Mock Checkride!

An upcoming checkride is a huge stressor for students.
To help solve this, we’re hosting another one of our LIVE Mock-Checkride webinars. This will feature Todd Shellnutt as the DPE. He’s given hundreds, if not thousands, of checkrides over the years and was the AOPA Flight Instructor of the Year for 2015. The candidate will be Mike Hannam and his instructor is Jeff Jorgenson.
Don't miss this awesome opportunity to watch a simulated, but very realistic, Private Pilot oral exam. Plus, we’ll take a couple of breaks and field questions from you the viewer. This is something that will absolutely help you reduce test-anxiety. Watch and see what an oral exam really looks like!
If you have any trouble viewing this stream go to www.onlinegrou...

[@joeblowjohndoe206]

Just passed mine. Read and have a well rounded understanding of what’s in the phak, and know the part’s important to you in the far aim (tab it and use it often, and learn the parts for quick reference), and the oral will be a breeze. Learn the acs. None of the questions will be a surprise. I was able to know where he was going and answer questions before he asked them. He started cutting me off and saying “ok ok that’s good”, and we quickly moved on to the next part. Got through the oral portion in 1 hour and 10 minutes. Don’t be under the impression that you need to be perfect. I didn’t know it all, but I made sure I knew the things that proved I could be a safe pilot that made good decisions. Lastly have faith in yourself. You’ve worked hard you’ve studied hard. I can honestly say the check ride was about half as hard as I imagined it would be in my mind. I’ll say this again. Learn the acs. You literally have the questions the examiner will ask, and the tasks you will need to perform spelled out for you. There is no reason anyone should fail a check ride save a freak accident, or terrible mistake. Good luck everyone! Go pass that check ride!!

[@vestlen]

THANK YOU to Mike for being so brave and vulnerable to do this live. You’ve done us all a huge service and I wish you the best on your flying journey.

[@jjjjwilson2000]

very good job to Mike and the examiner. The examiner actually gave the correct answer when Mike didn't know and that doesn't happen with most of these mock checkride videos. Way more helpful when the examiner gives the correct answer if/when the student misses it. excellent job guys

[@samthepilot223]

I just passed my checkride on May 8, 2020 first time. I cannot tell you how much your videos helped me out. Thank you!

[@drewlewis9310]

Great job man! I'm working out any kinks in my landings and emergency procedures. Hopefully solo in the next couple weeks!

[@abudhu10]

Shout out to the candidate for a real unrehearsed submission to this mock checkride. I am going for my checkride next week and have been scouring KZbin for advice and hints. This has been extremely helpful. This channel is great. Keep it up. And thank you.

[@GoldSealFlight]

We're filming more of them this week. Make sure to check back when you're getting ready for Instruments.

[@ele4853]

“Three things you can never get back in aviation: the highway behind you, the fuel in the truck and the altitude above you” 😂 that was awesome!

[@chuckfinley4757]

*runway

[@vebisopi4988]

cracked me up when he said to call wxbrief for drugs lmao

[@freddyfreeloader1200]

Ouch completely bombed the nav log. Gotta say this video gives me great confidence going into my ppl check ride in a couple weeks. THANK YOU!

[@andrewmilles3177]

Howd it go?

[@scapilot1980]

Yeah, the silence was deafening as he admitted to basically planning this entire flight via foreflight and the DPE was definitely stern in his advice once he realized this.

[@acasualviewer5861]

@@scapilot1980 I guess we have to earn the right to use foreflight first.

[@JoshuaTootell]

I have done all my navlogs on paper with an app as a backup. Annoying, but useful.

[@photopete16]

It irks me that the FAA can't go one step further and make pilot certificates with photos so they can double as photo ID as well. I guess when compared to the old paper certificate I should be happy. LOL

[@lovetofly32]

Yeah thats stupid buuut then they'd just have to get the money somehow for the cameras and people to take the pictures

[@joeblowjohndoe206]

Chances are if you already have a driver's license and probably a passport if you have a pilots license. Why make people go out and take another passport photo and force them to do more work to get licensed?

