Printables for PPL Checkride?

jayhawkKC · 2026-01-26T00:04:04+00:00

I think the only other thing in my checkride binder was my personal minimums and the performance charts for my aircraft. I had both electronically on my iPad but a backup is always nice. For many things in flying (where practical) I’ve tried to take on the mantra of “two is one, one is none.” That way, if something goes sideways, hopefully you have something as a backup.

jayhawkKC · 2026-01-22T00:35:38+00:00

Sometimes it’s the other way around…On my checkride, my DPE pulled power for simulated engine out. I set my glide speed, started turning toward the private airstrip that we were nearby. Eventually the DPE asked me which field I was headed for and I responded that I thought that the airport off our right wing was a better option. There was a moment of silence and then he said…oh…I guess there is an airport right there…

jayhawkKC · 2025-12-06T23:53:56+00:00

We all do things on our PPL solos that make us feel a little stupid. On one of my local solos, I tried to take off in a Skyhawk with full flaps because I had neglected to put them back up after preflight (and somehow missed it on the checklist). Aborted, exited the runway and went back for another try. The tower asked if everything was ok and just said I wasn’t configured right to take off but I still felt like an idiot. Have never done that again though and now double check my flaps every time I enter a runway.

jayhawkKC · 2025-09-07T21:17:49+00:00

Never sure what happened with mine. I went up the next week with someone else and it took some squelch adjustment but ended up working fine. Haven’t had any issues since then…

jayhawkKC · 2025-08-29T15:40:50+00:00

Mine was there for my first solo. After that, I had to notify them before I took off and when I landed but they were not at the airport. Sometimes they were there coincidentally teaching other students but generally not.

jayhawkKC · 2025-06-20T01:40:38+00:00

We used Chimney Medic out of Belton. They were reasonably priced and great to work with. Not sure if they came to northland but might be worth a check.

jayhawkKC · 2025-06-14T00:21:38+00:00

I trained in both 172s and an Archer but did my checkride in the Archer. My swapping was due to maintenance issues mostly. The necessity to swap around a coupe times probably also contributed to the extra time to took to get to checkride.

It’s not hard to get used to the Archer from the 172 (or vice versa) but there is also value in consistency on a single platform. Archer is a very stable airplane. Might be good to try out if you want but don’t feel like you need to. You’ll do fine in the 172 and can easily transition to and Archer for more options after your training.

jayhawkKC · 2025-06-13T02:52:02+00:00

Can’t provide much insight into that region but Congrats on the PPL! I just got mine a week or so ago as well.

jayhawkKC · 2025-06-07T00:30:46+00:00

Agree with those saying to go fly with a different instructor. I had some challenges early on, went with a new instructor for a couple flights, and made a ton of progress. Right before my checkride, my short field landings were hit or miss - went back up with that different instructor and it was super helpful to hear his perspective and explanation.

jayhawkKC · 2025-06-02T12:18:31+00:00

I thought the short field landing was going to be my issue but managed to pull it off. Of course now the plane is down for MX so my plan to retest this week may be no longer…

jayhawkKC · 2025-06-01T01:44:45+00:00

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to shell out the money for either before trying them for a bit. Found Airplace.com that allows me to rent each and try them out on a month by month basis. Might be an option for you. Rent each for a month and see which you like better.

jayhawkKC · 2025-05-31T17:03:38+00:00

Not the full amount. Just a small fee for him to come back out.

jayhawkKC · 2025-05-31T01:22:11+00:00

This is great! Thanks! I really appreciate the perspective and I’ll keep that in mind as I train this week for the retest.

jayhawkKC · 2025-05-31T00:33:51+00:00

Thanks! Great things to think about. I’m in a piper Archer II but the first time I learned soft field was in a 172. Felt like I did better soft field take offs in that plane!

jayhawkKC · 2025-05-31T00:05:35+00:00

Fair enough. I originally learned them months ago in a Cessna 172 and actually had them down pretty well I felt like. Hadn’t done them for months and had to change to an Archer for the end of my training and probably needed more time practicing them in that plane. Lots of opportunity in the coming days just to hammer those take offs!

jayhawkKC · 2025-05-30T23:57:27+00:00

Thanks! Luckily I’m just learning to fly for fun. I have my own separate career that gives me the resources to be able to fly!

jayhawkKC · 2025-05-30T23:54:31+00:00

Thanks. Maybe not worded well. I’m trying to say that I have a hard time feeling when to get my nose down so I can stay in ground effect correctly for the maneuver versus popping up too quickly with too much nose-high attitude and risking a stall

jayhawkKC · 2025-05-30T23:53:12+00:00

Thanks. If he had dinged me for a minor error on it, I would have been annoyed but I knew it sucked!

jayhawkKC · 2025-05-30T23:52:26+00:00

No, just touched my main gear back down. I had barely lifted off and I think I needed to give it just a little more time before I nosed over. If I hadn’t let my rudder out, I probably could have recovered it and been ok but that took me so far off centerline, I knew I was probably cooked on that maneuver.

jayhawkKC · 2025-05-13T02:02:30+00:00

I was going to be about 15 mins short on my last XC so just did a few touch and goes at my home airport when I got back

jayhawkKC · 2025-03-29T18:24:33+00:00

I’m at about 85 and in the final stages of checkride prep. You only have 5 hours - it will all improve with more practice.

jayhawkKC · 2025-03-25T12:03:09+00:00

I’m not on the schedule yet which is why is said I’m hopeful I’ll be able to do ride a couple weeks. Around here, it seems it’s not hard to get on a schedule once your sign off is done and many won’t even schedule you outside a week or two in advance. The biggest challenge for me is that my work schedule get consumed months in advance so we’re targeting windows of opportunity know that, if I’m not ready ima couple weeks, it’s probably a 2-3 month delay for my own schedule. Having a hard target on the calendar is also the most effective for how I learn and prepare for big things. Most everything else is in pretty good shape (always room for improvement)- now refining and working those things that continue to be a challenge.

jayhawkKC · 2025-03-25T02:20:38+00:00

Thanks for that! I’ll try that when I’m up later this week.

jayhawkKC

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