CheckPrep
Checkride Oral Exam Prep
Free · In‑App Purchases · Designed for iPad. Not verified for macOS.
Prepare for your FAA checkride oral exam with ACS-aligned study guides, flashcards, and quizzes. Private Pilot guide and full FAR/AIM library permanently free.
Purpose-built for pilots who refuse to leave their checkride to chance. CheckPrep is the only checkride oral prep app structured around the FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS), the exact framework your DPE will use to evaluate you. This isn’t written prep. This is checkride oral prep and nobody else does it like this.
EVERY REFERENCE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Full searchable FAR, AIM, and FAA Documents, free for every user. Tap any citation in a study question to jump straight to the source. Bookmark passages, search by keyword, study offline. Every paragraph links back to the official FAA source so you never have to wonder if it’s current.
STUDY THE WAY YOUR DPE TESTS YOU
Every question, answer, and reference is organized by ACS Area of Operation and Task, the same structure your examiner follows. No wasted time on irrelevant material. Every minute of study maps directly to your oral exam.
KNOW WHEN YOU’RE READY
Track your mastery from 0–100% for every ACS task. Adaptive flashcards and quizzes target your weak areas automatically. When you see 100% across the board, you’ll know: you’re checkride ready.
DECODE REAL-WORLD WEATHER
Practice METAR, TAF, and PIREP interpretation with live FAA data. Build the pattern recognition that impresses examiners and keeps you safe in the flight levels.
TRAIN YOUR EAR
Departure and approach clearance trainers read ATC instructions aloud. Practice your readback skills with real-world scenarios using the CRAFT and P-TAC methods.
BUILT FOR EVERY CERTIFICATE
Private Pilot ACS: free, always. Instrument, Commercial, and Commercial Multi Add-On ACS guides available now. Add aircraft-specific content for your exact training aircraft: Cessna 172SP, Cirrus SR20 G7+, or Diamond DA42 NG.
Six themes. Offline-first. iCloud sync across all your devices. Lightweight. No ads. No account required. No data collected.
Walk into your checkride oral knowing you’ve covered every single ACS item. That’s what CheckPrep is for.
CheckPrep is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the FAA. All regulatory content is sourced from official FAA publications.
more Continued Study Experience Refinements
• Sharpened multi-area task selection in Flashcard and Quiz study modes
• Polish improvements throughout the app
26.4.9 Apr 28
Content Accuracy & Polish
• Sharpened content accuracy across Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine ACS guides
• Unified question and answer presentation for a more consistent study experience across all guides
Streamlined Question Library
• Consolidated redundant entries so each question appears once in its intended location
• Continued refinements to content organization throughout the Q&A database
26.4.8 Apr 23
Expanded Q&A Content
• 59 new questions added across electronic flight bags, stalls, pitot-static systems, standard rate turns, high-altitude operations, and avionics
• Broader coverage across all major ACS tasks
• Content quality and organization improvements throughout the Q&A database
Unified Mastery Tracking
• Answer a question once and it counts everywhere the same question appears
• Credit propagates across ACS guides and within the same guide
• Master a weather theory item in Private ACS and it is credited in Instrument and Commercial as well
• Mastery reflects your understanding of the content, not the specific task code where you encountered it
A Note on Session History
• Your ACS study history, mastery progress, and all purchases are unaffected
Your Purchases
• Nothing about your purchases changes
• Individual aircraft content for Cessna 172SP, Cirrus SR20 G7+, and Diamond DA42 NG continues to unlock aircraft-specific questions within Private, Commercial, and Multi ACS guides exactly as before
26.4.7 Apr 22
• Aircraft selection has moved to Settings. Choose your aircraft once per ACS guide and it applies across ACS Review, Study Modes, and Mastery.
• New Cessna 172SP content: engine cooling, horsepower, RPM limits, oil system Q&As (capacity, temperature, pressure, filter).
• New Diamond DA42 NG content: oil capacity per engine, short field takeoff airspeeds.
• Fixed an issue where reviewing a completed session showed "Question unavailable" for all questions.
• Sessions now remember which aircraft was selected when the session was taken.
• Fixed a display issue where certain temperature answers showed raw code instead of the degree symbol.
• Resolved a data conflict in the Commercial ACS that could prevent session reviews from loading.
• Content accuracy updates across multiple Q&As.