[@matthewrammig]

Then you would have to go in and renew your pilot certificate so your photo would be up to date. I’m betting you would then be irked by that. Maybe the FAA assumes you have a government issued Id you already have to keep up to date so they let you use that, thereby making your life easier.

[@dancereaper]

I'd be fine by having to update every 5 to 10 years. Then I could just keep my pl in my flight bag and my dl always in my wallet.

[@JoseCabrera-cc2ch]

Well pilots license don’t expire but we for sure age, so we will have to go get a new one at least every 5 years

[@abbieamavi]

*Examiners who really try to make the student feel at east are the best, if my DPE brought me doughnuts I'd probably be way too suspicious but that's just me.* 😂😂

[@EatPezzzz]

They're a whole lot better than examiners who make you feel at west!

[@golfbravowhiskey8669]

Great vid. I’ve had my ppl a 15 years and watch these every chance i get. Amazing what we loose when we don’t use. We just fly the plane and this stuff gets on the back burner. Thanks.

[@gelexaida]

Preparing for my oral exam! This might be my favorite mock checkride video I've seen so far.

[@razerwhopper3280]

Watching this and making me a little bit more confident about my checkride one week from now. I hope my guy is just as cool as this guy

[@amp7876]

Great video, I would love to see a mock checkride in the plane with Todd.

[@Windtee]

Posting oral/checkrides all the way up to ATP would be a great service. Cool episode!

[@Pilot_engineer_19]

You know, I think this is one of the most useful videos I have seen. It points out areas needed for more study. It also could get one use to being questioned and therefore may make you feel a little more relaxed and comfortable when you do it for real.

[@jons.5698]

Thank you so much. I would like to thank Mike for having the guts to do this. THANK YOU!

[@fobypawz418]

Mr Shellnut is a dream Mentor/Educator/Coach whatever you name it. I like how he gives so many useful tips to really streamline everything!

[@vasthepirate5673]

I haven't even started any Pilot training, but these are super helpful to know what to expect.

[@niqueybangz]

Same. Good luck on your journey 💚✈️

[@user-pw1sf1um8w]

Finally, do some more mock checkride videos, you guys are great.

[@dustinmcnew8270]

Great video. Thanks. Appreciate the humility of the student to volunteer. Nobody is videotaping my practical. Ease up. Thanks again.

[@jayfignewton]

This was great, and seeing where the rabbit holes and how easy they develop something to be aware of

[@tedsword]

Love these checkride videos! If you do another one (and I hope you do ten more of these!), and if they're only limited to an hour, I would love to see one that either starts on D. Cross-Country Flight Planning or starts on E. National Airspace System. Both videos that we've seen only get as far as flight planning, so it would be very helpful to see what happens next! Thanks!!

[@shyammohabir8283]

Excellent! Extremely impressed with DPE Todd Shellnutt evaluation of candidate Mike Hannam. He did not asked canned questions .. rather his questions were probing, it makes you think and analyze before you can get the answer. The live interaction with METAR & TAF were excellent. Another good question was what type of weather will determine if Thunderstorm will be in your flight path? 1. High Moisture content, 2. Lifting action, 3. Unstable atmosphere. And my favorite quote was - The 3 things in aviation you will never get back: 1. The runway behind you; 2. Altitude above 3. fuel in the truck. Always Remember "E6B is your in the air"

[@billyjay4672]

This instructor is very good at his job although I'm not a pilot, I felt ar ease with this chap. He is a very experienced and honorable person.

[@mattthompson8487]

Those eyebrows are intimidating

[@troyberean6282]

Well, the one is anyway.

[@toddmiller1039]

Wow. That was very helpful. Thanks to everyone in the video especially the student. He did a great job and really helped me identify the areas I need to work on myself.

[@dstokar]

Thanks for doing this. Kudos to the student for putting himself out-there like this. Hopefully help students.

