Study Tips???

[brett529]

I will hopefully take my ppl checkride next week. Ive been studying anything i can get my hands on. Especially the ASA oral exam guide. Any suggestions on what else would be good to study? What is the most common reason for busted ppl checkrides??

[Aviator_Bakeek]

I busted my first oral for my PPL. I had two examiners, my examiner being examined by another examiner. I was already nervous enough and then I had someone else in the room. It only took about 10 minutes and I was done. I totally froze, and I had been studying long enough to know the material backwards and forewards. Here are some other tips I have learned from others experiences including my own:

Do not say "I believe..." (or answer in the form of a guess), as PIC you must know.

Do not answer a question with greater details where the examiner can question you into a corner, keep the answer simple and if he/she wants know more they will ask.

Make flash cards (worked great for me).

Try to stay as calm as possible.

Study like you know the material and have confidence in yourself, your CFI would not sign you off if he/she felt you were not ready to pass with flying colors.

Don't be afraid to say "I dont know" if you really don't, most examiners will try and draw out the answer in forms of questions or even have you open your books.

Bring your books in a seperate bag in case you need them.

Hope this helps, just a few things I remember from my checkride and listening to others exeperiences.

Good Luck and Congratulations!

[IcarusGR]

What I found to work for me was opening the PTS and going to the ground portion, oral stuff and talking about each task, certificates, systems stuff like that. When I knew everything there was for each topic I would check it off. I never failed a checkride in my career using this method. They only can ask you what's in that PTS, so know it inside out!! good luck .. just relax and you will be fine.

Oh and get some good sleep the night before.

[Crockrocket94]

They can ask you anything they want, but they can only test you on the PTS

But I agree with going through the PTS line by line and literally writing out everything about that subject, and if you dont know something about it, then research it.

Suggestions for good thorough readings pertaining to PPL stuff

Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Airplane Flying Handbook
Jeppessen Private Pilot Manual/Handbook


I mean, know about Certificates and Documents, Maintenaince, Required Stuff for VFR Flight day and night, etc. The list is in the PTS.

Go over EVERYTHING on the VFR Sectional Charts...
get a very experienced instructor to quiz you on airspace, and little odds and ends pertaining to the charts.

Know Aeromedical stuff, again, reference the PTS for specifics.

The books i mentioned contain information in good detail about all the stuff in the PTS. Go through the PTS and find that info in those books.

You'll be golden.