Understanding DPE Expectations: Commercial Check-Ride
Jan 28, 2025For those on the brink of advancing from private to commercial helicopter pilot, understanding the nuances of the check-ride process is essential. The journey from private to commercial pilot entails mastering not just the skies, but the manifold layers of aviation knowledge required for a seamless transition. In this post from Helicopter Online Ground School (H.O.G.S.), creator Kenny Keller dives deep into common deficiencies observed during commercial check-rides, and offer tips to better prepare for both the oral and practical portions.
Understanding the Oral Portion: Why Knowledge is Key
One of the most critical components of the commercial check-ride is the oral portion. As Kenny Keller highlights, "We almost never have a problem on a flight. Almost never. The problems that occur are knowledge, almost always knowledge". This is a striking revelation for many aspiring commercial pilots who might assume that their flying skills alone will see them through the check-ride.
The oral portion serves as a gateway to the flight test itself. If you do not pass the oral section, you won't even get the chance to demonstrate your flight skills. Therefore, a robust, all-encompassing understanding of aviation knowledge is non-negotiable.
Repetitive Knowledge: It's More Than Just Commercial
One common misconception is the assumption that passing the private pilot exam suffices as a foundation, and only additional commercial-specific knowledge needs to be mastered. This could not be further from the truth. According to Kenny, "A lot of times, like somebody's doing an add on pilot, they'll make the mistake of going, 'Well, I'm already a pilot, I'm just doing an add on, right? So I just need to know the helicopter stuff.' Well, not true". It’s vital to remember that foundational knowledge acquired during private training is still pertinent and will be tested again at the commercial level, albeit with more rigorous expectations.
Privileges and Limitations: A Whole New Ball Game
An area that often trips up candidates is the understanding of commercial pilot privileges and limitations. While the core knowledge from private pilot training remains essential, a deeper, more nuanced comprehension is required for commercial operations. "The only thing that changes is privileges and limitations," Keller notes, highlighting that "your commercial pilot privileges limitations are of course different".
This includes an understanding of what you need to carry on your person to fly, requirements to keep your license current, and equipment needed for different flight conditions (e.g., day versus night flight). It’s about taking the foundational knowledge and elevating it with the precision and accuracy expected of a commercial pilot.
Context and Terminology: Smooth and Precise
When transitioning from private to commercial, your ability to communicate knowledge smoothly and accurately becomes increasingly important. Keller, citing an examiner’s perspective, states, "If I ask you about settling with power in the private, as long as you got the essence of it... can be good enough with the private. That same question about selling with power in commercial, that needs to be smooth". Candidates must be able to articulate complex concepts clearly and correctly, showcasing their enhanced understanding and professional maturity.
Preparing for Success: Resources and Tools
Preparation is paramount for success in the commercial check-ride. Keller mentions numerous resources available for candidates, including the H.O.G.S. Clone that offers a multitude of training-related questions and content. Additionally, Keller’s recommended free resource, the "Private Pilot 101- A Helicopter Training Blueprint," is designed to clarify essential questions frequently posed by pilots.
For those looking to hone their skills specifically on certain types of helicopters, updated content on R-22 and R-44 models is being rolled out on the H.O.G.S. platform, providing fresh videos and images aligned with contemporary standards.
Achieving Mastery
Achieving the commercial pilot certification is not just about demonstrating superior flight skills; it's about embodying a comprehensive, elevated understanding of aviation knowledge. By acknowledging common deficiencies and tapping into available resources, aspiring commercial pilots can arm themselves with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in their check-rides. Remember, success in the skies starts with solid groundwork on the ground.
For more insightful tips, FAQs, and training materials, visit the H.O.G.S. Clone and elevate your journey from private to commercial with the precision that the field demands.