26.4.6 Apr 18
• Fixed iCloud sync for study progress across devices
• Updated Q&A content for accuracy
• Bug fixes and stability improvements
26.4.5 Apr 13
ADDED
• 53 AFM references for Diamond DA42 NG Q&As covering performance limits, flight controls, powerplant, propeller system, cooling, fuel & oil, electrical, and environmental sections
FIXED
• 1 Q&A assigned to incorrect ACS task code (moved from Performance & Limitations to Short-Field Takeoffs)
26.4.4 Apr 10
AIRCRAFT-SPECIFIC STUDY CONTENT
• New purchasable aircraft content packs: Cessna 172SP, Cirrus SR20 G7+, and Diamond DA42 NG
• Aircraft-specific Q&As integrated into ACS Review, Flashcards, Quizzes, and Mastery Tracking
• Select your training aircraft per ACS guide; content filters automatically across all study modes
• Mastery tab now shows which aircraft content is included in your proficiency calculations
DOWNLOADS REDESIGNED
• New two-tier layout: summary card at the top shows overall download status at a glance
• Collapsible detail rows for each reference type (FAR, AIM, Books, ACs, LOIs, InFOs)
• One-tap "Update All" to refresh your entire reference library
STORE UPDATES
• Aircraft-specific content section added to the Store
• Diamond DA42 NG content requires the Commercial Multi Add-On package
UNDER THE HOOD
• Bug fixes and performance improvements
26.4.3 Apr 9
Select your checkride aircraft and study questions tailored to your airplane. Aircraft-specific Q&As now available for the Cessna 172SP, Cirrus SR20 G7+, and Diamond DA42 NG.
CheckPrep v26.4.2 Release Notes:
-New: Commercial Multi-Engine Add-On ACS Review Guide with 236 Q&As covering multi-engine aerodynamics, Vmc factors, critical engine, and Diamond DA42 NG systems.
-New: 178 Cessna 172SP and Cirrus SR20 G7+ aircraft-specific Q&As for Private and Commercial guides covering V-speeds, systems, electrical, fuel, and performance.
-Improved: ACS Review search now matches individual keywords for better results.
-Improved: Store page redesigned with streamlined purchasing and offer code redemption.
26.4.2 Apr 7
CheckPrep v26.4.1 Release Notes:
Search Improvements
- FAR and AIM searches now show results in real-time as you type; no more pressing Submit and waiting
- FAR search combines instant local results with eCFR API results for the most comprehensive coverage
- Search keywords are now bolded in excerpt previews across all reference types
- Fixed search excerpts in ACs, LOIs, and InFOs appearing outside the result card
- Consistent search result styling across all 7 search surfaces (FAR, AIM, ACs, LOIs, InFOs, Books, and unified Reference search)
Pre-Tabbed FARs
-Private Pilot: expanded from 51 to 61 key FARs (added 43 App. A, 61.45, 61.51, 61.93, 91.7, 91.9, 91.109, TFR regs, and more)
-Instrument Rating: expanded from 21 to 32 key FARs (added 91.176, 91.180, 91.191, equipment regs, and more)
-New Commercial Pilot tab with 42 key FARs covering Parts 1, 61, 67, 91, 119, and NTSB 830
-Pre-tabbed entries now labeled "FAR" / "NTSB" instead of section symbols
Reference Links
-FAR 43 Appendix references (A, D, etc.) in Q&A content are now tappable links
26.4.1 Apr 2
Commercial Pilot content is now available in CheckPrep! Study with Flashcards, Quizzes, and the new CheckPrep Commercial ACS Review Guide. Free during Early Access.
CheckPrep v26.3.6 Release Notes
- Added 400+ new flashcards and quiz questions to the Commercial Pilot ACS Review Guide
- Updated formatting for improved readability on detailed answers like decompression sickness, medications, hazardous attitudes, and the 3P Model
- Added Bell 2009 Letter of Interpretation (Known Icing Conditions) to the reference library
- NTSB Part 830 references now link directly to the regulation in the reference library
- Renamed Instrument clearance trainers to "Departure and Approach Clearances (Beta)" on the Store page
- Stress-related Q&As moved to their correct location under the Stress topic for both Private and Commercial guides
26.4.0 Apr 1
CheckPrep v26.3.6 Release Notes
- Improved table rendering in FAR and AIM references; columns now fill the available width with vertical dividers and centered content for easier reading
- Fixed FAR tables with multi-row headers displaying misaligned or missing columns
- Fixed the "More" menu panel appearing on the right edge of the screen in landscape orientation
- Full-text search across all reference types from the References landing page
- Tapping a search result now navigates directly to the specific section, chapter, or document
- Search prompts users to download references if content is not yet available
- Added new Q&As for pitot-static system, magnetic compass, and MEA chart symbols
- Various stability improvements and crash prevention fixes
26.3.6 Mar 25
CheckPrep v26.3.5 Release Notes
Study Results
-All references in study session review cards are now tappable, including Book references (IPH, AWH, PHAK, IFH, AFH), LOIs, and InFOs that previously appeared as plain text
-Fixed study session review cards so only the header row expands/collapses
-Added additional Instrument ACS Q&As
26.3.5 Mar 24
CheckPrep v26.3.4 Release Notes
Session Results
-Study sessions now show a completion summary with your score, correct answers, and question-by-question review
-Review your answers, references, and ACS codes after every session
-Retry missed questions directly from the results screen
ACS Review
-Expanded tap targets on task cards for easier navigation
-Reference links with multiple sources now render inline and are independently tappable
Store
-Simplified Store page with clearer package descriptions
-Full FAR/AIM & Reference Library now highlighted as included for all users
References
-All reference content (FAR, AIM, Advisory Circulars, Handbooks, LOIs, InFOs) confirmed free for every user with no purchase required
Under the Hood
-Anonymous usage analytics to help us improve the study experience (no personal data collected)
-Improved error handling across weather trainers, reference downloads, and study sessions
-Remote configuration support for future content updates
-Fixed FAR reference links that navigated to incorrect eCFR pages
-Departure and Approach trainers renamed to reflect Beta status
26.3.4 Mar 19
CheckPrep v26.3.3 Release Notes
References Redesign
- FAR and AIM are now combined into a single References tab with a clean landing page; tap into either publication from one place.
