Mock Checkride May - Preparing For Your Private Pilot Checkride

Pilots you know how important your checkride is. Passing it is a big step, so you want to make sure you are prepared before the test! That's why the mock checkride is an important exercise. With it you can prepare in a safe, controlled environment.
Join Jason as he walks you through how to use your mock checkride to identify your strengths, show you what you still need to learn, and get you ready to pass the test the first time!
Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments below!

[@chrisbautista827]

Passed my private pilot checkride on 4/29/21! Thank you Jason for all your tips, they were very helpful. Anyone that has a checkride coming up, I know you’re studying like crazy and feel the nerves. Stay calm, you got this!!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Congrats, Chris!!! Thanks for sharing this great news with us. Glad we could help!

[@keithhoward9238]

Congrats 👏!

[@DavidMiller-rw2gj]

To quote my DPE..."I am not here to fail you, I want you to succeed. Be calm, answer the questions, and fly the plane." Then he asked me who did my final phase check, I told him. He said "He was way harder on you than I will be." He finished the checkride with "Congratulations! You are now a private pilot with a license to (keep) learning." My best advice is to "be calm, answer the questions, and fly the plane".

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

That was some great advise he shared with you. Thanks for sharing it with us, David! Fly safe and keep on learning!

[@DavidMiller-rw2gj]

@@MzeroAFlightTraining btw....your videos are great. They reinforce things my CFI told me. Keep it up.

[@keithhoward9238]

Outstanding advice

[@davidcole333]

My oral was conversational, like two guys sitting at a bar drinking a beer talking about flying. There weren't many pointed direct questions, but more scenario-based questions designed to put me into situations that made me think and allowed to DPE to evaluate my decision-making process. On the flying portion, I busted a Class C airspace, but caught it quickly, corrected quickly and didn't let it affect my performance the rest of the flight. However, after landing I did get a very stern lecture from the DPE about airspace. it kinda killed the mood of the day and although I passed, I was angry at my error and I didn't enjoy the day at all. Such is life.

[@daniel_of_jersey4775]

Hey man, pass is a pass. Dont beat yourself up over a mistake, just a reminder that theres always more to learn or remember! Good job getting your PPL!

[@MichaelJohnson-fd5cx]

The best part about being a CFI/I is doing pre check ride ground and having your student understand that they can easily dig themselves into a hole. My favorite response "oh really...you should tell me more about that since you brought it up". Or, when they start an answer by saying "I probably shouldn't say this but...".

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Thanks so much for sharing that.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Great point, Michael! Thanks for sharing.

[@aaronshaw77]

During my private pilot checkride, there was a lot of uncomfortable silence. I would answer the question the best and shortest way possible. Just like Jason said, my DPE sat across the table from me with his head down and would make me wait a minute or so until the next question. I think the silence was one of the hardest parts.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

For sure, it can be awkward! Glad you kept it short and concise. Thanks for sharing, Aaron!

[@fiftynfit9111]

I am preparing for my Private Pilot checkride coming up in about 3 weeks! I have been through Jason’s “Pass your PPL checkride” book on Audible about 4 times! I recently had a different CFI give me a mock oral exam and I was able to answer most of the questions without much trouble…he even took notes on a couple acronyms Jason taught me in order to teach his students…primarily “NW KRAFT”!!! Now, if I can just go fly that airplane! Thanks Jason and MZEROA!

[@elias4214]

It is not a secret that assesment during PPL check-ride is a lot about your abilities to be a safe pilot in general (kudos to the video on decision making previously on the channel). I did a few of mistakes, which I was suprised not to hear about at the de-brief, but the DPE noted a number of other things, which I hadn't noticed. Good advise, which supported my attitude - take it as a ride with a friend, and show your best skills and knowledge, so the person enjoys the flight and gets quality info on aviation questions. Forget about the exam mode, your CFI would not alow you, if are not ready. And "don't forget to breathe, brain needs oxygen". :)

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Thanks for sharing, Ilya! Congrats on passing!

[@gsp-greenstripepilot9508]

Thank you for the calming words and every single person is different with their checkride. I was way ahead of the game with my binder and all my supporting documents. I was told late Sunday night I would have a different DPE and would be flying in a plane I've never flown in. Going from a Piper Archer II 180 to a Warrior 150 has me in complete meltdown mode and I have only 7 days to get it all changed.

[@paulpeters7840]

I am so glad I found you on KZbin. I really appreciate your insight and, hopefully, I can learn from your mistakes and minimize my own!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

That's the hope, Paul! Thanks for tuning in!

[@PursuitMode2011]

One of the best legends right here!! 5-STARS Jason...

