Checkride worksheet
Checkride Binder Checklist
Build a checkride binder the night before your FAA practical test: ID, endorsements, IACRA, aircraft records, weather, performance, and DPE-ready tabs.
Best for
Student pilots within 14 days of a PPL, instrument, commercial, or CFI checkride.
Why it matters
A binder reduces DPE friction. The first ten minutes of many checkrides are document verification; make that part boring.
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
Put applicant documents first: photo ID, pilot certificate, medical or BasicMed, knowledge test report, IACRA/FTN, and logbook endorsements.
Put aircraft documents second: airworthiness certificate, registration, operating limitations or POH/AFM, weight and balance data, and equipment list.
Put maintenance proof third: annual, 100-hour if required, transponder, pitot-static, ELT, VOR check if IFR, and AD compliance notes.
Put flight planning last: weather briefing, NOTAMs, nav log, W&B, performance, fuel plan, alternates, and personal minimums.
Tab every section so you can retrieve it in under ten seconds without apologizing or searching.
Binder Tab Plan
Copy this into your notebook, or use the printable version inside the Complete Checkride Bundle.
| Tab | Must prove | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant | Eligibility, identity, endorsements | Logbook / IACRA / ID |
| Aircraft | AROW documents and legal equipment | Aircraft binder / POH |
| Maintenance | Required inspections current today | Maintenance logs |
| Planning | Safe go/no-go and performance | Briefing / nav log / W&B |
| DPE notes | Fees, meeting time, special asks | DPE email / CFI notes |
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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
- Showing up with only photos of aircraft records when the DPE asked for originals or official copies.
- Having endorsements somewhere in a digital logbook but not knowing where to find them quickly.
- Computing W&B with generic numbers instead of the actual aircraft empty weight and moment.
- Treating the binder as decoration instead of using it during the oral to support answers.
FAQ
Do I need a physical binder for a checkride?
Not always. Many applicants use ForeFlight, a digital logbook, and scanned records. A physical binder still helps because it lets the DPE verify documents quickly and gives you a calm backup if Wi-Fi, battery, or app login fails.
Should I include aircraft maintenance logs?
Bring whatever your DPE and flight school require. At minimum, be able to prove annual, 100-hour if applicable, transponder, pitot-static if IFR, ELT, VOR check if IFR, and AD compliance.
What should be first in the binder?
Put applicant eligibility first: photo ID, pilot certificate, medical or BasicMed, knowledge test report, IACRA/FTN, and endorsements. That is usually the first DPE verification flow.
Next prep step
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