- Full native NavigationStack navigation; swipe-back with parallax and dimming works identically to the rest of the app.
Navigation & Transitions
- References section now uses native iOS navigation transitions throughout, including system edge-swipe gestures.
- Tap-to-reset on the References and ACS Review tabs; tapping the active tab returns you to the root view.
- Default tab order is now Review, Study Modes, Trainers, References.
Reliability & Sync
- iCloud sync now triggers in the foreground via the scenePhase handler for faster cross-device updates.
- Fixed AIM reference deep-links (e.g., "AIM 1-1-17(b)(1)(c)(2)") navigating to the incorrect sub-paragraph.
- Eliminated several force-unwrap crash risks in AIM HTML parsing and the approach database.
Cleanup
- Typo fixes.
- Removed Export Progress feature entirely.
- Normalized question data consistency across all ACS study content.
26.3.3 Mar 16
CheckPrep v26.3.2 Release Notes
iCloud Sync
- Study sessions, bookmarks, and preferences now sync across your iPhone and iPad via iCloud
- Settings and theme changes push to your other devices automatically
FAR/AIM Improvements
- FAR and AIM now download automatically in the background on first launch
- AIM update notifications now appear on launch, matching FAR behavior
- Fixed garbled text appearing at the bottom of some AIM pages
Stability & Reliability
- Fixed a crash risk in FAR regulation parsing
- Study session saves now report errors instead of failing silently
Privacy & Legal
- Updated privacy policy to reflect iCloud sync and all network activity
26.3.2 Mar 14
CheckPrep v26.3.1 Release Notes
New Instrument ACS Q&As:
-Added 19 new knowledge questions across the Instrument Rating ACS.
AIM Section Titles Updated:
-Fixed section titles across 5 chapters to match the current FAA AIM.
Dynamic AIM Structure:
-AIM chapter and section titles now automatically update from the FAA when data is downloaded or refreshed. Hardcoded defaults serve as fallback when offline.
26.3.1 Mar 14
CheckPrep v26.3.0 Release Notes
New Theme System
- 6 selectable themes: Auto, Exec (light), Pop (pink/rounded), Dark, Intel (green-on-black monospaced), and Retro (arcade neon monospaced)
- Auto mode switches between Exec (light) and dark based on system appearance
- Themes control colors, font design (default, rounded, or monospaced), and all UI elements app-wide
AIM Figures & Images
- Figure titles now display as centered headers inside image frames, with the figure number as a footer
- Figure images show their proper FIG number instead of raw filenames
- Fixed a parsing issue where carriage return characters in FAA HTML prevented figure titles from being captured
AIM Tables
- Tables associated with figures now display the figure title and figure number inside the table frame, matching the image layout
- Fixed column overlap issue in table rendering
- Tables support horizontal scrolling for wide content
AIM Content Layout
- Images and tables now align with their parent paragraph's text level, properly reflecting the document's outline hierarchy
- Fixed indentation where images and tables snapped to the root margin after empty lines
AIM Offline Support
- AIM content auto-downloads on first launch
- Figure images are downloaded and stored locally for offline access
- Improved image download reliability with proper HTTP headers and error handling
- Graceful fallback when locally cached images are unavailable
FAR Tables
- Fixed merged/concatenated words in FAR table cells
ACS
- Updated ACS question content
26.3.0 Mar 12
AIM Section (New)
- Full Aeronautical Information Manual browser with all 11 chapters, section picker, and paragraph-level content with proper markers (a., b., c., 1., 2., 3.)
