Pre-solo maneuvers

• Practical test preparation

5. TSA Citizenship Endorsement

Required by 49 CFR 1552.3(h).

Optional but Highly Recommended to Bring:

• Printed Airplane Flying Handbook excerpts or a purchased copy

• Personal checklist

• Sectional charts and plotter

• Flight computer (E6B or ASA CX-3)

• Calculator

• Kneeboard

• Any aircraft POH study notes

Final Thoughts

The checkride is not meant to trick you. It is a structured evaluation to confirm that you can fly safely, think clearly, and apply the knowledge you gained through training. When you prepare using the ACS and the FAA’s core publications, you walk into the test already familiar with what will be expected. With solid preparation and confidence in your training, the checkride becomes the final step toward becoming a certificated private pilot.

If you are ready to crush your own checkride, Flex Air is ready to help. We have locations in Kansas City (Kansas), Manhattan Kansas, and San Diego California. Our professional CFIs train to the FAA standards from day one, maintain a consistently high checkride pass rate, and specialize in building the knowledge, skills, and confidence students need to earn their Private Pilot License.