Frequently Asked Questions:

Services Offered

We provide professional aviation services, including FAA Practical Tests (checkrides), Administrative Certificate Processing, and Pilot Proficiency Instruction. All ground and flight practical evaluations are conducted strictly in accordance with current FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) or Practical Test Standards (PTS).

We currently offer the following services:

Practical Tests (Checkrides)

Private Pilot (ASEL): Ground and flight practical exam for the issuance of a Private Pilot – Single-Engine Land certificate.
Instrument Rating: Ground and flight practical exam for the addition of an Instrument Rating to an existing Private or Commercial certificate.
Commercial Pilot (ASEL): Ground and flight practical exam for the issuance of a Commercial Pilot – Single-Engine Land certificate.
Multi-Engine Add-On (AMEL): Ground and flight practical exam for the addition of a Multi-Engine Land rating to an existing Private or Commercial certificate.
Retests: Practical exam retest following a Notice of Disapproval. (Please contact us before scheduling if your Notice of Disapproval was issued by a non-Pitch Vy Examiner).

Administrative Certification Services Note: With the exception of the Foreign License Conversion, all administrative document verification appointments are conducted remotely via Google Meet.

Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107): Administrative processing for the issuance of an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate.
SOE Limitation Removal (14 CFR 61.64): Administrative processing for the removal of a Supervised Operating Experience (SOE) limitation from a U.S. pilot certificate.
Military Competency (14 CFR 61.73): Administrative processing for the issuance of a commercial pilot certificate or instrument rating based on military competence.
Flight Instructor Renewal (14 CFR 61.197): Administrative processing for the renewal of an unexpired Flight Instructor Certificate.
Ground Instructor Certificate (14 CFR 61.213): Administrative processing for the issuance of a Basic, Advanced, or Instrument Ground Instructor Certificate.
Foreign License Conversion (14 CFR 61.75): Administrative processing for the issuance of a U.S. pilot certificate based on a valid foreign pilot license. (In-person appointment required).

Pilot Proficiency Instruction

Ground & Flight Instruction: In-person pilot proficiency instruction tailored to your needs.

Testing Locations

Our primary testing operations are based out of North Carolina, with an additional seasonal location planned for the winter months. We are also available to travel to your preferred airport by special arrangement.

Asheville, NC (KAVL): Our primary operating base.
Arizona: Seasonal winter operations (Coming soon).
Travel Operations: We are available to travel to your home airport upon request.

Travel To Other Locations

Upon request, we may travel to conduct practical tests. You can find more information about this here: DPE Travel Services.

Scheduling

We offer convenient online booking, and our calendar availability is updated frequently. Most appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis through our website.

Booking Your Appointment

Securing a Slot: To hold an appointment, applicants must provide a valid credit card at the time of booking ($0 upfront). This securely reserves your time and is strictly used to enforce our cancellation policy.
Short-Notice Bookings: Appointments booked within 72 hours of their start time are handled as expedited requests on a case-by-case basis. Upon booking, our team will provide specific requirements that must be met to hold these short-notice slots.

Standard Testing Time Blocks

Initial Tests: Five hours are blocked for each initial test applicant to ensure there is no need to rush the testing process.
Retests & Discontinuances: Three to five hours are blocked for retests and discontinued tests.

Rescheduling & Delays

Where weather or other unforeseen events cause delays and appointment backlogs, we will do our best to reschedule affected applicants in a timely manner.

Testing Fees and Charges

FAA Activity Fees are strictly collected only after verifying an applicant's eligibility and qualifications on the day of the appointment. These fees are never contingent upon the outcome of an evaluation, a "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" result, or the issuance of a certificate.

Understanding Our Fees

Testing Fees: Base testing fees for practical exams are entirely static. While there may be a travel or convenience fee to cover logistical costs when testing at alternate locations, your actual checkride baseline fee remains exactly the same regardless of where the test is conducted.
Administrative Fees: Flat fees apply for remote and in-person document verification and certificate processing.
Travel & Add-Ons: Optional services, such as our team coordinating travel to your preferred location or reserving a full-day block, are billed separately.
Discontinuance & Cancellations: Administrative fees apply for the technological and team resources required to restart a discontinued test, as well as for late cancellations or no-shows.

