REAL Student Takes Mock Checkride for Private Pilot

Gold Seal Online Ground School presents this Private Pilot Mock Checkride.
Examiner Todd Shellnut tests the private pilot applicant, David Yang, in a mock oral test. Todd also debriefs the instructor, Damian Morrissy, on areas the student excelled in as well as areas to reinforce.
Prepare for your pilot certificate at groundschool.com.
Get ready for our upcoming Instrument Pilot Mock Checkrides too!

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

This CFI is a work of art. The instructor no way prepared this student for a mock checkride. Student no where near checkride.

[@hmrbruce]

I want to Thank the student for putting himself out there to help students like me. Thank You. That had to be tuff

[@willleaton2827]

I listened to a lot of mock checkrides before my own checkride, and the ones that you guys do are great, but if I could just offer 1 bit of feedback: since it's a mock checkride, it would be very helpful for the listeners if the DPE could correct the students incorrect answers, and fill in the correct answer when the student doesn't know. If the student gives an incorrect answer and the DPE just moves on from it, the listeners might think that the answer was actually correct, or if the student is omitting a lot of answers, then the listener isn't really learning anything. Otherwise, these mock checkrides are monumentally helpful, and I appreciate you guys for making them 👍

[@gimilkhad8169]

I agree. I was thinking maybe some subtitles could be added later with the correct answers at the appropriate points in the video

[@scapilot1980]

I think the purpose of this is to gauge your knowledge based on the questions asked. If you know the answers, then you know them. If you don't, then write that question down and dig into some study materials after. I get what you're looking for, but this is supposed to be ran like a simulated oral exam and in the spirit of keeping it as authentic as possible, it's best to keep moving forward.

[@feliciaragsdale]

Best comment on here!!!

[@coqueto45]

Not exactly sure...

[@domlosurdo3432]

What I've seen other channels do is put a disclaimer in the beginning saying "hey, this is a simulation, learn from the questions not the answers" sort of thing. Better than nothing but it's a whole lot easier especially without a fulltime editor

[@Dawsondive]

Who ever put this kid up for this must really hate him 😂 They had to have known his level of knowledge. Poor guy got thrown to the wolves.

[@ketannold8404]

Well to be fair this is a mock check ride so this is probably his school looking at if he is ready for the real one

[@eduardopalomino320]

I wish I could get thrown in like that! It’d be a great learning experience. It would definitely help me find out the areas I’m lacking in. I’m sure this student went home and made sure he knew all those questions he didn’t know the answers to.

[@andrewgonzales589]

@@eduardopalomino320i recently bombed my mock checkride and did this exact thing. It was great to see first hand which areas I really was weak in so I could focus on those a lot better

[@patriceschrama2625]

Really painful to watch

[@dgillphotos]

Back to the books.

[@lukaszgelardi1163]

I'm starting to think this video is less of a mock oral video and more of a roast...? 🤔 This student is owed a ton of beer for having volunteered for this lol

[@brycegule3589]

These videos by Todd really helped me pass my checkride, I just passed yesterday, Thank you!

[@crisccavida1101]

Congrats man.

[@jyellowhammer]

Congratulations brother!

[@LifeWithMatteo]

Studying for my checkride and feel 97% ready for the oral. This video- along with your guys’ ground school makes a huge difference in my confidence and knowledge!! Thank you for making this video

[@GoldSealFlight]

You're welcome, Matteo!

[@yungghost5889]

CFI here just wanted to know how the checkride went?

[@CamilaSilva-ye1sy]

@@GoldSealFlight Could you make a video with the correct answer for the ones who are studying for this? by the way, is really helpful this material, thank you so much

[@LifeWithMatteo]

@@yungghost5889 passed!!!! I’m now on my 3rd week of instrument training. Thanks for checking in!

[@bige6560]

The student did a great job for being put on the spot like this especially on camera. I hope he was able to learn from this, and for everyone dogging on the student dont forget where you came from.