[@suspect2363]

1:03:05 the dramatic pause ...."my rule" in innocent tone 😂 😂, this made my night.

[@HitsOutdoors]

great stuff... Im a Gold Seal ground school grad and this gives me some solid info moving forward as my Check ride should come in the next few months..

[@tomvan2468]

This was both exciting and stressful which is awesome because there were many things I could answer and a few things I got stumped on. Wish you would do this more often.

[@marcelodorio1]

Great idea to have a new edition of the Mock Checkride. It does help a lot. Please consider doing one for helicopters, nothing out there for helicopters as good as this. Great job thanks.

[@Acc0rd79]

My checkride is Feb 13th! Talk about nervous. I know 90% of what he talked about but I will be real, I have never used the paper to figure out how to get from one city to the next, we just use Foreflight so that is one thing I know I will have to get down before I go!

[@cemeriawilliams2364]

Acc0rd79 good luck! You got this!!

[@bayleemunce8040]

How'd you do?!

[@markschussler567]

Russ, would love to see a Mock Checkride in the plane, I think that would be an extremely Popular video

[@Jamesxyz234]

16:35 The registration duration has been extended from 3 yrs to 7 yrs since 01/23/2023

[@GoldSealFlight]

Thanks for the comment, James. Yes, this video was shot several years ago and KZbin won't allow updates.

[@hpeterson10579]

I used gold seal for my written so when I was searched looking for oral Interviews it was a no brained to use gold seal! I think all of my anxiety about the oral has been jettisoned… seems like they just want to know you have a healthy understanding of the rules and regulations. Thanks for doing this

[@MichaelJohnson-fd5cx]

Great video! Getting ready for my commercial, and this reminded me of some basic things I forgot to study up on (as the oral for commercial is like a private on steroids...so I'm told).

[@johnmcguire66]

I'm getting ready for mine as well. I've heard that also. Two good friends told me that's how their oral was. But how my flight instructor and another instructor who's supplementing oral prep/ground instruction have told me is basically know the knowledge stuff to a CFI level. Idea being we may move on to that rating afterward and also the fact that at both levels we may be getting compensated for our services. I also read a prep book or something on line too that basically said the FAA expects examiners to hold commercial applicants to a CFI level of oral knowledge. Just my two cents.

[@MrMR-sk8jm]

"it's gonna be 6SM with rain showers..." Am I only one who's just like, "that would be LIGHT rain showers"? lol

[@markherring3513]

Didnt he say 2.6???? I could have swore i heard a 2.6

[@arip9234]

Great tutorial. Mr. Shellnut is impressive

[@nickdaws4493]

Great content. Very useful for a student pilot prepping for testing.

[@MsMelanie117]

Thank you for the videos I am enjoying each one of them.👍😎

[@Pilinchi1]

Very professional. Great setup. Thanks for posting this!!

[@fl380productions8]

Should be also a thing flight instructors watch - because how well a student does on the check ride is a DIRECT reflection on the quality of instructor they had.

[@Heyemeyohsts]

Wow that is the most bad ass furled brow

[@reviewsbyHP]

Later portion of this video made me realize how much I learned from XC planning and Solo XC flights.

[@piper0428]

Excellant presentation! I would like to see one for multiengine oral exam.

[@RO-fm4jo]

These videos are SO helpful!!

[@BackFire10mm]

Love this site. These guys know their stuff. Thanks

[@ScottBluemel]

Thank you for sharing this video. It was very informative!

[@Ludwing730]

This guy looks extremely serious with the voice and eye brows gymnastics there.

[@Benhojka]

If this was in the actual exam I wouldn't have said anything. I like to let your anxiety levels increase. LOL.

[@Pro46drift]

Bennett lol. Same here. Lol

[@fury125]

Amazingly , very informative to get prepared, Thank You

[@husalah2010]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@thebadgerpilot]

This video is fantastic and extremely helpful. Thank you!

