Frequently asked questions
Everything you might want to know before your first mock oral — how Maverick works, what’s covered, what it costs, and how we handle your data. Can’t find it? We’re one message away.
Getting Started
Pilot Computer is an AI pilot-training platform. It starts with the hardest part of the checkride to rehearse on your own: the oral exam. You sit down with Maverick, our AI DPE, and talk through a realistic mock oral by voice — then get an instant, FAA ACS-aligned score and feedback so you know exactly where you stand before the real thing.
You speak naturally, just like you would across the table from a real examiner. Maverick asks a question, listens to your answer, and asks adaptive follow-ups based on what you say. When the session ends you get a breakdown by ACS area, your strengths, the gaps to close, and what to study next. Run as many as you want — every session is unlimited on your membership.
No. All you need is a microphone and a modern web browser — the same laptop or phone you already study on. A basic headset makes your voice clearer and cuts background noise, but it isn't required. There's nothing to install.
Right now, yes — Pilot Computer is fully built out for the Private Pilot (PPL) oral. We're expanding across the training stack, with Instrument and Commercial next on the roadmap. Founding members keep their locked-in price as new stages roll out.
Maverick & the Mock Oral
Maverick is your AI DPE: the examiner persona that runs your mock oral. Maverick asks questions the way a real Designated Pilot Examiner would, holds a natural back-and-forth conversation by voice, and keeps the session moving the way a checkride actually flows. Think of Maverick as a tireless examiner you can practice with any time, as many times as you need.
Maverick mirrors the pacing, the open-ended questioning, and the follow-up style of a real oral, so the experience feels like rehearsal for the room you'll actually be in. The point is to make the real checkride feel familiar instead of intimidating. Pilot Computer is an independent study tool and isn't affiliated with the FAA or any examiner — your real oral is still conducted by a real DPE.
Yes. Maverick reads your answers and adjusts — when you nail a topic it moves on, and when an answer is thin or uncertain it digs deeper with follow-ups, exactly like a real examiner probing a soft spot. That's why the same area can feel different from one session to the next.
After each session you get an instant report: a score broken down by ACS area, what you handled well, and the specific topics that need more work. Instead of a vague "study more," you leave every session knowing the exact areas of operation to focus on next.
Yes. You can target individual areas of operation and tasks — say, weather, aeromedical factors, or systems — instead of running a full oral every time. It's the fastest way to drill the topics you know are shaky before a stage check or your checkride.
Content & Accuracy
Yes. Maverick's questions and scoring are built around the current FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS). The areas of operation, tasks, and knowledge elements you'll practice map to the same standards your DPE uses on the real oral.
We track ACS revisions and update the platform when the FAA publishes changes, so you're studying to today's standards rather than an outdated PTS or an old edition. If a standard moves, the questions and scoring move with it.
No — and it's not meant to be. Pilot Computer is a study aid that complements your instructor, not a replacement for them. Your CFI trains you, endorses you, and signs you off for the checkride; Maverick gives you a realistic place to rehearse and pressure-test what you've learned between lessons so you walk in ready.
Pricing & Billing
Membership is $29/month, or $190/year (about $15.83/mo) if you pay annually — a 45% saving and a founding-member price that's locked in for as long as you stay subscribed. Both plans include unlimited mock orals with Maverick and full access to every PPL feature. See full pricing.
We stand behind the prep: practice with Pilot Computer and if you don't pass your oral, you get your money back. It's our way of taking the risk off your shoulders — if it doesn't help you pass, you shouldn't pay for it. Reach out to support with your details and we'll make it right. Contact support to start a claim.
Yes. There's no contract and no cancellation fee — manage or cancel your membership yourself at any time, and you'll keep full access through the end of the period you've already paid for.
We don't run a free trial — instead, the pass-or-your-money-back guarantee means you can sign up and put Maverick to work with the assurance that if it doesn't help you pass, you don't pay. And because you can cancel anytime, you're never locked in.
Privacy & Data
To score your sessions and track your progress over time, we keep a recording and transcript of each mock oral. They're stored securely and tied to your account so your feedback and history are there when you come back. Full details are in our privacy policy. Read the privacy policy.
Your session data powers your feedback, scoring, and progress tracking, and helps us improve the platform. We don't sell your personal data. Exactly what we collect and how we use it is spelled out in the privacy policy. See how your data is used.
Yes. You can delete your session recordings and your account data at any time, and we'll remove it. If you'd like to request a deletion or have a question about your data, the process is covered in our privacy policy. Learn how to delete your data.
Technical
Pilot Computer runs in any current desktop or mobile browser — Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox — and works with your device's built-in mic, AirPods, or a wired headset. The first time you start a session your browser will ask for microphone permission; allow it and you're set.
Start by confirming your browser has microphone permission for the site and that the right input device is selected in your system settings. Closing other apps that grab the mic (video calls, voice memos), switching to a wired headset, and refreshing the page clear up the vast majority of issues. If it still won't work, our team is happy to help. Get help from support.
Still have questions?
Our team is made up of pilots and CFIs who’ve sat in the same seat you’re studying for. Ask us anything — you’ll get a real, specific answer.
Pass your oral or your money back — guaranteed.