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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — practical test with a designated pilot examiner

Private Pilot — Airplane Single-Engine Land practical test (checkride) prep

Get ready for the oral and the flight — scenario questions built on the Private Pilot ACS, checklists and flows, a panel trainer, radio calls and every maneuver tolerance in one place.

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FormatOral exam on the ground, then the flight test — one practical test
Graded toPrivate Pilot Airplane ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C) — each task satisfactory or unsatisfactory
WhoAn FAA designated pilot examiner (DPE) or an FAA aviation safety inspector
EligibilityAge 17, English proficiency, 61.109 experience (40 hours minimum under Part 61), instructor endorsements and a passed knowledge test
Knowledge testReport valid 24 calendar months — the checkride must be completed within that window
What to bringPhoto ID, student pilot certificate, medical or BasicMed, logbook with endorsements, knowledge test report, IACRA login, POH and the aircraft's documents and maintenance records
Typical lengthOften 4–6 hours total for oral and flight; varies by examiner, weather and applicant
FeesSet by each examiner — ask when you book

About the exam

The private pilot practical test — the checkride — is the last step to your private pilot certificate. It's conducted by an FAA designated pilot examiner (DPE) or an FAA inspector and graded against the Private Pilot Airplane Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C). It starts on the ground with an oral exam: the examiner reviews your eligibility, documents and knowledge test report, then walks through a scenario — usually a cross-country you planned — testing your knowledge of regulations, airworthiness, weather, airspace, performance, systems and human factors, and how you manage risk. Then you fly: takeoffs and landings, steep turns, ground reference maneuvers, slow flight and stalls, navigation and a diversion, basic instrument flying and simulated emergencies, each held to the ACS tolerances.

This hub is for student pilots training for the airplane single-engine land certificate under Part 61 or Part 141 — whether your checkride is months away or next week. To be eligible you need a passed knowledge test from the last 24 calendar months, the aeronautical experience in 14 CFR 61.109, and your instructor's endorsements, including 3 hours of test-prep training within the preceding 2 calendar months.

Practice the oral with original scenario-based questions mapped to the ACS areas of operation, adaptively and as a timed mock oral, plus oral flashcards and mock-checkride case scenarios. Drill checklists and flows, scan a six-pack and a glass PFD in the panel trainer, rehearse radio calls and callouts, study illustrated guides to every maneuver and its tolerances, and get a checkride-day plan. These are study aids — your aircraft's POH/AFM checklists and your instructor's guidance always govern.

How we track your progress

Every blueprint domain moves through five levels as you study:

  1. Not startedNo questions answered in this domain yet.
  2. Getting startedFirst questions answered — not enough yet to judge.
  3. DevelopingAt least 5 answered and 50% or better on your recent questions.
  4. ProficientAt least 15 answered and 70% or better on your recent questions.
  5. Exam readyAt least 25 answered, 80% or better recently, and holding up on hard questions.

The exam blueprint

FAA-S-ACS-6C Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS (effective May 31, 2024) — Preflight preparation, preflight procedures, airport operations, takeoffs and landings, performance and ground reference maneuvers, navigation, slow flight and stalls, basic instrument maneuvers, emergency operations, night operations and postflight procedures (ASEL tasks). Tap a domain to see its topics.

1 Pilot Qualifications and Airworthiness ACS Area I (Tasks A–B) of the exam
Private pilot privileges, limitations and cost sharing (61.113)Currency and recent flight experience (61.56, 61.57)Medical certificates and BasicMedRequired documents on board (ARROW)Required inspections and maintenance records (AV1ATE)Required equipment and inoperative equipment (91.205, 91.213, MEL/KOEL)Airworthiness directives and preventive maintenanceExperience and endorsements for the practical test (61.39, 61.109)

24 practice questions in this domain so far

2 Weather Information ACS Area I (Task C) of the exam
Sources of weather and the preflight briefingMETARs, TAFs and PIREPsAIRMETs, SIGMETs and convective SIGMETsGFA, prog charts and winds aloftThunderstorms, icing, fog and wind shearIn-flight weather and cockpit weather displaysGo/no-go decisions and personal minimums