Payment Methods & Policies

Zero Upfront: A valid credit card is required to securely hold your appointment slot online, but $0 is charged upfront for FAA testing/Activities.
Accepted Methods: We accept cash and major credit cards. For in-person appointments, the physical card must be present to tap, swipe, or dip. For remote appointments or travel/cancellation fees, the securely vaulted card on file is used.
Credit Card Processing: All credit and debit card transactions are subject to a 4.0% processing fee. In the event of an approved refund, this processing fee is strictly non-refundable.

For a complete and detailed breakdown of all costs, please visit our dedicated Pricing Page.

Cancellations & No-Shows

To respect everyone's time and ensure efficient scheduling for all applicants, we enforce a strict cancellation policy.

Standard vs. Late Cancellations

Standard Cancellations: Cancellations made more than 72 hours prior to your scheduled appointment will incur no charge.
Late Cancellations & No-Shows: Avoidable cancellations made within 72 hours of the appointment, failure to appear (no-show), or failure to complete required onboarding documents at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled appointment will result in a cancellation fee.
Missing Documentation & Qualifications: Arriving on the day of your test missing mandatory documentation (e.g., photo ID, medical, required endorsements) or presenting an aircraft that is not airworthy prevents the evaluation from legally taking place. This is considered an avoidable cancellation and will result in the applicable cancellation fee.
Cancellation Fee Amounts: These fees are processed directly to your securely vaulted credit card at a flat rate of $250.00 (Checkride), $100.00 (Instruction), or $25.00 (Administrative Issuance).

Weather, Maintenance & Exceptions

Weather & Aircraft Maintenance: Cancellations due to verified un-flyable weather or unexpected mechanical grounding of the aircraft will not incur a fee.
Short-Notice Bookings: Appointments booked within 72 hours of their start time are naturally exempt from the standard 72-hour deadlines. Because these are expedited requests, our team will provide specific, individualized requirements that must be met to hold the appointment.
Fee Waivers: Cancellation fees are firm and may only be waived with explicit written approval from Pitch Vy LLC.

For complete policy details, please review our Terms of Service.

Delays, Late Arrivals, Flexibility

Due to strict scheduling constraints and out of respect for all applicants, we must be diligent about starting appointments on time.

Applicant Delays: Applicants who arrive more than 15 minutes late to their scheduled appointment will have their test canceled, and the applicable cancellation fee will be applied. If you are concerned about traffic or other delays, our best advice is to plan on arriving early!
Examiner Delays: Occasionally, a preceding checkride may run longer than planned. If we are running behind, we will notify you as soon as possible. You will have the option to cancel without a fee if a delayed start no longer works for your schedule. If you choose to proceed, we remain fully committed to completing your evaluation and will stay as late as practical to conduct your test.
Maximum Flexibility: You can eliminate any worry about exact arrival times with our "Reserve The Day" add-on. Because you are the only applicant scheduled that day, we have maximum flexibility. See our Pricing page for more information.

Checkride Readiness & Planning

It is important to show up prepared and to have all items needed to start a practical test or administrative activity.

Applicant Readiness When you arrive for your practical test, you are expected to be fully prepared and ready to act as Pilot in Command. This means arriving with your logbook properly endorsed and tallied, your IACRA application completed and signed by your recommending instructor, and a confident understanding of your personal minimums.
Aircraft Airworthiness You are also fully responsible for presenting an airworthy aircraft. Please ensure all required inspections are current, Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are complied with, and the aircraft maintenance logs are organized and easily accessible for review during the ground portion of your exam. We do accept copies of logbook entries (paper or electronic) as long as we can verify the status of the aircraft using the documents you present.
Test-Specific Planning & Scenarios For all other day-of requirements, please visit our dedicated Planning hub. There, you can select your specific practical test to review the applicable Airman Certification Standards (ACS), our required pre-flight planning notes, examiner weight profiles, and your assigned flight scenarios.

Cold Weather Operations

During the winter months, you should expect frost on your airplane. Please be sure to take appropriate steps to ensure that you are able to depart in time to make your scheduled appointment.

At KAVL, Signature Flight Support (FBO) can hangar your aircraft upon request.
At your home airport, you should take appropriate steps to prevent the formation of frost/ice that would prevent you from leaving to be on-time for your test.
Many applicants that are traveling-in will arrive the day before and hangar their airplane at KAVL.
Inability to depart due to frost/ice is not cause for waiving a cancelation fee if the weather is otherwise good to fly.
If you are unable or unsure if you can provide a frost-free environment for your aircraft, please do not schedule a winter appointment.