Categories
All Categories #204 #233 #234 #256 #257 #258 #259 #260 #261 #263 #264 #265 #266 #267 #268 #269 #270 #271 #272 #273 #275 #276 #277 #278 #279 #280 #281 #282 #283 #284 #285 #286 #287 #288 #289 #290 #291 #292 #293 #294 #295 #296 #55 #59 #60 #79 #90 #certifiedflightinstructor #commercialpilot #finalapproachcourse #helicoptergroundschool #helicopterhoverauto #helicopterhovering #privatepilot #learningtohover #helicopteronlinegroundschool #helicopteronlinegroundschool #helicopterpilot #helicoptertraining #hogs #hoverauto #hoverautomistakes #hoveringautorotation #kennykeller #privatepilot #r44 #rating #robinsonr44 #vip 10 10-degree approach 101 12 12 year sale 15-degree approach 16 hour online course 180 autorotation 180 autos 180 degree turn 200 pilot hours 2018 flight instructor of the year 2019 heli expo 22 reals 24-month cfi renewal 300 agl 360 autos 3rd class medical 40 hours 44 reals 5-degree approach 50% commissions 500 weight limit 91.119 91.17 a week abrupt control inputs accelerated maneuvers access accident accident reporting accidents acs acs checklist acs standards add on add on pilot reactions add-on advanced auto rotations aerodynamic lessons aerodynamics aeronautical aeronautical charts affiliate affiliate program afi aft cyclic aggressive job search air almanac air smart air traffic air traffic help aircraft aircraft accidents aircraft checks aircraft documents aircraft hook aircraft lights aircraft log books aircraft maintenance records aircraft rental aircraft review airframes airline pilot to helicopter pilot airman airman certification standards airman certification standards (acs) airman test knowledge report airman's log book airplane categories airport diagrams airport ramp airspace airspace lessons airspace regulations airspeed airspeed limitations airspeed management airspeeds airwork las vegas alternate power source altimeter setting altitude altitudes amazing helicopter pilots animated teaching anniversary annual maintenance anti-collision lights approach approach angle approach angle technique approach angle visualization approaches approaching ground at night approved school graduation certificate arizona askhogs askhogs.com assigning hogs atc clearance deviation auto rotation auto rotations autoroations autorotation autorotation overspeeds autorotations aviation aviation career aviation community aviation content aviation content library aviation course updates aviation courses aviation dream aviation education aviation emergencies aviation event aviation exam tips aviation expertise aviation flight school selection aviation incident reporting aviation industry reputation aviation insurance aviation knowledge aviation lessons aviation marketing aviation medical advice aviation medical certificates aviation medical examiner aviation medical examiners appointment aviation medical examiners near me aviation membership aviation mentor aviation paperwork aviation regulations aviation safety aviation team building aviation tools aviation training aviation training equipment aviation training schedule aviation training schedules aviation training supplies aviation weather aviation weather tools aviator training avionics switch awareness training baby badass knee board battery power becoming a private pilot behind the scenes bell 47 bell helicopter bell jet ranger bk117 helicopter block time blog blueprint bonus book book giveaway book signing book signing event book signings broke bucket list budget builder building time button buy buy a helicopter buying first helicopter buying used helicopters cabri cabri g2 cabri helicopter cabri helicopters california california choppers california highway patrol canadian helicopter pilot training carb heat category of aircraft certification certification airmen certification requirements certified certified flight instructor certified flight instructor course cfi cfi (certified flight instructor) cfi add on cfi applicant cfi balance cfi checkride cfi checkride tips cfi double i cfi initial cfi rating cfi renewal cfi sign off cfi time cfi training cfii cfii helicopter pilot chart supplements check check ride check ride passed check ride prep check ride preparation check ride study guide check ride success check ride tips checklist checkride checkride availability checkride failure reasons checkride prep checkride preparation checkride success checkride tips checkrides checks cheeseburgers chicago chris hauser chris houser apology chris nelson circuit breakers civil aircraft civilian pilot license class g airspace class g vs class d clean aircraft tips clean plate club clearing turns cliffhangar clone closed runway cloud flying clutch disengage cmc equipment co-pilot door cockpit organization coffee with kenny coffeewithkenny cold calling cold weather flying collective collective angle collective control collective correlation collective lowering college college degree commercial commercial add on commercial certification commercial cfi commercial check ride commercial checkride commercial helicopter operations commercial helicopter pilot commercial license commercial pilot commercial pilot checkride commercial pilot course commercial pilot license commercial pilot requirements commercial pilot test commercial pilots commercial rating helicopter communication completed form 8710 concierge service confidence connections conservative minimum controlled airspace copy corporate executives cost cost of flying helicopters cost to become private pilot course course tailoring crasg crazy credit cross country cross country flight cross country helicopter flight crucial current aim custom foggles cyclic cyclic collective pedals cyclic control cyclic hovering cyclic speed cyclic trim cylinder head temperature dan "taz" christman dan christman danger dangerous day day 249 day 250 day 252 day 253 day 254 day 255 day 4 day vfr day with