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@johnmccue2073]

Thanks Jason!!! I purchased your audio on check ride questions and what you need to know. After listening to it for hours, and watching different videos from you. (Along with ground school and lots of studying)I took my private pilot Check ride on 11-30-2022. Passed the oral and then on to the flying. This also went great. Once again thanks for all your videos, they have certainly helped and I am now a private pilot.. Next IFR. JOHN McCue

[@jessesmucker]

My Checkride is coming up next week! Thanks for the tips!

[@gregagee4328]

Thanks Jason, that was a super helpful video to puts one mind at ease on what to expect and not to do. My check ride is this July 26th at Paragon in Fort Myers Fl. I saw your name on the wall!! I'm in good company!

[@michaelj.mcmurray540]

Awesome video. Great encouragement on how to avoid the check ride pitfalls. I am guilty of doing this during my instrument check ride. The DPE was a expert in creating the awkward moments for me to just fill the air with ramblings. Also, what wisdom on how to prepare mentally to overcome mistakes while on the check ride itself. These are good tools to use in every aspect of life. Y'all are doing great work. Love your content. Best out there.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Hi Michael, appreciate the kind words. Thank you so much for watching!

[@seemakhan1773]

Much needed. Thank you Jason!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching, Seema!

[@DeathAwaitsYourSoul]

Just got the audio book about 2 weeks back. Loving it thus far. I literally listen to it in the car or if I'm laying on the couch. I've cross referenced some stuff such as types of fog and engine type and everything is spot on even though I'm using a C172-N. Electrical is slightly different but as Jason mentions, check your POH. Some of the examples have minor differences. Would definitely recommend. Great Book!!!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Glad you enjoy the audio book! Thanks so much!

[@jamesallen9032]

Thanks again Jason, I still come back to your videos just to stay sharp... keep them coming...

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Thanks for watching, James!

[@captaingeeb3592]

I wish Jason could be a little angel on my shoulder. Thank you for those words. Checkride is coming up in a couple days and I can tend to be a nervous wreck.

[@johnmerizier1247]

I love Jason!!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Thanks for your support!

[@giove2]

Unfortunately failed the practical part of my checkride a couple of weeks ago notwithstanding Feeling ready for it. Screwed up a diversion and everything went downhill from there....very true Jason’s suggestion about having short term memory about your mistakes.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Hi Marco. Thanks for sharing your checkride story as it will help many aviators reading this. If you need any help from us please reach out to us at [e-mail]. Thanks and best of luck to you!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Stay Positive! You will get on the next go around!

[@tywheeler7131]

Checkride tomorrow morning. Thanks for the tips! A big part of the nerves revolves around the delays with weather which have made it difficult to remember material and stay confident. I had an issue in my end of course where one question is “what is Vg?”. Turns out, it wasn’t defined in the FAR/AIM (it’s glide speed). I had no idea and felt super dumb. It’s been 25 years since my first solo, and 7 months since starting to fly again, so let’s see how it goes! Thanks again!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Good luck, Ty! Remember, a good pilot is always learning! Thanks for watching!

[@Fiftyx60]

ZIP IT. Hahahaha I love it! Fantastic advice that's applicable in a whole bunch of other instances, too.

[@julietbravoaviation]

Your Audible book is a great tool that I have been using to prep for my upcoming checkride. I highly recommend it!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Great to hear! Thanks so much!

[@lapamful]

Lawyer training for your Checkride lol thanks Jason, great advice!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Thanks for watching!

[@brucecuratola6389]

Very good advice. I’m a person that does well on written tests and usually worse on verbal exams. I won’t test until late this year so just learning a little each day.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

You got this, Bruce! Thanks for tuning in!

[@Brandon05STI]

I have mine in two days for Helicopter, thanks for the advise as always.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Good luck, Brandon!

[@rightrudder1103]

Nice. I have a checkride in 3 days, I’ve listened to the PPL audiobook probably 30+ times. I would recommend changing the registration time from 3 years to 7 so people aren’t being fed now incorrect information right before their checkride.

[@MrRlw308]

Thanks for another great video. I have my long cross country and checkride left then I'll be among your ranks.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Awesome, My Friend!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Awesome! Good luck to you!

[@viccabrales3091]

I bought the audiobook and while its not perfect (it needs to be updated to 2021 standards) but it has been really helpful. I listen to it ALL THE TIME. Checkride coming up on November 4. If anyone is interested I will update shortly after that. Getting a bit anxious but I know I have over prepared for this...so it should be ok. Great work Jason and Magda. Keep up the great work!

