How to Use the Examiner as a Resource During Your Check-Ride

Oct 19, 2025

You’re on your check-ride. You’ve worked hard, prepped for weeks, and finally made it to this moment. The examiner’s sitting next to you. You’re focused, checklist in hand, and things are going smoothly—until you ask a question, and they say one little word:

“No.”

That single word can send a shock through any pilot. But here’s the truth—the examiner isn’t trying to trip you up. They’re doing what they’re supposed to do: seeing how you think when the script runs out.


The Examiner Is a Resource — Use Them Wisely

Too many students treat the examiner like an adversary. They sit there tense, afraid to say or ask anything. But that mindset can actually hurt you.

Here’s the secret: the examiner is part of your crew.

It’s perfectly acceptable to ask them for help—whether that’s pushing carb heat, holding a door, or handling something minor while you stay focused on flying the helicopter.

The catch? You’ve got to be prepared for them to say “no.”


Real Example: Carb Heat in a Hover

During one of my check-rides, we came down to a hover with full carb heat on. At that point, I had two options:

  1. Ask the examiner to push the carb heat down for me.

  2. Take my hand off the collective to do it myself.

I asked politely, “Hey, would you mind pushing that carb heat down?”

And guess what? The examiner said, “No, you do it.”

Now, I knew the rule: you never take your hand off the collective in a hover. That’s a no-go. So instead of risking it, I safely set the helicopter down, rolled off power just a bit, locked the collective, pushed it down myself, then brought it back up.

Was it slower? Sure. But it was safe—and it showed sound decision-making.


Why It Matters

Every year, helicopters are rolled, wrecked, or destroyed because someone took their hand off the collective. I can think of three cases just in the last year. One was an instructor reaching to close a door. Another was a student out solo. In both cases, the helicopter rolled over in seconds.

All it takes is one moment of “I’ll just reach for that real quick” to end a career before it even starts.

So when an examiner says “no,” it’s not punishment—it’s a test of your judgment, safety mindset, and professionalism.


The Real Lesson

When your examiner says “no,” it’s your chance to show how you think as a pilot.
Do you react emotionally, or do you calmly assess and adapt?

That’s what separates the check-ride passers from the ones who fold under pressure.

Ask for help when appropriate.
Always stay within safe limits.
And most importantly—never let ego override common sense.

Remember, a “no” isn’t failure. It’s an opportunity to prove your decision-making skills.



Wrapping It Up

Your examiner isn’t your enemy—they’re your final instructor. Treat them with respect, communicate clearly, and when they push back, show them you can think like a pilot who puts safety first.

That’s how you turn a setback into success.


Ready to build real check-ride confidence?
Train smarter, not harder, with the H.O.G.S. online courses designed to help you pass with confidence.

Start your free 24-hour test flight today at HelicopterGround.com
Or text Heather at (574) 767-1797 to find the right course for you.