Welcome to the PAVE Study Guide. Welcome to the PAVE Study Guide. As you prepare for your checkride, it’s important to polish up the knowledge from your written test days.
This study guide is meant to refresh that knowledge that is actionable to a flight, and practical in application. In other words, your written test was pure knowledge, but now that you’ve flown and have applied that knowledge, it’s time to look at knowledge in a practical and applicable way rather than simple memorization.
PAVE is an format created by someone at the FAA, and I found it very helpful in applying knowledge to a checkride.
Not only will PAVE be helpful for your checkride, but it’s a great way to evaluate any flight you’re going to take, especially cross countries.
As such, enjoy the process of applying this to memory so you can evaluate any flight you’re going to take.
Throttle On!
Chris PalmerFounder & Chief Flight Instructor
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PILOT LOGBOOK
There are three simple rules for making a
smooth landing. Unfortunately, no
one knows what they are.
unknown
“
”
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P for PILOT
NOTES
Start with the most important thing — you. Are you fit for flight?
Are you legal to do the operation you’d like? Do you have all the
paperwork necessary?
IMSAFEI
M
S
A
F
E
Documents3 Documents
1. M. How long is it good for?
2. P. Who must issue this?
3. L. Does it expire?
Currency | Recency | ProficiencyEvery 90 Days for Passengers
Day
Night
Every 24 Calendar Months
Instrument Recency 6 HITS:
Within 6 months:
After 6 months, before 1 Year:_
After 1 Year:
Personal Minimums: Print and fill out.
Privileges & Limitations When can you fly IFR?
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P for PILOT
NOTES
Hazardous AttitudesMacho
Define:
Antidote:
Invulnerability
Define:
Antidote:
Impulsivity
Define:
Antidote:
Antiauthority
Define:
Antidote:
Resignation
Define:
Antidote:
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NEED TO KNOW:
Just because you’ve already gone through most of these items in your Private Pilot checkride, doesn’t mean they’re not still relevant. Be focused on your ability to remain not only proficient as an instrument pilot, but certainly legally through keeping to your recency requirements for IFR.
A for AIRCRAFT
NOTES
What is required to make sure the aircraft is airworthy to fly?
What does it need to be legal? What can we do without? Knowing
the state of an aircraft before you take it for a flight is just common
sense and good decision making.
DocumentsA
R
R
O
W
MaintenanceA
V
1
A
T
E
Required EquipmentFARs
MELs
KOEL
TCDS
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A for AIRCRAFT
NOTES
Aircraft SystemsStudy your POH/AFM and ready to explain the operation of the fol-
lowing systems. Most of what you’ll be asked will be applicable to
your aircraft:
Propellor
Engine
Fuel
Flight Controls
Hydraulics
De-ice/Anti-ice (if installed)
Pressurization (if installed)
Oxygen System (if installed)
Aircraft Instruments
Be ready to explain how each instrument works, possible errors, and
troubleshooting for partial panel or inop equipment.
Pitot Static
1. A
2. A
3. v
Vacuum
1. A
2. DG/HSI
3. v
TAA (if installed)
Static Port Blockage
Pitot Blockage (front, back, and both)
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A for AIRCRAFT
NOTES
Nav Equipment VOR
ILS
DME
RNAV/GPS/WAAS/RAIM
Autopilot
Aerodynamics V Speeds
Vs: KTS or MPH
Vso: KTS or MPH
Vne: KTS or MPH
Vfe: KTS or MPH
Vno: KTS or MPH
Va: KTS or MPH
Vx: KTS or MPH
Vy: KTS or MPH
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KNOW YOUR AIRPLANE:
It’s important to understand the systems and performance of your aircraft, regardless of what license you’re pursuing. In this case, focus on instruments and systems required for IFR. You’ll want to be familiar with any GPS and Nav equipment as well.
V for ENVIRONMENT
NOTES
Take a holistic view of your flight plan and everything you will face
in between. Think of the entire environment you’ll be flying through,
and what is required to do so successfully and safety. Be ready to
answer other questions not related to your flight plan.
WeatherTheory
Atmospheric Composition
Wind
Temperature
Moisture & Precip
Weather System (masses, fronts)
Clouds
Turbulence
Thunderstorms & Turbulence
Icing and Freezing Levels
Fog (4 types)
Frost (on ground)
Briefing
Forecasts
TAFs
GFA
Airmets
Sigmets
Winds Aloft
Observations
METARs
PIREP
Convection
Radar
Convection Sigmets
Your Briefing and Plan
Havepreparedaplanofaction,briefing,andago-no-godecision
based on todays weather.
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V for ENVIRONMENT
NOTES
PerformanceDensity Altitude
Crosswind Component
Takeoff Performance Charts
Landing Performance Charts
Climb
Cruise
Fuel Planning
Day Mins:
Night Mins:
Personal Mins:
Weight and Balance:
Max Gross Weight
MaxTakeoffWeight(ifdifferent)
MaxLandingWeight(ifdifferent)
Useful Load
Be ready to calculate
What’s the W&B for the checkride?
PlanningRoute
Navlog & Calculations
Considerations
Types of Navigation
Alternates:
Whenisanalternaterequired(1-2-3)?
If yes, what wx mins are required for alternate?
Precision:
Non-Precision:
No Instrument Approach:
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V for ENVIRONMENT
NOTES
Airspace (as desired for instrument)Class A
What does it look like on a chart?