- Full-text search across the entire AIM, matching the FAR search experience
- AIM bookmarking with hierarchical references (e.g., AIM 5-4-3(b)(1)(a))
- AIM chapter downloads with progress indicators, checkmarks, and retry on failure
- AIM references in ACS Review Q&As are now hyperlinked and open directly to the relevant section
- Last AIM Amendment date and Last AIM Verification date displayed on the downloads page
- Store updated to reflect combined "Electronic FAR/AIM" access
FAR Section
- Added Part 21 (Certification of Products & Parts) and Part 39 (Airworthiness Directives) to the FAR browser and downloads
- Fixed subsection (i) being incorrectly indented as a Roman numeral when it follows (h) with sub-paragraphs; affects display across all FAR sections
- FAR regulation downloads now run up to 6 at a time instead of one-by-one, significantly reducing total download time
- Retry option added for any failed FAR or AIM downloads
ACS Review Content
- Added FAR references to 13 Q&As across Pilot Qualifications, Airworthiness Requirements, and Airworthiness Directives topics
- Removed 1 inaccurate Q&A (weight change for W&B)
- FAR citations now consistently use "FAR" prefix and are hyperlinked to the corresponding regulation section
- Added 7 new checkride oral Q&As covering preflight procedures: pilot health assessment (IMSAFE), aircraft airworthiness responsibility, preflight action requirements, passenger safety briefings, checklist usage, and navigation data currency
- Corrected FAR 61.1(b) citation to FAR 61.31(e) for complex aircraft endorsement
- Removed Favorite star from ACS guides list
- ACS code no longer shows ".Q1" or ".Q2" suffix on session detail cards
Study History
- Tapping a question in quiz or flashcard session history now expands to show the ACS code, question, reference, and full answer
- FAR and AIM references in expanded cards are hyperlinked
Themes
- AIM and FAR card colors now update correctly when switching themes
- Pop theme now uses rounded fonts (SF Rounded) throughout the app
- Retro theme now uses monospaced fonts (SF Mono) throughout the app
- Intel theme applies green tint to the status bar
- Exec theme uses a refined, uniform color palette on the FAR section
- Weather display (QuickWX) now respects your chosen theme's font style
- Renamed "Girlie Pop" theme to "Pop"
Accessibility
- VoiceOver: Improved progress bar announcements in study sessions; flashcards now support "Flip card" action; game timer reads as spoken time ("2 minutes 30 seconds")
- Voice Control: All major buttons across study modes, games, and tab bar now respond to spoken labels
- Larger Text: Fonts now scale with Dynamic Type (11pt minimum floor); tab bar, flashcards, and clearance game adapt layout at large text sizes
- Differentiate Without Color: ACS category badges show icons alongside color when the system setting is enabled
- Sufficient Contrast: Replaced low-contrast muted text throughout with accessible color across all themes
- Captions: Clearance game shows a live transcript when Closed Captioning is enabled in system settings
UI & Polish
- Full row is now tappable for expanding/collapsing Knowledge, Risk Management, and Skills sections
- Slimmed down the tab bar to match standard iOS app height
- "More" menu overlay now fades in smoothly instead of sliding in with the panel
- Removed "FULL TEXT" label from FAR and AIM content pages for a cleaner look
- Improved search bar layout on content pages
- Session detail cards now expand with a smooth animation
- AIM chapter buttons sized to match FAR section for visual consistency
Stability
- Resolved potential edge-case crashes in the Clearance Game and app startup
- Updated deprecated iOS APIs across the app
- Zero build warnings
2.2 Mar 12
- Added ACS Order / Random Order selector for Flash Cards and Quiz sessions
- PIREP trainer now randomizes card order like METAR and TAF trainers
- Mastery tab: Areas and Tasks without Q&As now show 100% instead of 0%
- Changed "No questions" label to "No Q&As" on the Mastery tab
- Improved typing responsiveness throughout the app
- Added debounced search for faster ACS guide searching
- ACS sub-items now visible even without associated Q&As
2.1 Mar 10
* Added digital FAR access with linked citations in ACS review guides
* Added curated FAR tabbed regulation lists for Private Pilot and Instrument
* Added new PIREP, CRAFT and P-TAC clearance trainers
* Added aircraft types: Archer, Bonanza, Cherokee, Skyhawk
* Added Mastery tab for ACS knowledge tracking
* Rate This App and Share App now available in Settings
* Store cleanup: streamlined for current content
* Fixed all compiler warnings
* General UI and text improvements
2.0 Mar 9
Continued Study Experience Refinements
• Sharpened multi-area task selection in Flashcard and Quiz study modes
• Polish improvements throughout the app
more Version 26.4.9 Apr 28
Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app.