
Private Pilot ACS- Most Important Page
Oct 09, 2025The One Page That Can Make or Break Your Check-Ride
There’s one page in the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS) that can save you from failing—or worse, not even getting to take your check-ride. It’s not a trick question, and it’s not a hidden secret. It’s right there near the back of the book: the checklist page of everything you need on test day.
You’d be surprised how many pilots don’t even know it exists. Kenny asked Heather and Lindsey which page he meant, and they both knew instantly—the checklist. Yet, from the dozens of Final Approach Course students who’ve walked through the hangar doors, nearly none have arrived with every required document ready to go.
At H.O.G.S., we’ve got backups for everything—charts, logbooks, maintenance records, even airworthiness certificates—because we know how often people forget. But not every school is that prepared, and not every examiner will wait while you hunt for missing documents.
What the Examiner Told Kenny 25 Years Ago
Early in his teaching career, Kenny asked a seasoned examiner for one tip to help him become a better instructor. The answer was simple:
“Make sure your students know that checklist page in the PTS (now ACS). Go through it with them weeks before the check-ride.”
Decades later, that advice still holds true. Examiners nationwide have had to cancel or delay check-rides because applicants show up missing required paperwork—like maintenance logs, registration, or the original medical certificate. A copy won’t cut it.
Treat It Like Kindergarten
Kenny likes to joke that going through the ACS checklist should feel like kindergarten—step-by-step, item-by-item. Don’t assume you have something; pull it out and check.
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Airworthiness and registration? Physically see them.
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Aircraft maintenance logs? Verify they’re accessible and current.
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Medical certificate? Make sure it’s the original, not a photocopy.
It takes maybe 10 minutes, but it can save you hours—or even days—of frustration.
The Basics Never Go Away
Every pilot, from student to seasoned CFI, can benefit from this reminder: the basics never stop mattering. The ACS checklist is the foundation for a smooth, stress-free check-ride. Forget it, and you’re setting yourself up for a preventable disaster.
So before your next check-ride, grab your ACS, flip to that back page, and go through it line by line. It’s not just about paperwork—it’s about professionalism.
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