[@eluwsive1550]

yeah i see everyone just shitting on the student which isn’t why this was posted lmao

[@adamsimar7788]

Man. I feel so bad for this kid. He was a trooper for sitting through this.

[@coleyoung912]

Todd is always such a breath of fresh air!

[@GoldSealFlight]

He certainly knows his stuff!

[@massagetherapymatters]

These are fantastic videos for checkride preparation. Any chance, even though is extra editing work, you could superimpose the correct FAR/AIM or answer to questions posed? That would be imvaluable in using these videos to study.

[@whiteclaw22]

I watched it until the end. I'm relieved to know he has over 5 weeks left, as throughout the video I thought he was supposed to be ready and I was terrified for him.

[@liamlongthorne6708]

Great to hear, was watching this and couldnt make it past 5 minute mark. Definitely hope he switched his answers to "checkride format" (never saying he doesnt know, not answering things the DPE didnt ask etc).

[@littobud]

@@liamlongthorne6708 Wouldn't it be better to say you don't know and would like to look it up, rather then making something up.

[@tylerbrown4483]

@@littobudit would be best to say something like “I would have to look that up in FAR 91.13” then just crack the book, find the answer, and explain what it means. It’s okay to not know but you should be able to prove you know right where to look and demonstrate familiarity with the material once you’ve refreshed your memory. It’s not that saying you don’t know is bad in itself, it’s just being like “gee I don’t know” and leaving it there, offering no further knowledge or evidence for the examiner that if this came up in a real situation you could competently arrive at the right answer.

[@StuntmanJake]

I wish the instructor had given the answers to the questions the student was not able to answer rather than simply moving past to the next question.

[@MikesGarageReviews]

Me too

[@StorBenn]

Russ, you helped me passed my ground school in 2010. It's such a pleasure to see you still going.

[@erewnoh]

Wow, great stuff. I'm going through ground school at the moment (2 weeks left) and felt confident answering all of these questions.

[@JBeehive2016]

Thank you for this video again. I watched the very first mock checkride too.

[@oldlineaviation2830]

I aced my Sport Pilot checkride back in July after watching videos like these with Todd. There is a lot that can be learned here. Not every answer this young man gave is correct. You need to study so that you can rely on your knowledge. If you don't know it is ok to say that, but know where to find the answer. Good luck to all those studying.

[@joshuagalt6533]

Todd is the man!! Watched your other Mock Pilot Checkride videos to help me prepare for my chreckride, and passed 3 weeks ago! Thanks for the super helpful content

[@presentforduty4568]

Thanks for posting this!!! The candidate knows what he needs to focus on now. Great video.

[@GoldSealFlight]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful.

[@papishampoo5235]

These are really helpful! One thing I would add is when the student doesn’t know an answer, it would be fair if you can provide it instead of moving on. It helps solidify if the answer I’m thinking is correct. I know in the real world the DPE will not answer any question you don’t know but since this video is for training purposes it would help a ton. Thanks!

[@user-kd2ob5nn4p]

Great video. Those were some really good questions that were asked.

[@user-vh1re5oe7q]

This is very good knowledge testing not tormenting! 👍Good examiner.

[@soylarenia]

this was a great video! Huge help on what the actual process is like

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

Good point on the feature on rectangular airport vs Round on Foreflight. I will address that. Instead of trying to dig down to the runway length.

[@CptShaquilleOatmeal]

Great video, I’d love to see a re run of this after this student studies more.

[@bradleygyhra421]

This was awesome. Thanks gold seal.

[@dominictrifiletti7145]

Very good video but It just stands out to me that this man needs a lot more studying time before his checkride. Also he needs to make sure that whatever answer he gives he’s confident cause ik my examiner would ask more questions about that topic if I was unsure but all in all good luck to him!

[@telvinthomas6407]

Gold Seal never disappoint!❤😊

[@bitcoinforex6963]

Awesome video ! So much information provided .

