Steven Arthur Martin DPE Checkride Gouges

Steve Martin gives a detailed PPL checkride at KPVG, based on the one report on file as of this writing. He starts by asking for your medical, logbook, student certificate, and a government photo ID. Have all of it out and ready before you sit down. The pilot who reported had two flights that were not properly filled out, which became an issue. Log and sign every flight before you arrive.

He also inspects the aircraft himself before you fly. He uses the ARROW acronym for documents and the AVIATES acronym for the main aircraft logbook. Know where the current logs and annuals live in that red book. For preflight, he wants you to use the checklist and check every part. He asks about the propeller and what you look for, which is cracks, plus how cracks form and what they affect.

The oral runs long and covers class, category, and type, along with privileges and limitations. He asks about BasicMed, how to obtain it, and its limitations. Airspace and sectional chart reading get heavy attention, including military training routes, transponder requirements, and every marking on the chart. He wants you to know how to contact Flight Service and what to say. He goes deep on systems and fuel, including why you cannot put jet fuel in a C172.

Expect questions on the four types of hypoxia, their symptoms, and how each happens. Carbon monoxide poisoning came up, coming from the engine through the heat vent. He also covers oxygen requirements and SFRA procedures, including how to file, who to contact, and lost comms.

On the flight, he watches taxi wind correction and clean radio calls for every movement. Announce the runway when you turn onto it. He starts with a short field takeoff and wants you in ground effect, then moves to your nav log.