Dimensions?
Cloud & Visibility Requirements:
Communication requirements?
Transponder Required?
Speed Restrictions?
Class B
What does it look like on a chart?
Dimensions?
Cloud & Visibility Requirements:
Communication requirements?
Transponder Required?
Speed Restrictions?
Class C
What does it look like on a chart?
Dimensions?
Cloud & Visibility Requirements:
Communication requirements?
Transponder Required?
Speed Restrictions?
Class D
What does it look like on a chart?
Dimensions?
Cloud & Visibility Requirements:
Communication requirements?
Transponder Required?
Speed Restrictions?
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V for ENVIRONMENT
NOTES
AirspaceClass E
What does it look like on a chart?
Dimensions?
Cloud & Visibility Requirements:
Communication requirements?
Transponder Required?
Speed Restrictions?
Class G
What does it look like on a chart?
Dimensions?
Cloud & Visibility Requirements:
Communication requirements?
Transponder Required?
Speed Restrictions?
IFR and AIRSPACE:
You won’t be tested on airspace during the oral portion of the checkride. It’s assumed that you’ll be flying an instrument flight plan and under those rules. Keep in mind your checkride could be conducted in VFR conditions, only simulating IFR. This doesn’t absolve you from keeping those VFR airspace rules.
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V for ENVIRONMENT
NOTES
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Special Use Airspace Define the following, if you can fly there, and what communications
are required:
Prohibited:
Restricted:
MOA:
SFRA:
TFR:
AirportsMarkings, Signs & Lighting
Visualaidsrequiredforflightbelowmins
Approach Lighting Systems
Runway Incursions
Traffic Pattern
Communications
Chart Supplement
IFR ProceduresClearances
C
R
A
F
T
IFR Takeoff MinsPart 91:
Part 121, 125, 129, 135:
Departures & ArrivalsODP:
VCOA:
SID:
STAR:
V for ENVIRONMENT
NOTES
Enroute ChartsAltitudes
DA/H:
MAA:
MCA:
MDA/H:
MEA:
MOCA:
MORA:
MRA:
MVA:
OROCA:
Airports
Frequencies
Mandatory IFR Reports
MARVELOUS VFR C 500M:
A:
R:
V:
E:
L:
O:
U:
S:
V:
F:
R:
C:
500:
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V for ENVIRONMENT
NOTES
Holding ProceduresEntries
1.Direct
2.Teardrop
3.Parallel
Holding Speeds
Up to 6K MSL:
6K — 14K:
Above 14K:
Lost Comms ProceduresAltitude: A:
V:
E:
F:
Route: M:
E:
A:
ABOUT THE ORAL:
These pages are the most significant pages in this PAVE Study Guide. Operational knowledge of how things operate throughout the IFR environement will be the central role and focus of your checkride.
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V for ENVIRONMENT
NOTES
Approach TypesDon’t be expected to be tested on all. You’ll be doing a precision and
non-precision approach. LPV can be used in place of precision for the
test if non other is available.
Review and become familiar with approaches you may use on your
checkride.
PrecisionILS:
MLS:
PAR:
GLS:
TLS:
Non-PrecisionVOR:
NDB:
RNAV:
LOC:
LDA:
SDF:
ASR:
Other
Visual:
Contact:
Do not fly a procedure turn when…S
H
A
R
P
T
T
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V for ENVIRONMENT
NOTES
Descent Below the MDA/DA
The 3 Conditions
Visual References
NEED TO KNOW:
You are expected to have a good working knoweldge of procedures and how to fly them. After all, isn’t that what most of the IFR training has been about? Know your stuff well and how to be safe, but remember a checkride isn’t meant to require perfection of the applicant.
External PressuresBehonestabouttherisksandevaluatewhetherornotthisisaflightyou
should make. If there’s pressure, build in more time, most options, or
letthosewhoyou’reflyingwithormeetingatthedestinationknowthat
‘when there’s time to spare, go by air’.
Is this a required flight?
Is there a time crunch?
Is this a big life event?
Are you compromised emotionally?
What alternate plans can you make if the flight doesn’t work out?
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Felix Baumgartner
“
”
Sometimes you have to go up really high to see how small you are.
Felix Baumgartner
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WHAT TO DO NEXT? Join us at Checkride ACE for the full video course. Not only is this Checkride Checklist explained in detail, but we go over the many aspects.
First, you’ll learn how to keep the big picture perspective on this entire process, and why your mindset is the most important thing you can master.
Second, you’ll polish up on the knowledge material and study for those things can could be asked during the test.
Third, you’ll organize all of the materials, crunch numbers, prepare your checkride folder, and check off your preparation for every item.
Last, you’ll learn about the checkride itself, what the oral and practical test are like, and how to best conduct yourself for success. Because of the prep you did in the other three steps, you’ll be lightyears ahead of other applicants.
Go to CheckrideACE.com to learn more, sign up today, and start your preparation now for your checkride.
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THERE’S MORE TO LEARN
Send us a pirep You’ve heard of a PIREP, right? A Pilot Report may generally be used for weather, but we have a quick request.
If you see anything in this checklist that needs correcting, clarification, or even things we need to add or take away, please reach out. We want to make this a powerful tool for the community through the collective experience of all.
Send an email to [email protected] with details.
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