[@njbpaul]

Thanks for sharing this Russ . I found this to be one of the most informative mock orals on KZbin The candidate was very honest on things he didn't know. I learnt a lot from that . Kudos to him for putting himself out there for thousands to watch . Thanks to Tod as well for doing this

[@GoldSealFlight]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@shawnnance3670]

🤣

[@shawnnance3670]

If you actually believe that, you're screwed. Go watch Seth Lakes podcast if you want to actually learn something..... kzbin.info/aero/PLPXQn2xPjpDcd30M2eu4oTht8oPE1jg7Z&si=OoDYtLBI0u6P56MB

[@yalinghe8407]

Thank you! This is so detailed and helpful!

[@limeyB-star-D]

hope to have such a great Examiner to give me a mock checkride, best way to learn is not knowing an answer - never forget it again!

[@connorjensen2784]

This poor kid looks so stressed

[@frankielynnband]

I was just about to schedule my check ride and this video made me realize I’m not quite ready yet. Thank you!

[@oldlineaviation2830]

That is good decision making right there. If it helps, I went through my entire PTS (for Sport Pilot) and I took the ACS, wrote every standard down that they asked and cross referenced it with the FAR so that I had a study guide. It worked for me but your mileage may vary.

[@brycegule3589]

Thats good, when do you plan on taking it frankie. Im about to take mine too.

[@frankielynnband]

@@brycegule3589 keep getting delayed cause of weather here in Michigan unfortunately

[@frankielynnband]

@@oldlineaviation2830 thanks!

[@blindbutcher2484]

Good content guys. You guys helped me a lot for my IRA test.

[@GoldSealFlight]

We'll have a new Instrument Checkride out in a few weeks. Subscribe to the channel so that you get the alert.

[@piper0428]

Excellent presentation!

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

Since I am so old fashioned, I look at the paper sectional for the Legend. I also used the paper chart to plot my Cross country. I use Foreflight and Goggle Earth to help me find the landmarks. I also did my X-country by hand on a paper chart. Boy am I old fashioned. Also used my Mechanical E6B for a few of the points then had to switch over to my E6B to get it done faster. PS, will need to practice on getting the legend on Foreflight.

[@LuisHernandez-kw6rt]

Man this was such a good refresher. I hope you guys are considering Instrument and Commercial those would be a hit in my book! 😂

[@GoldSealFlight]

We have a new Instrument Oral Exam video coming out next week. It's planned for 10/3.

[@jasonbt]

Great information! I appreciate you putting this kind of content out for the rest of us.

[@GoldSealFlight]

You're quite welcome, Jason. Visit our FB group at facebook.com/groups/goldsealgroundschool

[@kennetroberto]

Wish me luck I have my Checkride coming This Week!

[@Justin-ny8df]

I have my PPL checkride on Monday and this video taught me that I'm ready to smoke for the oral. I appreciate the upload!

[@GoldSealFlight]

Looks like the timing was right! Best of luck to you on Monday.

[@josephtorres3522]

How did it go?

[@Rawbful]

I felt as though this would have been more helpful with a student who was a little bit more prepared for the checkride. We were all at this point so no disrespect to the student but he is nowhere near the point of having a chance to pass the checkride. For that reason, most of this video was not helpful for me to listen to as someone who is getting close. I think it would be better to have someone who has almost the right answers to most questions with room to improve. Thanks for the video either way though. Just my thoughts.

[@Rawbful]

I will say I ended up having some more time to let this play out and the student did much better as it went on. The beginning was rough.

[@mitchellmimier5004]

First of all thank you for creating another checkride video. These are ALWAYS appreciated and I know these videos are just to help us understand what a checkride might look like. And any video with Todd is also always appreciated. My recommendation for the future would be to pick students who are a little further along in their training and can answer more questions. For instance, not knowing how to read a complete METAR (or even knowing the name of it, in this case) shows he still has a long ways to go before he's ready, and this can make these kinds of videos a little more difficult to watch. Kudos to him for being willing to go on camera though. That takes a special kind of bravery.