taz deal decision definition of night demo density density altitude descent recovery desert flying desert scenery designated designated pilot examiner (dpe) destination determining approach angle devestation device devices dial digital lesson plans door hinge doors doors off flying down down collective downtown downtown chicago downtown flight downwind landing dpe dpe deficiencies dual training dvanced auto rotation course dynamic components fatigue dynamic rollover e6b computer e6b plotter earning affiliate commissions easy money ec135 helicopter efficiency emergency emergency procedures emergency report emergency squawk ems ems helicopter ems helicopter crashes ems helicopter jobs ems pilot ems pilots endorsements engine failure engine gauges engine rpm enstrom enstrom helicopter enstrom helicopter transition enstrom helicopters enstrom transition entry level job etl effective translational lift lesson evening civil twilight examiner examiner expectations excessive exclusive executive events executive team building exhaust fire hazard expense experience experimental helicopters expired cfi expired helicopter cfi external load extra airflow eye exam eye test faa faa examiner faa license faa medical certificate exam faa regulations faa safety faa wings faa wings credit faa written test faa written test practice fac fac customers failure far aim far aim manual far/aim fatal fatal accident fatal helicopter accidents fatal helicopter crash fear of failure female pilot ferry flights final final approach course final approach courses financial strain during pilot training finish checkride finish your rating first first class medical first flight first impression fixed wing fixed wing add on fixed wing aircraft differences fixed wing before rotor? fixed wing or helicopter fixed wing time flashlight in cockpit flatlander pilot flight flight accessories flight and ground training flight check flight checklist flight checkride flight comfort flight computers flight courses flight debriefing flight disorientation flight emergencies flight evaluation flight examiner flight examiner advice flight examiner tips flight experience flight experiences flight helpline flight hours flight immersion flight instruction flight instructor flight instructor advice flight instructor affiliate link flight instructor affiliate program flight instructor income flight instructor insurance flight instructor of the year flight instructor of the year recommendation flight instructor passive income flight instructor resources flight instructor rush flight instructors flight lesson flight lessons flight maneuvers flight minimums flight packages flight performance flight plan flight planning flight prep flight preparation flight pressure flight proficiency flight ratings flight realism flight requirements flight review flight safety flight schedule flight school flight school challenges flight school equipment flight school experience flight school maintenance flight school minimum hours flight school operators flight school recommendation flight school scams flight school schedule flight school selection flight school selection tips flight schools flight service flight setup flight simulation flight simulation device flight simulators flight standards office flight test flight tests flight trainging flight training flight training cost flight training costs flight training devices flight training exercises flight training package flight training questions flight training supplies flight visibility flight with doors removed florida fly fly another day flying flying a helicopter flying at high altitudes flying at night flying career flying costs flying experience flying frequency flying helicopter flying helicopters flying hours flying in indiana flying lessons flying maneuvers flying perspective flying professionally flying progress flying skill improvement flying tips flying with heavy students flying with passengers and cargo foggles foi's footwear for pilots foreflight foreflight flight planning foreflight on ipad foreign helicopter student foreign student helicopter training forward flight free free copy free helicopter ground school free pdf frequency of flying fsdo fuel fuel calculations r22 fuel light fuel management fuel valve check full full stop landing fully articulated rotor system future pilots gambling gear glider aircraft golden gate bridge gopro government issued id governor governor off governor response rate governor switch governor vs throttle grand canyon tours great instructor grind ground ground debriefing ground instruction ground knowledge ground practice for pilots ground resonance ground school ground school importance ground school on any computer or device ground school podcast ground school reluctance ground training guarding guarding the collective guimbal guimbal cabri g2 guimbal cabri g2 training gun gyroplane categories h.o.g.s. hai handbook hands-on experience handwritten lesson plans hangar hangar safety hazards headsets heart failure heart stints height velocity diagram helcopter helcopter ground schools heli expo heli expo 2019 helicopter helicopter abnormal vibrations helicopter accident helicopter accident prevention helicopter accident review helicopter accidents helicopter adaptation helicopter add on helicopter add on rating helicopter add ons helicopter aerobatics helicopter aerodynamics helicopter altitude helicopter approach helicopter approach and landing helicopter approach angles helicopter auto-rotation helicopter baggage compartments helicopter bashing helicopter blades helicopter blueprint helicopter book signing helicopter breakdowns helicopter career helicopter careers helicopter categories helicopter cfi helicopter cfi checkride helicopter cfi pilot helicopter cfii helicopter cfii pilot helicopter check ride helicopter check ride prepare helicopter check ride test tips