Common Logbook Mistakes Before a Private Pilot Checkride

The examiner has to confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements before the test, including aeronautical experience and endorsements (14 CFR 61.39(a); FAA Order 8710.3E, ch. 5). These are the gaps to look for, with the rule behind each.

Hour requirements

  1. Night landings short of 10. Both airplane and helicopter require 10 night takeoffs and 10 full-stop landings in the traffic pattern (61.109(a)(2)(ii), (c)(2)(ii)).
  2. Night cross-country too short. Airplane needs over 100 NM total distance, helicopter over 50 NM (61.109(a)(2)(i), (c)(2)(i)).
  3. Long solo XC doesn't qualify. Airplane: 150 NM, full-stop landings at three points, one leg over 50 NM straight-line (61.109(a)(5)(ii)). Helicopter: 100 NM, three points, one leg over 25 NM (61.109(c)(4)(ii)). The usual misses are a touch-and-go at one point (airplane requires full stops) or no leg long enough.
  4. Airplane "XC" flights under 50 NM. For private airplane experience, cross-country needs a landing point more than 50 NM straight-line from departure (61.1).
  5. Checkride-prep dual outside the window. You need 3 hours within the 2 calendar months preceding the test month (61.109(a)(4), (c)(3)). If the checkride slips, this can lapse.
  6. Towered-airport solo landings missing. 3 solo full-stop takeoffs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower (61.109(a)(5)(iii), (c)(4)(iii)).
  7. Too much simulator credit. At most 2.5 hours, or 5 in a Part 142 course (61.109(k)).

Endorsements (AC 61-65K)

  1. No practical-test endorsement (A.1), or no knowledge-test deficiency review (A.2). These are required by 61.39(a)(6) and must reflect training within the 2 preceding calendar months.
  2. Missing A.37 (flight proficiency/practical test, 61.103(f), 61.107(b), 61.109) or A.36 (knowledge test) (AC 61-65K, App. A).
  3. Solo endorsement lapsed. The solo endorsement covers a 90-calendar-day period and must be renewed for each additional period (AC 61-65K A.6/A.7; 61.87(n), (p)). Solo flights after it expired are a red flag.
  4. Solo XC endorsements. A.9 (61.93(c)(1) and (2)) and A.10, the per-flight XC endorsement (61.93(c)(3)).
  5. R22/R44 students: SFAR 73 endorsements. These are A.60 ground training and A.61/A.65 solo, the latter valid 90 days (SFAR 73).

Recordkeeping

  1. Incomplete entries. Each flight needs the date, total time, departure/arrival locations, aircraft type and ID, the type of experience (solo, dual, PIC), and conditions (day/night, instrument) (61.51(b)).
  2. Unsigned dual. Training time must be endorsed by the instructor, with a description of the training, the lesson length, and the instructor's signature, certificate number, and certificate expiration date or recent experience end date (61.51(h)(2)).
  3. Arithmetic and carry-forward errors that make the 8710/IACRA totals disagree with the logbook. See our 8710 totaling guide.

Example pre-checkride sweep (illustrative)

Two weeks out: count night landings and confirm the longest night XC, verify the long solo XC legs, date-check the last 3 hours of prep dual, list every endorsement against AC 61-65K, and re-add every page. Fix gaps with your instructor while there's still time to fly.

Want a second set of eyes on your logbook? Cleared 2 Checkride reads photos of your paper logbook, totals every page, and checks each 61.109(a) item and the AC 61-65K endorsement checklist. You get a green/yellow/red report with the regulation cited, your hour totals, and a CSV export. Look at the sample report on cleared2checkride.com first. A check costs $24.99, and a re-check after fixes is included. It's a prep aid: your instructor and examiner make the final call.

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