[@GoldSealFlight]

Thanks for the comment, Mitchell!

[@scapilot1980]

This guy was five weeks out from his check ride. This is a PERFECT scenario to demonstrate live how the process works. And to bring awareness to others who may be close to their check ride that maybe you're not as prepared as you think you are.

[@zachthomas7810]

Yes this video has flaws as people correctly point out; but as someone getting ready to take the same ride it’s hugely helpful to see the format and go through the questions that will likely be asked instead of just reading the acs and phak. You don’t often see full mock orals like this with a real dpe and student. Thank you for making this

[@adamdeland5770]

Thank you for the video and to Todd for presenting a good example of typical private checkride oral questioning. I am a CFI and I came to this video seeking material to use in my own mock checkride exercises with learners. I will point out an error that I noticed in the latter part of the video regarding symbology on the Savannah airport diagram. I believe Todd indicated in the debrief that the zig-zag or Z-shaped lines across the runways dictate the LAHSO operations, which is incorrect. In fact, these symbols indicate arresting gear (which is not applicable to civilian pilots but is applicable to military use which makes sense since we see Georgia Air National Guard base areas labeled on the diagram at SAV). The LAHSO lines are drawn much closer to the intersection of the runways directly adjacent to the "LAHSO" labels and are straight dashed lines across the runway.

[@hordi1ful]

Good race, thank you!

[@infamousaesthetics]

This is amazing! I have my cheforide coming up this really humbled me

[@GoldSealFlight]

Thanks! Hope it helped you as you prepare for your own checkride!

[@russellshermer8114]

Russ, these videos are so helpful. I was in this young man’s shoes just three years ago and definitely remember the feeling. I’m an ATP now at an airline and still find these videos so incredibly helpful for flight students. I watched your last video with Todd when I was getting my PPL and it was very helpful. I agree this student needs a lot of work and his CFI needs a talking to…..but the value is not in his answers but the overall experience of the check ride.

[@GoldSealFlight]

Thanks, Russell. That's how we see it, too. People learn about the process, not the answers to the questions.

[@tbone1212]

This is gona help a lot, I’ve got a check ride coming up in October , DPE in this area is backed up, has a full schedule plus working for American Airlines.

[@GoldSealFlight]

Good deal, Tbone! Best of luck with your own upcoming checkride! Let us know how you did.

[@Rawbful]

If you go to that map touch action option in Foreflight, you can enable it to bring up the chart with the legend! This is very helpful as you don't have to switch to a separate document that you may or may not have downloaded in forelight.

[@gimilkhad8169]

Can you clarify a little bit? "Map touch action option"?

[@vanessamontano2635]

I hope this student knows he belongs where he is and it’s not always easy for everyone I’ve struggled a lot with a lot of broken windows where I didn’t understand. It’s taken hard work but it’s okay to struggle I hope you have learned and found ways to what’s conducive for you ❤✈️

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

Good to know that you can rename the points listed. Maybe show a video on how to make Foreflight - tips and tricks.

[@scapilot1980]

Foreflight has a KZbin and shows you how to do this. The search bar is your friend.

[@Zalaniar]

Good on the student for putting himself out there like this, especially knowing how unprepared he is. I always love seeing Todd's mock checkrides. It's really cool to me that I know a lot of these answers even though I haven't started flight training or completed ground school yet, it's all just stuff I've picked up over the years watching KZbin videos and reading books and other documentation.

[@mjohnson8206]

@Zalamiar you should be a pilot 😊

[@hmrbruce]

Thank You !

[@danielreuter2565]

Great job Todd. I'm noticing the applicant is getting answers wrong or at least giving poor answers but is not looking anything up in the Far/aim that's sitting right on the table. Hopefully this is a wakeup call to the applicant that he's got some serious studying to do lol!

[@matthewbrock9073]

That was brutal

[@v1kng99]

Great video. Thanks again.

