Checkride worksheet
Aircraft Maintenance Checkride Checklist
Prepare for the airworthiness part of your checkride: AROW, AV1ATE inspections, AD compliance, inoperative equipment, POH/AFM, and maintenance log evidence.
Best for
Pilots who need to prove the aircraft is legal and safe before the practical test flight.
Why it matters
Airworthiness answers should be boring, sourced, and specific to the aircraft sitting outside.
Download the PPL + IFR + Commercial + CFI Oral Exam Guide
48-page PDF with 132 examiner Q&A, War Room bonus, and printable Operating System workbook.
How to use this before the checkride
Start with AROW: airworthiness certificate, registration, operating limitations, and weight and balance.
Use AV1ATE for recurring inspections: annual, VOR if IFR, 100-hour if required, ADs, transponder, and ELT.
Add pitot-static and altimeter checks when operating IFR under 91.411.
Verify inoperative equipment using the correct path: MEL if applicable, KOEL, 91.213, placard, deactivate, and maintenance record entry.
Practice explaining where each item is proven in the aircraft records.
Airworthiness Proof Grid
Copy this into your notebook, or use the printable version inside the Complete Checkride Bundle.
| Item | Current? | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Annual inspection | Yes / No | Logbook entry date |
| 100-hour if required | Yes / No / N/A | Tach time |
| Transponder | Yes / No | 24-calendar-month check |
| ELT | Yes / No | Inspection / battery status |
| AD compliance | Yes / No | AD list / log entry |
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Get the printable prep flow plus the three items most students forget before a DPE sees the binder.
Common mistakes this prevents
- Reciting AV1ATE without knowing which items apply to today's operation.
- Saying 'the school handles maintenance' instead of proving airworthiness as PIC.
- Forgetting that inoperative equipment requires a legal path, not just a sticky note.
- Confusing aircraft documents in the airplane with maintenance records in the office.
FAQ
What is AV1ATE?
AV1ATE is a memory aid for common inspection requirements: Annual, VOR check if IFR, 100-hour if required, AD compliance, Transponder, and ELT. You still need to know when each item applies.
What are AROW documents?
AROW refers to the required aircraft documents: Airworthiness certificate, Registration, Operating limitations, and Weight and balance data.
Can I fly a checkride with inoperative equipment?
Possibly, but only if the equipment is handled legally through the applicable MEL or 91.213 process, and the aircraft remains safe for the operation. Be ready to explain the exact path.
Next prep step
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