The suggestion that a checkride is an experience to be enjoyed rather than endured might inspire some skepticism, especially among those who haven’t done it all that often. What’s so great about hours of stress-induced partial amnesia triggered by the constant fear of doing something—anything—wrong?
Viewed from that perspective, it might not look like much fun. But a different viewpoint is more appropriate. Unless your instructor has made a serious mistake, you’re ready: You know what you need to know and you’ve proven you can fly the maneuvers. And since a CFI’s career prospects hinge in part on not being wrong too often, plenty of margin for error was factored into that verdict. You’re not just capable of flying within the practical test standards on your best day—you’ve been doing it routinely.
So while you can’t take success for granted, it’s far and away the most likely outcome. (According to the FAA, 80 percent of all candidates pass on the first try.) Knowing this should help you relax. Don’t worry about making a mistake during the oral portion of the test, because somewhere along the way you will—probably more than one. It’s part of the process. The designated pilot examiner expects it and your instructor anticipated it. In fact, the better you do, the harder the DPE will have to push you, because finding the actual limits of your knowledge is one of the examiner’s responsibilities.
As for the flight portion, count on flying worse than you have in weeks. Unless the examiner has to intervene to save the aircraft or you permit flirtation with the required tolerances to progress to clear violation without correcting, you’ll still fly well enough. And that’s what makes it fun. Once your nerves steady, you can enjoy showing off the fact that you can now meet the standard even on your off days. That’s a long way from where you started, and an accomplishment in itself.
Some 14 AOPA staffers passed checkrides in 2014, some more than one. Four became new private pilots, while eight more added seaplane ratings and two fixed-wing types earned helicopter privileges. We also gained a CFII and a couple of ATPs. Would any of them say they’d enjoyed their rides? How about—all?
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