Final cross country solo is done! Officially in checkride prep! Also don’t mind my hair, got messy from headset and wind. It’s surreal that the solo phase is over, I’ve really enjoyed my time by myself in the plane but that chapter is officially over. Now to get that endorsement!
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Alexis,
Sounds like you are getting very close to the PPL. When are you targeting a check ride?
Chris
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Alexis,
How are you preparing for the checkride, may I ask? Have you gone through the entire ACS with your instructor? Do you have the PVT ASA Oral Exam Guide?
Brady
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Chris,
My projected checkride date is October 20th but that’s not supposed to be accurate at all. I’m hoping to get endorsed by the end of next week and get on the list to get a date.
Alexis
Brady,
I’ve been watching a lot of mock checkride orals on YouTube and they are super helpful. We have gone through the entire ACS and now I just need to identify my weak areas via the mock orals on YT. Also I have bought the ASA oral exam guide and there’s so much good information, it’s basically a whole new can of worms lol.
Alexis
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Alexis,
Love to hear that you’ve been utilizing a ton of resources, to get ready for your checkride. Many students forget that you can use any resource and sometimes gets frowned upon using external resources outside of ATP, but I support whatever you need to study, use it. The ASA Oral Exam Guide (available for all phases wink wink) is a great tool to supplement your studying and back up where you can find things. Make sure to get into that ACS and jot notes down; DPE’s love to see students in the ACS and actually utilizing it to the fullest.
Brady
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Alexis,
Congrats! I think the solo XC’s are the most important phase to really build your confidence as a PIC. Checkride delays are never ideal, but utilize the time you have for thorough studying and it will be time well spent! I second the ASA oral exam books! I highlighted and tabbed my way through each book for each phase. Can’t speak highly enough of them!
Hannah
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Alexis,
To add onto Brady’s comment, I am a huge fan of the ASA Oral Exam Guides and recommend that you purchase one for each check ride you take. I personally found them to be a very valuable resource.
Chris
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Another update!
I am officially endorsed! I can’t believe that it happened so fast. My mock went good, just gotta brush up on inop flow and weather. The flight went well for the most part, just brain farted on a couple of things but the lead said that I SAT on most of my maneuvers. After my mock I had a flight with my primary instructor and after that he endorsed me and said that he’s confident in me passing my Checkride. Now I have a lot more time in the books! I will update once I know more about an exact date!
Alexis
I think I might have 456MB in my logbook somewhere 
Congrats on the endorsement, keep up the good work
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Congrats on getting endorsed, I was just at LGB finishing my Comm multi checkride 2 weeks ago with Mark. Do you plan on taking your checkride with him?
Brandon
Alexis,
Congrats on the checkride endorsement, everything will come together. Be sure to get plenty of rest, stay hydrate, and eat the night before the checkride. It seems stressful the first time, it always is, but be sure to take some YOU time. YOU time is very important during the checkride prep phase.
Brady
Hey everyone! Glad to be posting an update. I just received my checkride date and time 10/25/24 @ 7am PST. Finally after waiting for a few weeks (felt like half a year) for a checkride date. Though there is a shortage of DPE’s and other schools have it wayyyy worse when it comes to availability, I am blessed that it only took a few weeks. I’ve been studying in the background and I feel nervous and confident at the same time.
How did everyone’s PPL checkride go? I would love to get some advice from other perspectives.
Alexis
Alexis,
I think probably the biggest cause of anxiety that comes with the PPL is that it’s your first checkride. We all fear the unknown to some degree and despite the fact I’m sure your instructor has well prepared you, again you’re not quite sure how these things really go.
The best defense of course is being well prepared. If you can answer EVERY question in the oral guide, there’s little else they can throw at you that would come as a surprise. Any question areas you missed in the oral are bound to show up so make sure you’re solid on those. Finally you should be able to chair fly you way through EVERY maneuver with confidence. Again if you can do those things, there’s not much to be concerned with.
Adam
Alexis,
First and foremost, congrats on the PPL!
Unfortunately, there’s a shortage in DPE availability and it’s affecting pilots nationwide, the vetting process can take some time. Fortunately for you, you passed the checkride and get to move onto the next phase of training!
Studying while waiting is the best-case scenario. I always made sure to invite students in to ‘teach’ material to newer students while they waited for their checkride or demonstrate things on the AATD. Once you can teach the material, you have successfully learned it - that’s the way I think about things. Looking forward to your instrument phase, it’s a quick one!
Brady
You’re absolutely right Adam. I’ve been reading that oral guide and it has helped reinforce my knowledge and how to answer questions without giving out too much info
Alexis
Brady,
I didn’t pass my checkride YET, I’ve only recently gotten my checkride date (10/25/24). I’ve been really going hard studying and making sure I don’t get stuck on a question and can answer it without digging myself in a hole.
Alexis
Great point!
DE: “Alexis, do you know what time it is?”
Alexis: “Yes I do”… 
Adam
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Oops, I misread! Must have not had enough coffee when I was typing. 
You will do fine! Remember, aviate, navigate, communicate.
Brady
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Alexis,
Book knowledge is just as important as flying skills. Know your material and you will start out by impressing the examiner in the oral. As for the flying, try to stay calm and collected and remember that the examiner wants to pass you, they are not looking to fail you. As pilots, we want to see new pilots succeed.
Chris
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