helicopter check ride tips helicopter check rides helicopter checklist helicopter checkouts helicopter checkride helicopter checkride preparation helicopter checkride tips helicopter checkrides helicopter chip light helicopter collective helicopter commercial license helicopter commercial pilot helicopter commercial rating helicopter community helicopter confined area landings helicopter controls helicopter cost helicopter cost maintenance helicopter course helicopter course updates helicopter courses helicopter cross country helicopter cyclic control helicopter diet motivation helicopter dolly helicopter dolly monster helicopter dreams helicopter electronics helicopter email applications helicopter ems jobs helicopter ems pilot helicopter engine failure helicopter enthusiasts helicopter ergonomics helicopter event helicopter exam helicopter examiner helicopter examiner observations helicopter expenses helicopter experience helicopter factory schools helicopter faq's helicopter fatal accidents helicopter ferry flights helicopter final approach helicopter final approach course helicopter flight helicopter flight control helicopter flight controls helicopter flight exam helicopter flight instruction helicopter flight instructor helicopter flight instructor of the year helicopter flight instructor weight helicopter flight instructors helicopter flight lessons helicopter flight over water helicopter flight packages helicopter flight performance helicopter flight practice helicopter flight prep helicopter flight preparation helicopter flight ratings helicopter flight school helicopter flight schools helicopter flight syllabi helicopter flight techniques helicopter flight time helicopter flight time hours helicopter flight tips helicopter flight training helicopter flight training schools helicopter flight training videos helicopter flight training' helicopter flyaway helicopter flying helicopter flying at night helicopter flying blueprint helicopter flying careeres helicopter flying experience helicopter flying handbook helicopter flying lessons helicopter flying techniques helicopter flying tests helicopter flying tips helicopter for private use helicopter fuel helicopter fuel amount helicopter fuel gauge helicopter gadgetry helicopter go around's helicopter ground helicopter ground school helicopter ground schools helicopter ground subjects helicopter ground support helicopter ground training helicopter handbook helicopter hangar helicopter hems pilot helicopter hours helicopter hovering helicopter icing helicopter images helicopter industry helicopter industry experience helicopter inspections helicopter instructing helicopter instructor helicopter instructor qualifications helicopter instrument pilot helicopter instrument training helicopter insurance helicopter insurance costs helicopter interview tips helicopter intro flights helicopter jobs helicopter knee board helicopter knowledge helicopter landing helicopter leasing helicopter lesson helicopter lessons helicopter license helicopter licensing tests helicopter lift helicopter lifting techniques helicopter live training helicopter logging flight time helicopter maintenance helicopter maintenance history helicopter maintenance issues helicopter maneuvering helicopter maneuvers helicopter manual helicopter maximum performance take off helicopter mel and mmel helicopter membership helicopter memberships helicopter model comparison helicopter motion sickness helicopter night vision goggles helicopter online flight schools helicopter online ground school helicopter online ground school (hogs) helicopter online ground schools helicopter online school helicopter online training helicopter operating costs helicopter operation helicopter operation tips helicopter oral exam helicopter overhaul costs helicopter overspeed helicopter ownership helicopter passenger weight limit helicopter passive income helicopter pedals helicopter performance helicopter photography helicopter pickup technique helicopter pilot helicopter pilot careers helicopter pilot certification helicopter pilot courses helicopter pilot education helicopter pilot endorsements helicopter pilot flight risk assessment matrix helicopter pilot jobs helicopter pilot lessons helicopter pilot medication use helicopter pilot retirement helicopter pilot schools helicopter pilot supplies helicopter pilot tips helicopter pilot training helicopter pilot training costs helicopter pilot weather decisions helicopter pilot's license helicopter pilots helicopter podcasts helicopter popularity helicopter pre flight helicopter pre-flight helicopter preflight helicopter preheating helicopter private license helicopter private pilot helicopter private pilot cost helicopter questions helicopter radio call helicopter radio communications helicopter rating helicopter rating completion helicopter ratings helicopter rebuild costs helicopter regulation weight helicopter relief efforts helicopter rental helicopter rest arm helicopter rides helicopter right pedal helicopter rotor blade safety helicopter rpm helicopter running landing helicopter safety helicopter safety briefing helicopter safety course helicopter safety courses helicopter safety guidelines helicopter safety improvements helicopter safety notices helicopter safety procedures helicopter safety team helicopter safety tips helicopter schools helicopter seats helicopter set down helicopter set downs helicopter sfar checkouts helicopter simulaters helicopter solo helicopter solo flight helicopter solo hours helicopter solo requirements helicopter square pattern helicopter stability helicopter stuck pedal helicopter student helicopter student pilotStay connected with news and updates!
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras sed sapien quam. Sed dapibus est id enim facilisis, at posuere turpis adipiscing. Quisque sit amet dui dui.