Checkride guides by certificate
What to expect on each FAA practical test, and how to find and vet the examiner for your ride.
The private pilot checkride is most applicants' first FAA practical test: an oral covering regulations, weather, aircraft systems, and aeronautical decision-making, followed by a flight demonstrating the ACS maneuvers to standard.
The instrument checkride tests your ability to plan and fly in the IFR system: an oral heavy on weather, regulations, and procedures, then approaches, holds, and partial-panel work by reference to instruments.
The commercial checkride raises the precision bar and adds the commercial maneuvers. Expect a deeper oral on regulations that govern flying for compensation, plus higher-tolerance airmanship.
The flight instructor checkride is a teaching test as much as a flying test. Examiners assess the Fundamentals of Instructing and your ability to teach concepts and maneuvers as you fly them.
The ATP is the highest pilot certificate, often completed in a multi-engine airplane or simulator, with the most demanding knowledge and precision standards.
The sport pilot checkride covers light-sport operations with a focused oral and flight scoped to the privileges and limitations of the sport pilot certificate.
The recreational pilot checkride is scoped between sport and private, testing core airmanship within the recreational certificate's limits.