Checkride Insights Ep. 4 — Jeremy Lashbrook on Airworthiness, Checkride Errors, and CFI Rolls

July 31, 2025·1 hr 2 min·5 clips

Jeremy Lashbrook explains why pilots often fail checkrides by misunderstanding airworthiness inspections beyond acronyms.

Seth Lake hosts this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, featuring Designated Pilot Examiner and retired Army aviator Jeremy Lashbrook. Lashbrook, an active EMS pilot and check airman with extensive fixed-wing and rotorcraft experience, shares insights from his perspective as a DPE. He discusses common administrative and knowledge gaps he observes in applicants across various checkride types, including private, commercial, and ATP or type ratings. Lashbrook emphasizes the importance of applicants verifying aircraft airworthiness documents well before the checkride date to avoid last-minute cancellations. He notes a frequent misunderstanding where applicants incorrectly believe a VOR or altimeter inspection is required for a VFR flight when referencing the "AVIATE" acronym. For type rating applicants, he often sees a lack of proficiency with specific aircraft avionics, like older GPS units or advanced FMS systems. Lashbrook advises applicants to provide detailed information when initially contacting a DPE to facilitate scheduling. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the proper process for handling inoperative equipment under FAR 91.213, which he finds is widely misunderstood. He points out that some aircraft, like the Tecnam, have a Kinds of Operations Equipment List (KOEL) requiring items like a first aid kit, separate from the standard day-VFR requirements. During flight maneuvers, Lashbrook commonly sees issues with pilots not performing full stalls as required and mismanaging the "Eights on Pylons" maneuver by refusing to adjust power in windy conditions. He also mentions navigation errors near his base in North Little Rock, such as pilots inadvertently entering restricted airspace or the local Class C airspace. One surprising claim is Lashbrook's wish for the FAA to rename the "altimeter inspection" to a "pitot-static inspection" to prevent confusion about its necessity for VFR flight. A memorable insight is his observation that once DPEs consistently evaluate a specific topic, like a KOEL requirement, flight instructors rapidly begin teaching it. He debunks the misconception that power changes are prohibited during "Eights on Pylons," clarifying that no authoritative source supports this rule. Lashbrook also explains that the ACS requires acknowledging stall cues before reaching a full stall, a step many applicants miss. The tone is conversational and educational, with two experienced pilots exchanging practical advice and real-world examples from the checkride environment. The style is direct and focused on improving applicant preparation and instructor training methodologies. This episode is ideal for student pilots, flight instructors, and aspiring commercial or ATP pilots seeking to understand common examiner pitfalls and expectations. Listeners solely interested in advanced jet operations or narrative aviation stories might find the detailed discussion of fundamental checkride procedures less engaging.

As heard by us

A checkride focused aviation lesson that turns airworthiness details into something useful.

This episode keeps its focus on checkride judgment and the places applicants slip, with Jeremy Lashbrook tying inoperative equipment, KOELs, and aircraft specific procedure to the real airplane in front of you.

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Why you'd press play

You want the rules around inoperative equipment to stop feeling fuzzy before a checkride.

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