20 practice questions in this domain so far

3 Cross-Country Planning and National Airspace ACS Area I (Tasks D–E) of the exam
Route selection, sectional charts and the nav logFuel planning and VFR fuel reserves (91.151)VFR cruising altitudes and flight plansAirspace classes, entry requirements and VFR weather minimumsSpecial use airspace and TFRsChart Supplement, NOTAMs and airport informationAlternates and planning for diversions

20 practice questions in this domain so far

4 Performance, Limitations and Systems ACS Area I (Tasks F–G) of the exam
Density altitude and takeoff/landing performance chartsWeight and balance and CG limitsV-speeds and operating limitationsAerodynamics: stalls, load factor and left-turning tendenciesPowerplant, propeller, mixture and carburetor iceFuel, oil, electrical and vacuum systemsFlight instruments and pitot-static system

20 practice questions in this domain so far

5 Human Factors ACS Area I (Task H) of the exam
Fitness for flight (IMSAFE) and alcohol/drugs rulesHypoxia, CO poisoning and hyperventilationSpatial disorientation and visual illusionsHazardous attitudes and aeronautical decision-makingRisk management (PAVE, 5P) and single-pilot resource managementFatigue, stress and task saturation

12 practice questions in this domain so far

6 Preflight Procedures and Airport Operations ACS Areas II–III of the exam
Preflight assessment and fuel/oil checksFlight deck management and passenger briefingEngine starting and taxiing with wind correctionRunway incursion avoidance and taxi clearancesBefore-takeoff check and run-upRadio communications and lost-communications proceduresLight gun signals and airport lightingTraffic patterns and wake turbulence

12 practice questions in this domain so far

7 Takeoffs, Landings and Go-Arounds ACS Area IV of the exam
Normal and crosswind takeoffs and landingsSoft-field takeoff and landing techniqueShort-field takeoff and landing techniqueStabilized approach and touchdown pointForward slip to a landingGo-around and rejected landing decisionsWind shear, gusts and crosswind limits

12 practice questions in this domain so far

8 Performance Maneuvers, Slow Flight and Stalls ACS Areas V and VII of the exam
Steep turnsGround reference maneuversSlow flight and its tolerancesPower-off and power-on stallsStall recognition and recoverySpin awarenessClearing turns and collision avoidance

12 practice questions in this domain so far

9 Navigation and Basic Instrument Maneuvers ACS Areas VI and VIII of the exam
Pilotage and dead reckoningGPS, VOR and ATC radar servicesDiversion to an alternateLost proceduresBasic attitude instrument flyingRecovery from unusual attitudesInadvertent IMC and getting help from ATC

12 practice questions in this domain so far

10 Emergency Operations ACS Area IX of the exam
Emergency descentEngine failure and emergency approach and landingSystems and equipment malfunctionsElectrical fire and engine fireEmergency equipment and survival gearDeclaring an emergency and 7700

8 practice questions in this domain so far

11 Night Operations and Postflight ACS Areas XI–XII of the exam
Night vision and night illusionsRequired lighting and equipment for nightAirport and aircraft lighting at nightNight currency and planningAfter landing, parking and securing

8 practice questions in this domain so far

What you get when you access this exam

Free with your QuizMe account.

Scenario-based oral practice

Original three-choice questions built on the Private Pilot ACS knowledge and risk-management elements, framed the way examiners ask them — adaptive practice plus a timed 40-question mock oral.

Checklists & flows trainer

Drill generic single-engine flows and checklists — preflight, before takeoff, cruise, before landing and emergencies — until the sequence is automatic. Your POH/AFM checklist always comes first.

Panel trainer

Read an analog six-pack and a glass PFD: identify attitude, airspeed, altitude and heading, spot instrument and system failures, and practice basic instrument scans.

Radio & callouts drill

Hear ATIS, ground, tower, approach, CTAF and Flight Service calls, then pick the right readback, call or action — with the correct transmission played back after each answer.

Maneuvers & tolerances guides

Illustrated guides to every ASEL maneuver — steep turns, ground reference, slow flight, stalls, soft- and short-field takeoffs and landings, emergency descent — with the exact ACS tolerances.

Mock checkride scenarios and oral flashcards

Walk through examiner-style cross-country and go/no-go scenarios step by step, and review must-know oral facts with flashcards.

Test at home or at a center

When your instructor says you're ready, complete your application in IACRA, get your endorsements, and book a date with a designated pilot examiner — DPE schedules can fill weeks ahead, so many students book early.

