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4 Answers

Reasonable expectations for checkride x/c?

Asked by: 11327 views Flight Instructor, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

Hi all,

Some of my students are having trouble in executing the cross country part of their private pilot practical exam mock checkride flights.  The primary issues are in managing the workload, getting behind the airplane, and prioritizing aviating/navigating/communicating.

I'm familiar with the PTS requirements for the relevant x/c tasks, but I want to make sure that some of my specific expectations (and expectations above & beyond the PTS) are not excessive for a private pilot level of proficiency and that I'm not holding my students back from taking their checkrides without a good reason.  Here are the types of things I'd look for to see if a student is "checkride ready" on the cross country:

  1. Satisfy the PTS requirements except maintain altitude +/- 100 feet
  2. Have radios (COM and NAV) pre-tuned to the maximum extent possible before takeoff
  3. Record time of departure shortly after takeoff or just prior to starting takeoff roll
  4. Establish the aircraft over the pre-planned route line by the first checkpoint (I try to have them use checkpoints spaced no more than 10 miles away, ideally the first one is fairly close to the airport to aid in getting established on course)
  5. Have continual awareness of the aircraft position on the TAC/sectional chart (I'll ask them to "show me where you are on the chart" several times during the climbout/initial part of the cross country)
  6. Maintain good cockpit organization (checklist, chart(s), navlog, notes)
  7. Cross check aircraft position using multiple means, if possible (pilotage, VOR(s), GPS, etc.)
  8. Be able to provide ETAs for any future checkpoint or destination (I'll usually ask them "what's our ETA for the first checkpoint" during climbout)
  9. Upon arrival at a checkpoint, promptly record ATA and compute the ETA for the next checkpoint
  10. Complete the cruise checklist promptly upon level off
  11. Open VFR flight plan and obtain flight following in a timely manner ("timely" meaning that the student should be able to manage/prioritize flying the airplane during the climb and talking on the radio to ATC & FSS when it's appropriate)
  12. Provide ground speed estimate to determine if there may be unexpected winds
  13. Properly prioritize aviating (flying the airplane - maintaining altitude and heading), navigating, and communicating

I don't want to make my expectations for this part of the flight excessive beyond where a private pilot needs to be, but I feel like it's a good demonstration of cockpit organization, workload management, and thinking ahead of the airplane.  I have one older gentleman who in particular has a lot of difficulty staying organized, managing the workload, and making errors in planning or getting on course, maintaining altitude, determining location on the sectional etc.  Any thoughts are appreciated on what you look for when training/evaluating a student for this part of the checkride.

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4 Answers



  1. Bob Watson on May 27, 2014

    That’s a reasonable list, but just reading it looks pretty intimidating. What you describe sounds like an organization problem.

    Have you tried organizing and presenting these points in logical groups or checklists? E.g. Nav and com radio tuned as part of the pre-departure checklist, marking the departure time is in the post-takeoff list (power, trim, time), crossing a checkpoint: (time, groundspeed check, fuel check, etc.) or something like that?

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  2. Bidochon on May 28, 2014

    I’m a student pilot myself and the list you give here seems to be exactly what I have been trained for. Like Bob said, the list is intimidating…but this does not happen over a few minutes, but spaced in time over the entire fly…so it’s not that bad. And like I read somewhere, you can tell if a fly will be successful even before leaving the ground. I’m using two knee boards during all my flights (map and frequency on one, flight planner on the other one). the secret, I believe, is good management of the tasks.

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  3. Mr.Mogadishu on Jul 01, 2014

    Your checklist looks fair enough but i recommend you to depict the whole route into your students mind that you could print out the route map for him on the ground and instruct him about all checklists, navigational aids, communication settings then let him imeginary fly the sorti on the ground at least one day prior ETD/DOF if possible.
    Imeginery flight Exercises Will take him Ahead of the aircraft.
    Initially do not let him feel alone on any phase of the flight. If you feel like he is almost getting Lost in the cockpit anticipate and do the right action to help, teach and especially to let him learn something from his IP.
    THE POINT IS SOMETIMES WE ARE DEALING WITH TO MUCH DETAILS AND WE MISS THE MAIN IDEA.
    Thats want i am trying to accomplish on Training flights.
    Best Regards.

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  4. David Eberhardt on Jul 21, 2014

    The only item I might think more about is #8 “I’ll usually ask them “what’s our ETA for the first checkpoint” during climb out). Let’s say you are taking off from a place like Groton CT (KGON). There are 4 possible departure runways which means from takeoff to first point will be a few minutes different depending on which runway was used. I think it more practical to worry about navigational situational awareness than timing to the first point. Outbound from the airport is a time to know where you are headed, monitor for other air traffic, and monitor the airplane for normal system and engine performance. If you look at a sectional for KGON, you’ll notice some good landmarks for checkpoints to navigate to within 5NMs. Let’s say you are using the Gold Star Bridge across I-95 which is about 4NM NW of the airport as first point. Once you get there, pick up your course to second point. Start timing from the bridge to check ground speed, etc.

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