The Problem: Unprepared Applicants

One of the most frustrating experiences for a DPE is having an applicant arrive on checkride day without the required paperwork. An expired medical, a missing endorsement, an incomplete IACRA application, or forgotten aircraft documents can force a discontinuance before the checkride even begins. The pre-checkride checklist system eliminates these day-of surprises by systematically verifying readiness weeks in advance.

How Checklists Are Generated

Checklists are generated automatically when a checkride is created. The platform analyzes two key inputs:

  • Checkride type — The certificate or rating being sought (Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, CFI, ATP, etc.) determines the regulatory requirements under 14 CFR Part 61.
  • Applicant certificates — The applicant's existing certificates and ratings, retrieved from the FAA Airman Registry, determine which prerequisites and endorsements are needed.

Rather than presenting a generic list, the platform produces a precise set of items specific to each applicant's situation.

Checklist Categories

Every pre-checkride checklist organizes items into these categories:

  • IACRA Application — Verifies the applicant has submitted their Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application and can provide their FTN. Completed by applicant self-attestation. Common issue: applicants confuse starting an application with submitting it (the recommending instructor must have signed it).
  • Photo ID — A valid, current government-issued photo ID per 14 CFR 61.3. The applicant uploads an image for DPE review. Watch for expired IDs and name mismatches with IACRA.
  • Medical Certificate — An appropriate class medical that will be current on the checkride date (not just today).
  • Pilot Certificate — Verifies prerequisite certificates for the checkride type (e.g., Private for Instrument, Commercial for CFI). Verified automatically via the Airman Registry lookup.
  • Endorsements — All required flight and ground training endorsements per 14 CFR Part 61 and AC 61-65 for the specific certificate or rating. Endorsements vary significantly by checkride type.
  • Airworthiness / Aircraft — Registration, airworthiness certificate, AD compliance, and current annual (or 100-hour) inspection. Typically self-attested by the applicant; verified by the DPE on checkride day.
  • Knowledge Test — Proof of passing the applicable FAA knowledge test within the 60-month validity period. The checklist flags results that will expire before the scheduled checkride date.
  • Fees — Confirmation that the applicant understands and is prepared to pay the examiner fee. The fee amount is pulled from your checkride type configuration.

How Items Adapt to Applicant Certificates

Checklist tailoring is one of the most valuable features. Examples:

  • Student pilot seeking Private — Full set of endorsements (pre-solo, solo, cross-country, knowledge test prep, practical test). No prerequisite certificate check.
  • Private pilot adding Instrument — Instrument-specific endorsements only. Prerequisite check confirms Private Pilot certificate is held.
  • Commercial pilot seeking CFI — CFI-specific endorsements. Prerequisite check confirms Commercial certificate with appropriate ratings. Spin endorsement required for airplane single-engine.
  • CFI adding CFII — CFII-specific training endorsements. Prerequisite check confirms active CFI certificate.

Airman Registry Lookup

The FAA Airman Registry is the official database of certificated airmen, containing records of pilot certificates, ratings, limitations, and medical certificate information. The platform integrates with this registry to automatically retrieve and verify applicant certificate data.

What Data Is Retrieved

  • Certificates held — Student Pilot, Private, Commercial, ATP, Flight Instructor, etc.
  • Ratings — ASEL, AMEL, Instrument Airplane, Rotorcraft-Helicopter, etc.
  • Limitations — Any limitations on certificates.
  • Medical certificate class and date — Class held and date of most recent examination.

If the lookup returns no data, the applicant is treated as a first-time applicant and the checklist includes all applicable items. If results seem incorrect, have the applicant verify their certificate number; recently issued certificates may take days or weeks to appear in the FAA database.

Encourage applicants to link their certificate number during account setup so the checklist is ready when their checkride is created.

Document Collection

Some checklist items require the applicant to upload a document so you can review it well in advance of the checkride. This is particularly important when a Letter of Discontinuance or Notice of Disapproval is possible, as the applicant's documents will affect your preparation for the checkride.