[@GoldSealFlight]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@user-bx3nd2ii8b]

I get it’s a mock check ride to test his knowledge but dp wants to make sure you can find info given sources you can use in the check ride. As for the weather if he forgot a little something that’s coded he could press that decode button and that’d be acceptable.

[@user-sf2ni9nr8p]

Thanks Todd

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

There is no such feature in Foreflight. Yes, it shows all of the runway as long runway. You just have to look at the length to know. Use a paper chart to see the proper visual of the runways. This is what I will tell my DPE. I will shop him on the paper map.

[@caltagerone77]

Great video!

[@GoldSealFlight]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@anthonyp6301]

Why would you need to log that first light in the log book?

[@leopoldomedinataveras7583]

questions, to be a flight instructor. Does the flight instructor who is building their hours flying also have to teach ground class and give oral exams like this one to the students or is another teacher or does the flight instructor have to teach all of this as well.

[@BulletTacos]

Any place to get the list of requirements/questions the DPE is using during the Oral? I know it does not have the answers but it should be a list the DPE needs to go down and hit all the points.

[@ztg9281]

what an awesome video

[@bugnut82]

@1:09:44 I believe he would be in Class G up to 700 AGL (not 1200 AGL). That H symbol is located within the soft side of the class E magenta line. So from looking at it, I would say Class G up to 700 AGL. Then Class E up to 1,299 MSL, then Class C from 1,300 to 4,100 MSL, Then Class E again from 4,101 up to but not including Flight level 180, which becomes Class A which goes up to FL600. Then Class E again up to heaven. Again, just having fun here and testing my old knowledge.

[@Aviatorpeck1957]

Thank you!!!

[@user-bs6he4mr4v]

NAILED !

[@Pocketbassist]

This shows me I need to get these details down!

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

I want your Piper Archer. Wow, the fact that it can cruise faster than 200 knots. Wow. 😝

[@tylerbrown4483]

If I was flying and saw nasty clouds 60 miles ahead I’d call the nearest FSS and get an updated weather briefing. It’s the most passive way to get the most complete information with the lowest workload.

[@badgerfishinski6857]

U wouldn't fly directly thru it and then give a PIREP? YEAH...I prefer calling the FSS a long way from it too.. Good ADM!

[@SuperZardo]

This video could be made into a mini-series of 2-3 videos if after each answer the student gives the examiner or a CFI would comment both on the question (why the question is important and in what context) and on the student's answer, and give the ideal expected answer in case the student missed it. The total duration would probably increase 5 fold that's why a mini series would be more convient.

[@jyellowhammer]

Not sure if this is the best item to listen to on your way to your check ride.

[@loveoneanotherasihaveloved8327]

Does Todd do check rides in Phoenix? I’d love to have him!

[@Total-Turbulence]

what is the student sure about.... it is hard to learn when he does not know any of the material. I have not taken my check ride yet but id assume this would be a hard fail. since this is a mock check ride it would have been nice to know the correct answers to these questions from the examiner when the student was not eXaCtLy sure...

[@socialbutterfly499]

Good stuff

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

I do not have a map touch option in my foreflight.

[@dangkaf]

How did this kid even get endorsed for his cross country solo

[@yaminrpatel94]

I have user waypoints, but how do you show those custom waypoints displayed on the Foreflight Flights Nav Log? As Todd mentioned that it’s possible, but I haven’t been able to find a way to do this and have to end up using the maps print functionality.

[@GoldSealFlight]

@yaminrpatel94 When adding the waypoint, there will be a "More" button next to the coordinates, airport, navaid, etc. If you click the "More" button, it will reveal a "Replace" and a "Save" option. Clicking the "Save" button will allow you to create a custom name as well as add an elevation and description. Hope this helps!

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

They removed the 8069 and just states on the sectional greater than 1500 ft.

[@DaleEicher]

Is Todd an Examiner again? In some of his YT videos, he says he's not anymore, but those were a while ago...