Before you book

  • Meet the 61.109 aeronautical experience, including 3 hours of dual in preparation for the test within the preceding 2 calendar months.
  • Get your instructor's endorsements: solo and cross-country, the 61.39 practical test endorsement (training within the 2 calendar months before the month of application, and review of your knowledge test deficiencies) and the 61.107/61.109 endorsement.
  • Confirm your knowledge test report is within 24 calendar months of the month you'll finish the checkride.
  • Start your 8710-1 application in IACRA with your FAA Tracking Number; your instructor reviews and signs it before test day.
  • Make sure the airplane is airworthy and fit for the test — current inspections, ADs complied with, documents on board, and equipment the tasks require.

Finding an examiner

  • Your flight school or instructor usually knows local DPEs; you can also search the FAA's Designee Locator in the Designee Management System (DMS) or contact your local Flight Standards District Office.
  • Examiners set their own fees and scheduling and cancellation policies — ask when you book.
  • Many examiners send a cross-country assignment ahead of time; plan it with real weather on the day.
  • Agree on weather backup days — a test stopped for weather or maintenance gets a letter of discontinuance, not a failure.

Exam-day game plan

How to walk in ready — and how to pace 40-question mock oral in 60 minutes.

Pacing checkpoints

Our mock oral is a timed practice set of 40 three-choice questions in 60 minutes, weighted toward Preflight Preparation like a real oral. The real oral isn't multiple choice — the examiner asks open questions and scenarios and you explain your answer, so practice saying each answer out loud.

The week before

  • Fly with your instructor and polish the maneuvers against the ACS tolerances, especially landings, slow flight and stalls.
  • Take a full timed mock oral, then review missed areas and your knowledge test report codes.
  • Plan the examiner's cross-country: nav log, weight and balance, performance and fuel, and a weather briefing.
  • Review the airplane's systems, V-speeds and emergency procedures in the POH.
  • Tab the aircraft maintenance logs for annual, 100-hour (if required), ADs, ELT, transponder and pitot-static as applicable.
  • Confirm your IACRA application, endorsements and the examiner's fee and payment method.

Checkride day — bring

  • Government-issued photo ID, student pilot certificate and medical certificate (or BasicMed documents)
  • Logbook with all required endorsements
  • Airman knowledge test report and your IACRA username and password
  • Aircraft POH/AFM, and the airworthiness certificate, registration and operating limitations on board
  • Aircraft maintenance records
  • Current charts, plotter, E6B or app, nav log, weather briefing and the examiner's fee
  • Headset, kneeboard, fuel tester, flashlight and any view-limiting device you'll use

During the checkride

  • Answer what was asked, then stop; if you don't know, say how you'd find out and look it up in the POH, FAR/AIM or chart supplement.
  • Use your checklists out loud and do a visual scan and clearing turns before every maneuver.
  • Brief the examiner on passenger safety and who has the controls — use a positive three-way exchange of flight controls.
  • If you're outside a tolerance, correct promptly and say so — the examiner is looking for recognition and correction.
  • Fly the airplane first; ask for a repeat if an instruction is unclear.
  • Make decisions as pilot in command — the examiner is also evaluating your risk management.

After the checkride

  • Pass: the examiner issues your temporary airman certificate through IACRA — valid 120 days — and the FAA mails your plastic private pilot certificate.
  • Discontinuance: if the test stops for weather, maintenance, illness or similar reasons, you get a letter of discontinuance; finish within 60 days, present the letter and you keep credit for the areas of operation you passed (61.43).
  • Disapproval: failing any area of operation fails the test and you get a notice of disapproval; you'll need additional training and a new instructor endorsement before retesting (61.49). Ask the examiner which tasks remain on the retest.
  • Keep current: a flight review every 24 calendar months and 3 takeoffs and landings in 90 days to carry passengers (3 full-stop at night for night).
  • Next steps: the instrument rating, then the commercial certificate — or endorsements such as complex, high-performance and tailwheel.

Official sources and further reading

Ready to start?

160 questions and scenarios across the blueprint — and growing.

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QuizMe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. Practice content is original and summarizes FAA sources (ACS, handbooks, 14 CFR, AIM). Checklists and flows are generic training aids — always use your aircraft's POH/AFM and your instructor's procedures. Rules change — confirm at faa.gov.