PRIVATE PILOT CHECKRIDE
Getaway to Mackinac Island
You’re flying to Mackinac Island, MI (MCD) for your 10th wedding anniversary celebration, which includes a surprise private dinner reservation on the island. The airplane belongs to a flying club, and it's due for an annual inspection next week. A moderate crosswind is expected upon arrival. If you don’t make the trip, the dinner reservation will be lost, and the event won’t be rescheduled for the weekend.
COMMON DOCUMENTATION ERRORS TO CHECK FOR
Arriving without ground training is equal to arriving without flight training logged. 61.107 requires a log of ground and flight training for a Private Pilot Certificate.
Sometimes weather causes a last-minute change in routing. Make sure the route flown is accurate in the endorsement and the dates match.
All endorsements should match the student's legal name. No nicknames, partial, or abbreviations will be accepted.
Plan on your math being double-checked. Errors could cause you to wrongfully believe you are meeting the requirements.
Make sure there are no gaps in the solo endorsements, unless it is intentional.
New solo endorsements are usually required after switching to a new make and model for initial solo as well as the 90 day endorsement.
Endorsements pre-printed in logbooks are not always current or acceptable. Most do not exactly match the FAA's recommended verbiage in the advisory circulars.
This should be included in your logbook even if it was signed-off through an online ground school.
FREQUENTLY OVERLOOKED FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS
Only full-stop landings count towards the requirement. The logbook entry should specify if they were full stop.
100NM cross country must be completed entirely at night. Departing before sunset and logging day flight on the night cross country will likely not be accepted.
Often appears to be saved until the end of training and the minimum night experience could be missed more easily than the overall requirements.
For Private Pilot, the regulation states instrument time is in an airplane, not a simulator.
Do the cross counties meet the distance requirements?
8710 AND IACRA TIPS
Applicants often have single-engine sea selected for a single-engine land check ride.
Use the type including model designator, for example CE-172-M. Only one aircraft should be selected in "aircraft to be used" sections of IACRA
In most cases dual received plus solo should equal the total time. PIC should equal solo time.
You will need to login to IACRA on the day-of the checkride to sign your application. Most people use their own device because that is where their password is saved. Make sure pop-up blockers are turned off on your device.
In case of technical issues, we can use the IACRA generated 8710 to continue so keeping an extra copy is a good idea.
Mismatch is an automatic disqualification. This must be corrected by your FSDO. Be prepared to provide proof of citizenship for the country indicated. If dual Citizenship, choose what is already on your FAA Certificate.
Be sure to complete the class totals and fill out your airplane PIC time. For Private applicants, solo time should match PIC.
Select DO NOT USE or be prepared to show proof that your SSN is correct.
Updating your user profile in IACRA does not automatically count as reporting an address change. Complete form 8060-55 or change it online with airman services before making a new application.
Verify your date of birth, current certificate issue date, and date of birth on the application.