Are you more confident in your flying skills than the knowledge portion? So many student pilots (even CFI applicants) say, "If I can just make it past the oral exam and get out to the plane, I'll be relieved."
This is especially true for the Private Pilot checkride. It's your first checkride, and the fear of the unknown is very real, but very normal. Participating in a simulated oral exam has many benefits for the student and recommending CFI.
Here are 10 ways a mock oral checkride can help you:
1) Help PASS YOUR CHECKRIDE the FIRST time.
Did you know 5-10% of checkrides don't even begin due to disqualification? Others don't make it to the flight portion because of an oral exam failure. Failures and disqualifications can hurt your pride, your pilot record and your wallet.
2) Learn the testing process
A mock checkrides is like a "dress rehearsal" before the big day. Sit in front of a neutral CFI and practice the process & your answers before you sit across from the DPE.
3) Knowledge assessment
Do you know your stuff? Discover subjects where you you're fully prepared and others where you fall short and need more study.
4) Provide your CFI an honest, unbiased evaluation
This is a powerful tool for your CFI! We offer a written debrief for you & your instructor to assess your readiness for the checkride.
5) Build confidence with practice
Practice & repetition make you a confident and skilled pilot. That's why you practice steep turns over and over. The same goes for mock checkrides: the more you practice for a checkride, the more confident you'll be on the big day.
6) Learn ways to further study your weak areas
The debrief is a great time to discuss a study strategy and utilize available resources efficiently as you move into final study and preparation.
7) Decision-making practice
Checkrides are scenario-based, so expect the line of questioning to test not only your "memeory Items" but also apply them into real-world situations. A mock checkride is a great way to practice verbalizing the aeronautical decision-making skills you've acquired.
8) Save money
How does investing in a mock checkride save you money? Disqualifications and failures, unfortunately, are common. DPE can charge half the price to full fees for a retest, depending on the situation. Ensuring you are qualified and pass the oral exam are great ways to set you up for success the first time and avoid hefty retesting fees.
9) Finding paperwork mistakes
In the age of multiple CFIs signing your logbook, mistakes in calculations, inadequate aeronautical experience and missing endorsements are becoming too common. If the DPE finds a mistake, at best you & your CFI must take the time to correct it, raising your stress level. At worst, the checkride ends and you may even have to relinquish your testing fee.
10) Personal development
A mock checkride is an awesome exercise in quick decision-making, testing judgement skills, confidence building, performing under pressure, and being evaluated by a stranger. Not only will this exercise help prep you for the big day, but these practice sessions will grow your skills when facing real-world situations in life, at work and in the air.