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We at SkyTrain Aviation genuinely appreciate the opportunity to be a part of your aviation journey. Even though we are evaluating you on your checkride day, our primary focus is to ensure that you are a safe and competent pilot with whom we would enjoy sharing airspace.
It is our hope that this information helps prepare you for your checkride, sets expectations, and provides guidance to make your checkride day a little less stressful.
We currently offer Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-engine checkrides. We do not offer CFI, CFII, or MEI checkrides at this time.
Most checkrides are conducted out of Springfield, TN, at M91. For certain situations, we will conduct checkrides out of other airports in the Middle Tennessee area.
Checkrides lasting longer than 4.5 hours will be charged by the hour.
Please note: As of May 7, 2025, applicants must bring either a valid U.S. passport or REAL ID driver's license. Non-REAL ID driver's licenses will not be accepted.
Except in rare cases, we book checkrides about 1–2 weeks out.
Applicants should be fully qualified: They have completed their training and are ready to take their checkride. IACRA doesn't need to be submitted, but the applicant should be about ready to do so.
Text Charles Lilly at (615) 495-7350 with your request and the following information in a single message:
Click here to find the Checkride Scenario that applies to you.
Read the SkyTrain Checkride NOTAM before your checkride. By reading it and continuing with the checkride, you are agreeing to the NOTAM's terms and conditions.
IACRA must be complete at least two days before your checkride.
Please text Charles Lilly the night before your checkride. His schedule is very busy. Remember that DPEs are pilots too. We steal pens, tell everyone within earshot that we’re pilots, and make mistakes.
There is always the possibility of rescheduling due to additional SkyTrain duties, your being sick, weather, etc. If this were to happen, we will work together to reschedule accordingly.
In cases of cancellation, if the applicant cancels more than 72 hours before their checkride, there is no cancellation fee. Within less than 72 hours, cancellations are only acceptable in cases of valid illnesses and weather. Nerves are not a valid reason.
For complete information about SkyTrain checkrides, see our Checkride NOTAM.
Your best friend, Charles, found a great deal on an airplane in St. Louis, Missouri, and you and he are going to fly there to take a look at it. You will be renting an aircraft from a local flight school. Charles weighs 230 lbs. and will bring a 50-lb. bag. Please plan a flight, complete with a Nav Log of sorts (FAA accepts EFB flight plans), with the aircraft we will be using for your checkride, the airport you believe best suits our trip, and the weather on the day of your checkride.
You and your best friend, Charles, are flying to an Atlanta Braves game at Truist Park. Charles weighs 230 lbs., and he will bring a 50-lb. bag with him. Please plan a flight, complete with a Nav Log of sorts (FAA accepts EFB flight plans), with the aircraft we will be using for your checkride, the airport you believe best suits our trip, and the weather on the day of your checkride.
You and your best friend, Charles, are headed to Oshkosh for AirVenture, the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, where you’ll camp under the wing of your airplane for the week. You determine that your baggage will be 100 lbs., including tent, camping gear, and clothes. Charles weighs 230 lbs. Please plan a flight, complete with a Nav Log of sorts (FAA accepts EFB flight plans), with the aircraft you will be using for your checkride and the weather on the day of your checkride.
You and your best friend, Charles, are headed to Oshkosh, and you'll be working together to plan the flight. Charles weighs 230 lbs., but he doesn't know how many bags or friends he’ll be bringing yet. Be prepared to discuss, including performance and any necessary fuel stops.
For complete information about SkyTrain checkrides, see our Checkride NOTAM.
You wouldn’t normally take a test without knowing the standards. Don’t start today. Be familiar with your ACS, and feel free to make notes inside of it. Take the time to understand the requirements. Instructors make mistakes, and you don’t want to be sitting at a checkride table realizing that you are 0.1 NM short on your long-XC requirement.
That being said, don’t try new or different things on the day of your checkride. Trust the work that you and your instructor have done to prepare you for this day.
Business casual is appropriate for checkrides. There is no need for a suit, but the event is worthy of a collared shirt and clean clothes. Of course, we want you to be comfortable, so if it’s hot, shorts are acceptable. But no pajamas, please! There is such a thing as too comfortable.
See the Checkride NOTAM for the list of required personal documents. And be sure to follow our guide to creating a Personal Documents One-Sheet.
Don't just trust your flight school; verify for yourself!
There is a lot to organize before your checkride! A Checkride Binder is a great technique for keeping it straight. Check out our guide to making a Checkride Binder.
Be sure to check out our Checkride NOTAM for a comprehensive look at SkyTrain evaluations and best practices. If you're unable to find an answer to your question, please reach out to us at skytrain615@gmail.com.
Maybe! Please inquire about checkrides using the guidelines above, or in the Checkride NOTAM.
Text Charles Lilly at (615) 495-7350.
Send the following information in a single text message:
Except in rare cases, we book checkrides about 1–2 weeks out. Applicants should have completed their training and be ready to take their checkride. IACRA doesn't need to be submitted, but the applicant should be about ready to do so.
We currently offer Private, Instrument, Commercial and Multi-engine checkrides. We do not offer CFI, CFII, or MEI checkrides at this time.
It depends! Most of our checkrides are conducted out of Springfield, TN, at M91. For certain situations, we will conduct checkrides out of other airports in the Middle Tennessee area.
That will vary on a case-by-case basis.
If the applicant cancels more than 72 hours before their checkride, there is no cancellation fee. Within less than 72 hours, cancellations are only acceptable in cases of valid illnesses and weather. Nerves are not an acceptable excuse!