Reasonable expectations for checkride x/c?
Asked by: Dan Bernard 11221 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:
- Satisfy the PTS requirements except maintain altitude +/- 100 feet
- Have radios (COM and NAV) pre-tuned to the maximum extent possible before takeoff
- Record time of departure shortly after takeoff or just prior to starting takeoff roll
- 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)
- 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)
- Maintain good cockpit organization (checklist, chart(s), navlog, notes)
- Cross check aircraft position using multiple means, if possible (pilotage, VOR(s), GPS, etc.)
- 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)
- Upon arrival at a checkpoint, promptly record ATA and compute the ETA for the next checkpoint
- Complete the cruise checklist promptly upon level off
- 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)
- Provide ground speed estimate to determine if there may be unexpected winds
- 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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