[@CarlosRRamos-yf7tk]

You got this!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Good luck, Vic! Let us know how it goes!

[@viccabrales3091]

@@MzeroAFlightTraining I passed. All went great! Thanks M0A, you guys rock!

[@Cbizzle83651]

Getting ready for Mine as we speak, can not wait!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Good luck, Cecil! You got this!

[@cn9936]

I love that horsepower story!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Haha! It is a good one!

[@pilotdelfossejr7436]

Thanks Jason I wish my CFI gave me that talk years ago

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Glad it helped!

[@josephculbertson1108]

Jason, I have your PDF and audiobook for Private checkride prep. I took my check today. Aced the oral (thanks in part to your efforts), and discontinued due to weather. Thanks for all your efforts. Edit: I'm better in the plane than I am on the ground. And to anyone who is apprehensive about taking their check. Remember, over preparing makes an oral exam feel as routine as laps in the pattern.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Hey Joseph, congrats on completing the oral! Awesome job! Keep us up to date on the flight!

[@keithhoward9238]

I just purchased my audio book and will be listening to it everyday 🙌 👌. I need it to build muscle memory and stay calm

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy it, Keith! Thanks for watching!

[@zacharycathey4738]

Just passed my written yesterday! Now I’ve got to begin check ride prep!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Congrats, Zachary!! Great job. Good luck on your checkride!

[@blainepetsupplies5354]

That story was so funny about the 172. If I was the DPE I wouldn’t have been able to keep a straight face lol 😅 get a 182, it has 10 more horsepower!! 😂

[@CooperMcKay-bu9dk]

3 weeks away from my checkride. 200+ hours for my PPL but I had some awful flight instructors. Just focusing on the positive and immersing myself.

[@youthfulambitionya]

If I can just bring Jason in every check ride with me i'll be golden. - But in a way I do, because I study all his material.

[@michaelzaug8750]

Great story I was doing a turns and wasn’t satisfied. My instructor said leave it back there. Thank you mil veces JS

[@jake0q]

Can’t wait for my flight training.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Enjoy it, Jake! Let us know if we can help! You can reach us at [e-mail]

[@exosoul]

I have my private checkride in a few days and this video is helping me calm my nerves. I know I've been studying for a while, and have done a few mock checkrides, but can't help to be nervous lol

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

It is understandable to be nervous! Good luck!

[@exosoul]

@@MzeroAFlightTraining Thanks! as of right now I am officially a pilot! your videos helped me a lot! thank you!

[@aaronscomputers]

Getting ready for mine, just passed the written saturday

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Congrats, Aaron! Best of luck to you in your training!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Great Job! Congratulations!

[@quintenmoshy7798]

When I answered that hypoxia question, I initially said "It's the lack of oxygen to your organs, such as your brain, which can cause many different types of symptoms-" and then I caught myself LOL. For some reason it's incredible hard to just answer the question in the most minimal but satisfactory way

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Haha very true! Good catching yourself, Quinten!

[@superevostevo]

i'm taking my checkride soon my written is next week

[@aspenspora]

I’m about a month or so out from my check ride, weather permitting. Good timing! Trying to find every little piece of information that I’ve “skipped over”.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Good luck! Thanks for tuning in!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

You've got this! Make sure to share with us how it goes.

[@santiagoeros958]

Thank you for sharing, I appreciate the time and effort you and your team take to make these videos to help us. 👍🛩️

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Anytime, Santiago! Thanks for tuning in!

[@timniles2634]

Great point on the checkride pitfall. It is great to avoid this but you could actually have fun with this as well. For example, if you know you have hypoxia nailed in depth beyond what is required, why not lead the conversation down that path. Let the examiner probe you on it. Allows you to guide the conversation around what you know best. Ok, we should know it all cold but we all know that there are areas we are less comfortable with. Would I "really" do this on a checkride? I don't know but its an interesting idea.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Definitely an interesting idea, but pilots should still all be masters of the material and expect the examiner to ask them anything. Thanks for watching!

[@drewleevy5420]

Study your preflight and the antennas

[@daniilshmigelskiy7459]

I has my checkride two weeks ago. Pretty exciting to fly friends and family! Planning on continuing to instrument rating!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Congrats, Daniil! Enjoy your new flying privileges, and remember that a good pilot is always learning!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Congratulations! That is wonderful!

[@isaaccopeland2]

My checkride is acutally two weeks out. It's been rescheduled 3 or 4 times due to weather.. Hoping that May 15th is the day!

[@jimmyfall9302]

Best of luck.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Best of luck, Isaac! Weather cancellations can be frustrating!

[@jonasberney8857]

How did it go?