[@thomascammarato7769]

Thanks, this helped me

[@bowzist]

If my check ride goes like this one I’m passing for sure. I soloed a few days ago and about to schedule my ride, nervous as hell😅

[@TairaEldritch]

Respect for the ROG laptop.. haha Thanks for the Checkride Prep!

[@jorgeluissantos77]

Anyone else think it’s bull that you can’t do your oral check ride like this?

[@slawomirlisznianski7537]

How accurate of observation you made now that we are in COVID

[@ronaldbird6285]

@@slawomirlisznianski7537 yeah it's almost like this person predicted the future......

[@Participant616]

Too easy to cheat.

[@farmfencesolutionsllc]

Participant It’s an open book exam. 🤙🏼

[@2Greenlid]

If you are going to fly together afterwards, why would you need to do oral remote? Aren’t you going to fly together right after?

[@pilot_micah]

These are awesome please do more!!!

[@AMoose454]

Kinda scary that the dude being quizzed doesn’t even know 40% of the stuff being asked and he can fly. I feel a lot more a lot comfortable for my check-ride and oral. Thankful I had a good instructor.

[@Hirnilein0815]

To defend the student in respect to the question at (38:15): His answer wasn't entirely wrong. When he flew into the microburst, he passed a region of strong wind shear. The examiner could have asked him: What might be the cause for strong wind shear close to a thunderstorm? to help him out. Wind shear is a steep gradient in wind velocity and/or direction. The wind shear zone can have any orientation in 3D space. Thus, the airplane can be pushed in any direction by wind shear, not just downwards, as the student said. In fact, the strongest wind shear I ever experienced pushed the airplane up by almost 300 ft on short final. The CFI landing the plane in front of me was able to get the plan down with a side slip. I, being a student pilot, wasn't as successful in doing so and had to go around, although he had warned me over the radio. Now imagine this had been a downdraft instead of an updraft...

[@scapilot1980]

The deafening silence when he realized that the DPE figured out he planned the navigation log using foreflight... I love that bit of technology and it's a great aide that has has sent general aviation light years ahead. But come on, guy. You had to know the requirements for the check ride were that you can plan it using a map and a plotter.

[@novaldosmith143]

Lol This DPE literally gives you the answers, wish mines were like him.

[@RockyTopAviator]

Love this! What are the some of the privileges you have as a PP? (Pulling out my book to refer) I have to look that up; fantastic! Thanks to Mike for putting himself out there for this!

[@keithhays7758]

This is very helpful as I prep. Thank you.

[@subodhnimkar5163]

Unless the navlog is prepared during the oral portion of the checkride looking at the weather at that moment, how can it be really current? So, what is acceptable as far as timing of the weather info used for the navlog?

[@MikeSr.06]

Very helpful ! Thank you for taking the time

[@becomingapilot89aviation23]

I’m confused on how you don’t know where the Nav log data came from. I don’t know a lot. But I know u need to know this

[@anthonybenavides720]

Easy. You fuck around with ForeFlight too much and use it to generate the log without ever pulling out an E6B or a plotter. Dead giveaway? He called it a “ruler” - it’s a plotter.

[@GZA036]

over-reliance on technology and automation, the plague of general aviation

[@_K_W]

@@anthonybenavides720 yeh and he called him out for it too immediately

[@stevesayer4045]

He did not do to bad on this few thing he as to check up on but i think he got a good 78 percent well on his way to get the check ride just a bit more bush up on this and he got it. well done mate i wish you luck and safe flying

[@gusrodriguez6026]

Aircraft registration is actually good for 7 years now, not 3

[@GoldSealFlight]

Yes, this change occurred in January 2023, several years after this video was published.

[@LaHayeSaint]

Todd did a great job. But as always, there is nowhere to hide. If you don't meet the required standard, then you won't pass. Nail-biting at times!

[@jamesrutherford9597]

Excellent!

[@danmccarthy2213]

I love this video because it didn't get interrupted with four or five you tube ads! This is hard core stuff....are you guys in san diego or arizona?....

