FAQs

GENERAL

Q:  How much do you charge?
A:  Here's a link to my current fees.

Q:  My checkride is in Rogers (KROG).  Where will we meet?
A:  If we're doing your checkride at the Rogers airport we'll most likely have a room at Beaver Lake Aviation. Here's a map showing where to park.  If we're meeting somewhere different I'll let you know.

Q:  My checkride is in Bentonville (KVBT).  Where will we meet?
A:  If we're doing your checkride at the Bentonville airport and you aren't a student at Thaden Field, we'll most likely use my office on the east ramp. Here's a map showing where to park.  If we're meeting somewhere different I'll let you know.

Q:  Chip, the weather isn't looking too good on the day of my checkride, what do you think?
A:  That's up to you.  You're the PIC.
The weather decision is up to the Pilot In Command.  Your personal minimums and your comfort level for performing the required maneuvers and ensuring that the flight is conducted in accordance with the applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations should guide your decision.  Plus, this is a great way for me to evaluate aeronautical decision making.

Q:  I've decided that the weather isn't going to allow me to fly on the day of my checkride. Can we do the ground portion and get it out of the way?
A:  No.  Sorry.
The FAA requires that the oral and flight portions be completed on the same day, or at least that the flight portion looked like a likely event when the oral was started.  We can't do the oral if we know we aren't going to fly.

Q:  Will you travel to my location to conduct my practical test?
A:  Within reason.
I think it's important that the applicant be comfortable with the environment during the checkride.  But for me to travel to you may mean additional fees.

Q:  If you travel to my airport what do you expect in the way of facilities?
A:  We need a private, comfortable room for the ground portion.  An internet connection helps a great deal and a printer I can connect to via WiFi is a big plus.  I won't do a checkride if I don't have either WiFi or a cellular signal so I can use a hot spot.  

Q:  Can my instructor sit in on the practical test?
A:  No.
No one may sit in on the practical test except an FAA representative that has a reason to do so.  They have the right to show up at any practical test without notifying either of us.  This would normally be to evaluate me conducting my duties.  Your instructor is welcome to sit in on the pre-test verification of eligibility and prerequisites as well as the post test debrief if you wish.

Q:  Does my instructor need to be there for the practical test?
A:  No.
It's usually a good idea for the instructor to be around for the beginning of the test to help work out any issues with verification (logbook errors, missing endorsements, aircraft airworthiness, etc) but it's not required.  Just know that if there is an issue that we can't resolve then the test will need to be postponed.

Q:  Do I need to bring the physical logbook for the airplane or can I just bring a status sheet or a copy/photo?
A:  I need the physical log books.
The direction we get from FAA is that we're required to review the actual logbooks (not a copy or photo) to ensure that the aircraft is airworthy.  This includes a review of AD's.  No, the logbook endorsement showing that the AD's were reviewed isn't sufficient.  I need to see the AD status sheets along with the logbooks.  Yes, your school and the mechanics will be unhappy, but it's what's required by the FAA. 

Q:  My instructor is old school and doesn't like IACRA.  Can I fill out the application on paper?
A:  I won't do a check ride if the application isn't in IACRA.

Q:  Can I look up the answers during the ground portion of the practical test?
A:  Yes... and no.
The answers you look up should be only the things that are not required to be known during aircraft operation.  For example, the requirements for accident and incident reporting is something you can look up (you know where to find that, right?).  Airspace visibility and cloud clearance requirements, or taxi signs, or V-speeds, are examples of things you can't look up.  These are things you need to know when operating the aircraft.  In addition, you may only use FAA furnished reference material.  No notes.  No Google.

Q:  I've used a simulator for some of my training, how much of that time counts toward my rating?
A:  Here's a link to what the FAA says about logging simulator time for your rating.

Q:  Will you do a practical test in a tailwheel airplane?
A:  That depends.
I won't do a checkride in any aircraft without a complete set of controls (including brakes) and the ability to see the instruments.  Otherwise, I'm current and proficient in tailwheel aircraft and am more than happy to discuss using one on your checkride.

Q:  Will you do a practical test in an experimental airplane?
A:  No.
I love experimental and amateur built aircraft.  I've built one myself.  But I don't know yours, who built it, how it's maintained, or its flight characteristics.  Sorry.

Q:  Can I use my iPad with ForeFlight (or another EFB) during the practical test?
A:  Absolutely.
I want you to perform during the practical test the way you would actually perform during any flight.  If you would normally use an electronic flight bag then, by all means, do so.  Just be sure your data is current and that you have a plan if your EFB fails.  If you use an EFB for flight planning, be prepared to explain how everything on the nav log and the weight and balance is calculated, and where the numbers come from.  If you use an EFB, make sure you know how to use it properly and efficiently.

Q:  If I'm issued a notice of disapproval do I still have to pay for the practical test?
A:  Yes.
As an examiner I blocked out my day and did a significant amount of work to prepare for your checkride. There is even more paperwork required if a notice of disapproval is issued.  Be sure to discuss this with your flight instructor.  They recommended you for the practical test and they endorsed your logbook certifying that you are prepared for the test.  I will collect the fee before we begin the test.

Q:  Is all of the information you asked me to provide before the test really necessary?
A:  No, but...
I spend a lot of time preparing for your practical test, and the more I can do before we meet the smoother and faster the checkride will go.  Plus, filling out the information request form accurately and completely demonstrates that you and your instructor are organized and well prepared for the test.  I can't require that you fill out the form completely, but not filling it out will double or triple the amount of time we spend verifying eligibility before the test.

PRIVATE

Q:  My aircraft doesn't have an attitude indicator or a radio.  Can we conduct my private pilot practical test in it?
A:  No.
Your aircraft must have the capability for you to perform all of the maneuvers required by the ACS.  I wouldn't be able to adequately evaluate your performance in simulated IMC or your radio communication skills in this case.

INSTRUMENT

Q:  Does my aircraft database need to be current for my instrument check ride even though we'll be flying in VFR weather?
A:  Yes.  
The Instrument ACS makes it clear in Appendix 7 that "Consistent with 14 CFR part 61, section 61.45(b) and (d), the aircraft must have... GPS equipment must be instrument certified and contain the current database."

Q: Will you do my instrument check ride in actual IMC?
A:  No, I won't do an instrument check ride unless the weather is VFR.

Q: I'm concerned about my instrument cross country meeting the requirements of 61.65 and 61.1. How can I be sure?
A:  Just send me a copy of your cross country and I'll be happy to review it. 

Q:  I'm concerned about the approaches I flew during my instrument cross country.  All three were RNAV approaches.  Will that qualify?
A:  Here's a link to what the FAA says about the approaches required on your instrument cross country. Depending on which minima lines you used you could meet the requirement flying three RNAV approaches.

COMMERCIAL

Q:  Do you permit a go-around from a power-off 180 landing in the commercial check ride?
A:  A qualified no.  
The FAA has specified (July 5th, 2022) that the applicant can only execute a go-around from a power-off 180 as a risk mitigation measure (landing area unsafe, conflicting traffic, etc).  Otherwise a go-around is disqualifying for the power-off 180 task.  

Q:  I'm using a TAA with two Garmin G5s, a GPS with a moving map, and a two axis autopilot. Does this qualify as a TAA in your opinion?
A:  Probably so, depending on a couple of other factors.  Here's what the FAA requires.

If you have other questions be sure to reach out.