[@photopete16]

Like others have opined, I think this is great but it could be much better if there were subtitles with the correct answers. Having Todd say the answers would not be effective because that would take away from the authenticity and feel of a real checkride. Overall nicely done! Thank you.

[@NightingaleVictor]

Good luck, David. I think you're lacking way too much knowledge for the oral, right now -- my DPE would have failed me in an instant if I didn't know how to do fuel burn calculations without ForeFlight (hint: check the information manual or the pilot's operating handbook). Basic things like how to read a METAR, what the precipitation discriminator is, and lack of systems knowledge... I think Gold Seal would do better to upload a video with a C172 student, perhaps, and questions on what wet sump oil systems/fuel injections/carburetors/cylinders/magnetos/spark plug fouling/icing on pitot tubes are.

[@loveoneanotherasihaveloved8327]

Does Todd do mock check rides for hire?

[@squaredforce1958]

Tough watch! They should’ve told him to breathe 😮‍💨 This definitely helps to reinforce the phrase “I’m not sure but I know where to find it.” All he had to do was open the book for a lot of the questions.

[@Quillons1]

Was this kid's instructor pissed at him? I hope he studied a LOT before his ride. To be fair, I don't know what stage he's in with his training but I would expect they would pick someone almost ready for their ride. I think the DPE gives a great oral but you guys didn't do this kid any favors by essentially humiliating him like this. I feel like on a real oral, he would've failed even before the halfway point.

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

So you can rename your waypoint by pressing on the screen. Not sure what you mean press on the screen. Would like to know how to do that.

[@russellshermer8114]

Tap on the waypoint on your map….it brings up a box with the coordinates of that waypoint that you e created (and how it’s currently named). Upper right is an “edit” button, hit that and you can change the name

[@badgerfishinski6857]

ELT battery inspection????

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

I have a min of 10 SM of visibility. Even that cuts it close.

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

The only way to fix your rate of climb. You have to change your rate of climb and power setting.

[@DNModels]

Should you check the airframe? Really?!

[@llRDXll]

How did this student make it this far I don't get it

[@TheJVL8]

Student is unsure about a lot of things. In y'all's professional opinion, would he have passed the practical exam?

[@SuperZardo]

Adding random GPS waypoints only defined by time intervals and not even bothering to naming them shows me this student either has never filed a flight plan or never had to explain his route to ATC or simply never had any counselling on how to plan cross-country VFR flights. So he had his planned route printed out but what if the Ipad overheats in the cockpit as they do and turns off? Good luck with finding your GPS coordinates on the chart and creating the link between what random emptyness there is around your random GPS waypoint and what landmarks you actually see looking out. Do today's pilots actually still look out and pay attention to terrain or do they mostly fly head down aligning their heading with the planned GPS trace on the iPad?

[@amarijones8358]

Damn he didn’t even touch the far aim

[@Kryptocleric]

Interestingly enough, there was an EMAS Arrest Incident at Dekalb-Peachtree a month after this video was posted.

[@erickborling1302]

Biannual?

[@perrysnds]

Nice video! However, asking questions and not providing feedback is not 100% useful and can lead to misinformation and misinterpretation. We all know that checkrides ask questions we don't need a video for that. What we do need is to listen to the questions, answer from student and ultimately feedback from instructor. Otherwise you can get other students confused that a wrong answer is actually correct. Unless one actually knows all of the answers but then they wont be needing a video for that.

[@badgerfishinski6857]

Q: If the wind in the METAR read 25047G98, would u takeoff? A: "Ummm..I remember studying that but Im not sure." (Joke - relax)). Even though this kid didn't have all the answers, I have to admit that either did I.... And I bet a lot of the viewers didnt either ..... Good post Todd. "A great pilot is a pilot who does not think he's a great pilot" -Barry Schiff

[@alessio272]

I wish I had that pvt pilot mock oral. Lucky my examiner wasn’t a stickler.