Listed below are "Scenario" options for (you to choose from) to use to plan your cross country, and to use for your checkride. Complete the Routing and Altitudes for the entire trip for discussion. Complete a Navigation Log (winds, fuel, headings, times, etc) to the first fuel stop or to the destination if able. Do not flight plan for a return flight. Only for the cross country to the destination.
You are planning a VFR cross-country flight from McKinney National Airport (KTKI) to Shreveport Airport (KSHV) to attend a college football game.
You will be traveling with one passenger. You both weigh 180 pounds, and you have 50 pounds of baggage onboard in case you decide to stay overnight.
The football game is scheduled for a 1:00 PM kickoff, so you will plan a morning departure to ensure arrival with adequate time prior to the event.
Following the game and post-game activities, you plan to depart San Antonio at approximately 7:00 PM for your return flight to McKinney.
You are planning a VFR cross-country flight from McKinney National Airport (KTKI) to Tulsa International Airport (KTUL) to attend an important business meeting that has been scheduled for several months.
You will be traveling with one passenger. You both weigh 175 pounds, and you are carrying 30 pounds of baggage.
The meeting is scheduled for 3:30 PM, so you plan a late morning departure to ensure arrival with adequate time prior to the event.
Due to the distance and anticipated winds, you are considering the need for a fuel stop en route.
Following the meeting and post-meeting activities, you are planning a departure from Tulsa at approximately 8:30 PM for your return flight. You will need to evaluate whether conditions support a safe night return or if delaying until the next morning is the better decision.
You are planning an IFR cross-country flight from McKinney National Airport (KTKI) to William P. Hobby Airport (KHOU) to attend a wedding.
You will be traveling with one passenger. You both weigh 180 pounds, and you are carrying 40 pounds of baggage.
The wedding ceremony is scheduled for 4:00 PM, and your passenger is part of the wedding party. Due to the importance of the event, there is added pressure to arrive on time.
Weather along the route is forecast to be MVFR to IFR, with lowering ceilings, multiple cloud layers, and scattered rain showers, particularly in the Houston area. Conditions are expected to remain above approach minimums, but will require careful planning and sound decision-making throughout the flight.
You are planning a midday departure to allow adequate time for the trip and any potential delays.
Following the wedding and reception, you are considering a return flight later that evening or delaying until the next morning depending on weather conditions and fatigue.
You are planning an IFR cross-country flight from McKinney National Airport (KTKI) to Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport / Adams Field (KLIT) to attend your sister’s college graduation.
You will be traveling with one passenger. You both weigh 180 pounds, and you are carrying 45 pounds of baggage.
The graduation ceremony is scheduled for 2:00 PM, and your family is expecting you to arrive before the event. Because this is an important family occasion, there is added personal pressure to complete the trip as planned.
Weather along the route is forecast to be MVFR to IFR, with the potential for low ceilings, layered clouds, and scattered rain near the destination. Conditions are expected to remain above approach minimums, but careful preflight planning and inflight decision-making will be required.
You are planning a morning departure to allow adequate time for the trip and any potential delays.
Following the graduation and family gathering, you are considering returning later that evening or delaying the return until the next day depending on weather and fatigue.
You have been hired by a client to provide transportation from McKinney National Airport (KTKI) to Durango–La Plata County Airport (KDRO), Colorado for a family vacation.
The client weighs 185 pounds and is traveling with 40 pounds of luggage. You will also have an overnight bag weighing 20 pounds.
Due to the distance of the trip, this flight will require at least one fuel stop en route.
You are expected to safely transport the client while making sound aeronautical decisions regarding routing, terrain, fuel planning, and weather.
Complete a Navigation Log to the first Fuel Stop only. We will look at your routing for the remainder of the flight to Pagosa Springs and discuss airspace, Terrain, and other potential Fuel Stops. (Routing has to be done using VFR checkpoints/Landmarks Per the ACS, You can not use GPS waypoints/victor airways. (IFR Routing))
You have been hired by a client to provide transportation from McKinney National Airport (KTKI) to Eppley Airfield (KOMA), Omaha, Nebraska for an important business meeting.
The client weighs 190 pounds and is traveling with 30 pounds of luggage. You will also have 20 pounds of personal baggage.
Due to the distance and expected winds, this flight will require at least one fuel stop en route.
The client expects a safe, efficient, and professional flight, placing pressure on you to properly plan routing, fuel, and timing for the trip.
Complete a Navigation Log to the first Fuel Stop only. We will look at your routing for the remainder of the flight to Omaha and discuss airspace, terrain, and other potential fuel stops. (Routing has to be done using VFR checkpoints/landmarks per the ACS. You may not use GPS waypoints or Victor airways for planning purposes.)
Please have a Weight and Balance for the cross-country scenario you chose above, along with just one for the Flight portion of the exam.
1. Make sure you and your instructor have been practicing all your maneuvers prior to your exam. 3 hours of checkride Prep is preparing and fine tuning everything for the Practice Test.
2. Make sure you are familiar with the ACS for your particular checkride. That book is your entire exam. Seth Lake / VSL aviation has some amazing videos on YouTube explaining/Breakdown of the ACS. I highly suggest you watch those videos. Also look at chatdpe.com.
1. Make sure you and your instructor have logged ground instruction. Example 61.105 for the private Pilots is to have Received and logged ground training from an authorized instructor, or completed a home study course covering knowledge subject areas of 61.105(b) 1-13ii. (Typically, this is an endorsement you have received from an online ground school course.)
61.107 is to have received & logged ground & Flight instruction from an authorized instructor covering areas of 61.107(b)(1) i-xii for the Private Pilot.
2. I recommend an endorsement stating: “I have given, [name of student] [Blank] Hours of ground instruction covering the areas of 61.107(b) (1)i-xii” — CFI name/Number/expiration dat
Please look closely at the regs for what needs to be logged for ground for Instrument, Commercial, etc.
3. Remember your Long 300 nm cross country, 5 Hours of nighttime, and 10 Take offs and landings at a towered airport Must be all Solo OR performing duties of PIC with an authorized instructor onboard. (See below)
61.127(4)
Ten hours of solo flight time in a single engine airplane or 10 hours of flight time performing the duties of pilot in command in a single engine airplane with an authorized instructor on board (either of which may be credited towards the flight time requirement under paragraph (a)(2) of this section), on the areas of operation listed under § 61.127(b)(1) that include—
(i) One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 nautical miles from the original departure point. However, if this requirement is being met in Hawaii, the longest segment need only have a straight-line distance of at least 150 nautical miles; and
(ii) 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
4. If you are using Simulator Hours towards your Instrument Rating or Commercial License to meet the Hour requirements, you need to bring a copy of the Letter of Authorization to confirm the Simulator you used is approved towards the hours and rating you are applying for. Attached is a copy of the Simulator that we own that shows the simulator can only be used ONLY for 10 hours towards an Instrument Rating. Many of you are using simulators towards your Instrument Time, or a full 50 hours towards your commercial. We need to see that Letter of Authorization to confirm that those simulator hours will count. Attached is a copy of the letter for my simulator for Reference (Red Bird TD2 Letter of Authorization).
5. Don’t forget — you are supposed to supply your own pair of Foggles/view limiting device for your checkride.
6. Thank you for choosing me as your DPE! I’m looking forward to your checkride!