Being underprepared on practical exam day can mean you don't even get to attempt the test. No matter how ready you are skill-wise, missing a basic item can cost you your shot entirely — so a pre-exam check is essential.
Must-check items before the exam
- Battery fully charged, with a spare battery on hand
- Visual check of propellers for damage or wear
- Aircraft registration and photo ID
- GPS signal check beforehand
- Weather conditions (wind, precipitation) and awareness of rain-day rescheduling policy
Build a routine the night before
Batteries lose performance in cold weather or after long storage, so it's worth rechecking the charge the night before. Small cracks or wear on propellers can be hard to spot — check from several angles under good lighting.
Make a checklist the night before and go through it item by item, then leave extra travel time on the day itself for unexpected delays like traffic or weather. Walking in prepared and unhurried makes a real difference to how you perform.