[@dannycnoble]

I will not have the same weight difference Jason had when he went from a 100 ppound instructor to a 250 pound examiner. I come in a 320 pounds all by myself. So whomever my examiner is the airplane will function the same. Fro the record my woeght is mostly verticle thankfully. cause i am 6ft 6. i am working on shedding about 50 pounds. My goal weight my doctor wants me at is 275. Jason's videos are great. The online ground school for Mzero A is great too. Defintly will have to look into the Audio Books.

[@cn9936]

I’m taking my PP L written in three weeks or so! Can’t wait to start flying!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Hey there! Best of luck, keep us updated on it!

[@Capafool]

My "rambling" was only in areas I knew well, to keep the conversation going in my favor :-)

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Thanks for watching, Giancarlo!

[@1dgram]

There's usually a good amount of awkward silence when it comes to a checkride, except when they are purposely trying to distract you.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Thanks for tuning in! Good point!

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Yes! Absolutely!

[@anacletkabalubukole5776]

👌

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Thanks for watching!

[@MediosCorporativos]

Please provide me the link for the audio mock book please. I’m not 100% where I need to be. Thanks

[@taketothesky65]

Checkride coming 2-11-23

[@jimmyfall9302]

PPL checkride tomorrow after nearly a year of delays. Still don’t feel ready. Last 7 practice flights canceled due to the weather. Frayed nerves.

[@bryceberryman7768]

gl man mines in 2 days feeling the same way haha

[@Draconawolf]

You got this! Deep breaths and you'll get it. The worst that happens if you fail it? You take it again but even more prepared! So long as you keep trying, you'll get it. I've got my PPL checkride coming up in a few weeks as well, so best of luck to us both

[@jimmyfall9302]

Oral done successfully. Flight canceled for weather, again.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Hopefully the weather will cooperate soon.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Best of luck, Jimmy! Weather cancellations can be frustrating! Make sure you feel comfortable in the aircraft and get a practice flight in if you can. Fly safe!

[@williamwehrle6238]

When will the Private Pilot checkride audio book be updated?

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Hey William, if you reach out to our support team at [e-mail] they will be able to get that question answered for you. Thanks!

[@markpalmer1305]

I don't have access to AUDIBLE....any other way to get audio book?

[@skhalid6597]

how do i find the podcast on itunes?

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Here is the link for you. Thanks for watching. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-pilot-podcast-by-mzeroa-com/id1010686786

[@stephenstead7270]

It a like a death sit just waiting you know you saying the wrong things best just to say to your self well if i fail it i try again that all you can do you get stress on this checkride they keep you at it to see how you cope

[@quintenmoshy7798]

My day of reckoning: May 12th

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Good luck, Quinten!

[@londonmoren9611]

My check ride is in like 30 minutes 😭

[@davec3226]

Rather than considering it a "pitfall" to lead the examiner into the next question, why not consider it a tactic. If, in your example, you had studied hypoxia and were strong in that area, wouldn't it be smart to use your answers as you describe to lead the examiner down that road of questioning? Better that you lead him to probe deeply into an area you know than have switch to an area in which you might be less versed.

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Hi Dave! Great question. It is best to have the conservative approach and only answer what is necessary. You may be stronger in some areas, but even in those areas the DPE may still ask some questions you might not know the answer to. Hope this helps answer your question! Please reach out to us at [e-mail] if you need anything else. Thanks!

[@davec3226]

@@MzeroAFlightTraining or his next question could be in an area in which you are weaker and be even MORE likely to be a question you cannot answer. He's going to ask another question anyway, why not steer it to an area where you are strong? You are making the point in your video that you can inadvertently steer the questioning by bringing up more than the examiner asks. So why not use that strategically to steer the focus of questioning into areas you know well rather than risking a question in an area you that don't? It makes good sense to use that insight to your advantage.

[@mikeperry2814]

@@davec3226 But, it might make for a very long day too!

[@1dgram]

@@davec3226 The DPE has areas that they will be testing you on. Getting deep into one area only prolongs the oral, it does not cause other areas to be skipped.

[@davec3226]

@@1dgram of course. But if he is going to go deep, better to steer him deep into an area in which you are strong. He can't chase you down every hole and once he sees you know your stuff in detail, the less likely he is to chase you down some rabbit hole later where you may not be that strong.

[@azcardinal88]

get comfortable being uncomfortable

[@azcardinal88]

with the silence after the question...

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

It is good to practice that! Thanks for watching!

[@elias4214]

Awkward silence is strong manipulative tool. Ask a psychologist ;)

[@MzeroAFlightTraining]

Thanks for watching, Ilya!