Checkride worksheet
Checkride Personal Minimums Worksheet
Set personal minimums before your FAA checkride: ceiling, visibility, wind, crosswind, fuel reserve, runway length, fatigue, and alternate triggers.
Best for
Applicants who want a clean, defensible go/no-go conversation with the DPE.
Why it matters
Personal minimums are not a motivational quote. They are pre-made decisions that protect you when stress tries to negotiate.
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How to use this before the checkride
Set minimums before looking at today's weather. Otherwise you will unconsciously move the line to fit the flight.
Separate legal minimums from personal minimums. Legal does not automatically mean smart.
Write hard triggers for delay or cancel: ceiling, visibility, crosswind, gust factor, fuel reserve, fatigue, and aircraft status.
Use your actual recent performance. If you have not landed in a 12-knot crosswind recently, do not make that your checkride comfort line.
Bring the worksheet to your mock oral and explain one decision out loud.
Minimums Table
Copy this into your notebook, or use the printable version inside the Complete Checkride Bundle.
| Risk item | My limit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling / visibility | ____ ft / ____ SM | Recent experience |
| Surface wind / gust | ____ kt / ____ kt gust | Control margin |
| Crosswind component | ____ kt | Recent landings |
| Fuel reserve | ____ minutes | Delay / diversion buffer |
| Fatigue / IMSAFE | Go / no-go trigger | Human performance |
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Common mistakes this prevents
- Writing minimums that are stricter than reality but ignoring them on test day.
- Using the airplane's demonstrated crosswind as your personal crosswind limit.
- Forgetting density altitude, runway length, and obstacle environment in the go/no-go call.
- Treating fatigue and nerves as irrelevant because the weather looks good.
FAQ
Are personal minimums required by the FAA?
The FAA expects risk management, and personal minimums are a practical way to show it. They are not a regulation by themselves, but they help you explain safe PIC judgment during the oral.
Can my checkride continue if weather is below my personal minimums?
You should discuss it with your CFI and DPE. A conservative delay or discontinuance for weather can be the correct PIC decision. Do not let schedule pressure override safety.
What crosswind limit should I use?
Use a number based on recent demonstrated proficiency, not the aircraft's maximum demonstrated crosswind. If you have not practiced near that value recently, use a lower personal limit.
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