13 Ways To Impress Your Designated Pilot Examiner On Private Pilot Checkride

Becoming a private pilot is an exciting journey, and the check ride is one of the most critical steps. 

It’s not just about passing; it’s also about impressing your Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). When your DPE sees that you have excellent coordination and can handle various flying skills like takeoffs, landings, and slow flight with ease, you’re already ahead of the game.

Watch the video below to see all 13 tips.

Impressing Your DPE

1. Mastering Flight Skills

A key part of impressing your DPE during the Private Pilot check ride is showing top-notch flying abilities. 

This means excellent coordination during takeoffs, landings, and in-flight maneuvers like slow flight and stalls. 

Utilizing the rudder correctly during turns can also set you apart, showing that you’ve mastered these skills.

2. Maintaining Situational Awareness

Being aware of your surroundings is crucial. Know the airspace around you, including nearby airports and any restricted zones. 

Think ahead about your flight path and potential issues. This readiness helps you manage the flight smoothly and demonstrates strong situational awareness to the DPE.

3. Do We Trust You

This may sound simple but can the DPE trust you to fly other people in the airplane? Can you fly without supervision? Are you thinking ahead?

4. Preparation and Anticipation

Good preparation can impress your DPE. Have everything ready before entering busy airspace or airports. 

This includes pre-setting radio frequencies, having checklists handy, and anticipating what comes next in your flight. 

Being organized and thinking ahead shows you’re proactive and ready for any flight situation.

5. Communication Skills and Efficient Radio Use

Clear and concise communication is essential. 

Make timely and accurate radio calls, and understand the responses. Effective communication ensures you stay in control and handle air traffic instructions properly. 

This skill reflects your ability to manage flights independently and confidently.

6. Treating Emergency Scenarios Seriously on the Checkride

Handling emergencies effectively during a private pilot check ride can set you apart. 

When the examiner gives you a scenario, dealing with it like it’s real-life makes a big difference. Think about your passengers. They might not know anything about airplanes, so make sure they are briefed on what to do, such as how to operate the exit door and where to head after landing.

You should also be ready for the next steps after your initial emergency checklist. 

Knowing the procedures for landing without engine power will show your preparedness. Get familiar with the checklists for different emergencies and practice them as though they are happening for real. 

7. Keeping Calm

Your goal is not just to land safely, but to ensure the safety of everyone on board.

To really impress your DPE you should be able to keep a clear head throughout the scenario and think carefully through all of the steps you should take. 

By going beyond just handling emergencies and focusing on the safety of everyone involved, you can truly impress your DPE.

8. Dress as a Pilot

Too many students show up to their checkride looking like they just rolled out of bed. Come dressed and ready to fly as though you are a professional. 

Even though you’re only doing your private pilot checkride you want to come prepared. The way you dress and present yourself tells the DPE a lot about how ready you are for this checkride.

9. Be Punctual and Organized

Show up at least 30 minutes before your checkride and have everything already organized and ready before then. 

You don’t want to be scrambling to get last minute things done right before the checkride. Use a checkride checklist to make sure you have everything you need and then show up early so you have time to sit and prepare for the examiner.

10. Understanding the Underlying Reasons

Do you know beyond just memorization? Have you read more than just the study guide. To really impress your DPE show that you’ve sought deeper knowledge and are striving to become a knowledgeable private pilot.

11. Confidence

Maintaining a level of confidence throughout your checkride is important. Saying things like, “I think this is the right answer” does not show confidence. A confident pilot knows they’ve studied and prepared but isn’t arrogant in their knowledge.

Don’t phrase your answers as questions.

12. Be Able to Navigate for the Answers

There are quite a few reference texts that you’re allowed to bring into your checkride. You may not know the answer to every question your DPE asks. But if you know where to navigate to in a resource to find the answer you’ll impress your DPE. 

Showing up with a marked up FAR/AIM will impress your DPE far more than a barely used FAR/AIM.

 13. You Are Hosting the DPE That Day

Make sure they have everything they need. Get the keys for the aircraft, get any records they need, talk them through the preflight, etc.