Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
11 Proven Pilot Checkride Tips that Actually Help
If you're preparing for your private, commercial, or multi-engine checkride, this video is for you. I've passed 5 checkrides so far—and I’m sharing every hard-earned lesson I’ve learned along the way. This isn’t theoretical advice. It’s stuff I’ve done wrong and regretted… and things I did right and was glad I did. If you’re feeling nervous, overwhelmed, or unsure about how to mentally and practically prepare, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.
In this video, we’ll cover:
✅ How to deal with checkride nerves (and why it’s okay to feel them)
✅ A simple mindset shift that takes the pressure off
✅ The “cleaning the china” study method for the oral exam
✅ How to use active recall to study more effectively
✅ Why you should talk less during the oral—and how to mentally prep for that
✅ Practical flight test tips, including maneuver setups, documentation, mock checkrides, and emergency curveballs
✅ My biggest regret from a checkride (so you don’t make the same mistake)
I also share how I personally organized my logbooks and study materials to make a great impression on the examiner—plus a behind-the-scenes story of a surprise engine failure on a checkride.
👀 Want help with oral prep? Check out my 350+ flashcards reviewed by CFIs:
👉 airplaneacademy.com/flashcards
Good luck on your checkride—you’ve got this!
#CheckrideTips #PrivatePilot #FlightTraining #PilotCheckride #PilotAdvice #StudentPilot #OralExam #FlightTest
Want my help 1:1? More info at airplaneacademy.com/hire-charlie
11 Proven Pilot Checkride Tips that Actually Help
If you're preparing for your private, commercial, or multi-engine checkride, this video is for you. I've passed 5 checkrides so far—and I’m sharing every hard-earned lesson I’ve learned along the way. This isn’t theoretical advice. It’s stuff I’ve done wrong and regretted… and things I did right and was glad I did. If you’re feeling nervous, overwhelmed, or unsure about how to mentally and practically prepare, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.
In this video, we’ll cover:
✅ How to deal with checkride nerves (and why it’s okay to feel them)
✅ A simple mindset shift that takes the pressure off
✅ The “cleaning the china” study method for the oral exam
✅ How to use active recall to study more effectively
✅ Why you should talk less during the oral—and how to mentally prep for that
✅ Practical flight test tips, including maneuver setups, documentation, mock checkrides, and emergency curveballs
✅ My biggest regret from a checkride (so you don’t make the same mistake)
I also share how I personally organized my logbooks and study materials to make a great impression on the examiner—plus a behind-the-scenes story of a surprise engine failure on a checkride.
👀 Want help with oral prep? Check out my 350+ flashcards reviewed by CFIs:
👉 airplaneacademy.com/flashcards
Good luck on your checkride—you’ve got this!
#CheckrideTips #PrivatePilot #FlightTraining #PilotCheckride #PilotAdvice #StudentPilot #OralExam #FlightTest
Want my help 1:1? More info at airplaneacademy.com/hire-charlie