[@GoldSealFlight]

Thanks, Dave. We're in Atlanta. Visit us at www.OnlineGroundSchool.com

[@sabrinajurlina8193]

these are awesome! keep 'em comin.

[@Heyemeyohsts]

How is a transponder not required for class echo air space ? Class echo IS controlled

[@GoldSealFlight]

The regulations don't have a requirement for a transponder in all controlled airspace.

[@Heyemeyohsts]

@@GoldSealFlight just A, B, C? And then in the mode C veils around B’s? Not in all E, right? Also, the Pro-rata share question… you can share more than just the fuel expenses, correct?

[@doublebarreledidiot]

61.113 (c) will answer your question

[@lonhaenel3030]

Awesome!

[@user-jh5fm7ci6o]

So when I look at the winds above and it states unstable above 6000, and there is high moisture content, then can spell trouble. Thunderstorm may be lurking around

[@lamontbarrett8989]

He threw me off when he initially talked about microbursts. Usually there will be an increase in performance when encountering a microburst before you get to the down draft especially if you are low but I would go full power and try to fly through it. If you’re in a downdraft it’s probably too late to turn around.

[@josephward6534]

Love the examiner

[@piratedave3803]

No times/distance calculations on his flight plan would be a no fly deal breaker. It is not complete without time distance calculations.

[@isaacralston8739]

Love the ROG computer! Great choice.

[@matthardy4597]

UPDATE. Registration is now good for *7 years* Newly in place by FAA

[@alexandranickerson805]

I love your videos so much!!! 🥳🥳

[@jackhazlett7800]

Aircraft registration is valid for 7 years not 3 going to need to edit

[@_K_W]

Question for the group: Does the ACS grading standard have any corresponding chapters that each section relates to? I know someone somewhere must have created a gouge

[@jamesrusso6739]

Great video!

[@oldlineaviation2830]

I know I'm late to the party, but can anyone advise if a DPE will prompt the candidate similar to the timestamp around 14:40 ?

[@TheOddSavants]

Best watched at 1.75x speed...

[@gameplay-wu8wd]

LMAO watching this guy made me feel so much better about my checkride jesus

[@zachcraftx]

😂😂

[@ralphtv6312]

Great video of what not to do

[@ahmadsamadzai8255]

Great video although I found it to be rather an easy oral exam than I have seen.

[@fl380productions8]

Weather is huge. You don't understand the weather, don't call yourself a pilot. Study it like nothing else.

[@Randomgrogu]

I know many states allow you to use a photo of ID on phone does this also work for faa?

[@philipwidner]

Good stuff

[@lovetofly32]

I hope I can get my license before oshkosh 2022. Been wanting to get it for so long and I just have to finish it. Some of this worries me because I don't know about that weather coding stuff or Nav logs..🤔

[@BobbyPlane6252]

Did you get your license yet?

[@kyleherndon7746]

Can someone tell me what class C was intended for? Besides it’s for busier airport with instrument approaches

[@davidparker8752]

Well, you pretty much hit the nail on the head. They are busier, have instrument approaches and have ATC services.

[@rickpoling607]

Really appreciate seeing a real mock check ride. Poor choice for a student though. Prefer to see someone much more prepared then this to learn from. Scary to think about these kinds of students in the air.

[@markstriby4941]

I think that it's actually really valuable to see how a checkride would go if you're only marginally prepared. Seems more realistic than the mock checkrides on youtube that are obviously rehearsed or between a DPE and a CPL or CFI that knows just as much as the DPE. That being said, You're totally right to expect any pilot to be well-prepared.

[@GearItFirst]

You've got a bit of loopback on your audio. Next time you do these live streams, I'm happy to help! --Arnoldo

[@markherring3513]

There is no way i could pass that test. I am horrific when it comes to testing. My anxiety level shoots up 1,000 fold that even if i knew the answer id blank out. Im amazed i even graduated high school. Those questions for a checkride get deep AF. Id fail miserably.

[@anthonybenavides720]

Weather strikes again!