Think of the checkride as a final exam for pilots! Read on to learn what they are, how to prepare, and what to do if you need to retake the checkride.
Quick Navigation to Checkrides
Checkride Overview
Checkride Performance
- 3. “Prog” Checks
- 4. Passing a Checkride
- 5. FAA Pass Rates
- 6. Retaking a Failed Checkride
- 7. Checkride Failures and Your Career
Logistics & Preparation
- 8. Length of a Checkride
- 9. Documents, What to Bring, and What to Wear
- 10. Cost of a Checkride
- 11. Failed Checkride Follow-Up
Checkride Success
Practical Pilot Exam
For a pilot, few events are more satisfying than passing a checkride and earning that certification! A pilot checkride is the FAA practical test required to receive a specific pilot certificate or rating, such as the Private Pilot License (PPL) or Instrument Rating (IR). This practical evaluation serves as a final exam following months of flight training. Under the supervision of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), pilots practice maneuvers, prepare study materials, and build proficiency before being endorsed for the test. However, it’s the Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) who ultimately conducts the checkride. The DPE determines whether the applicant meets all FAA requirements for certification.
Part 61 vs Part 141
If you train at an FAA Part 61 school, you must take your checkride with a DPE. However, some Part 141 schools have examining authority. This means the end-of-course stage check is your checkride.
What is the oral exam?
At the end of ground school, pilots complete the FAA written exam, which is a requirement prior to taking a checkride. Before the flight portion of a checkride, the DPE administers an oral exam. This is to evaluate knowledge of aviation regulations, procedures, weather minimums, aircraft systems, and more. Questions cover a wide range of topics, such as airspace classification, logbook entries, aircraft maintenance, and emergency scenarios.
Pilots often prepare with a binder or study guide. We dissuade students from using “gouge” notes, which are basically summaries compiled from previous applicants’ experiences. These are becoming a crutch. Instead, we encourage you to master the content. Try teaching it to someone else. That’s a better way to learn the material.
While the exam is not fully open book, you’ll still hear, “How is the checkride open book?” around any flight school campus. Actually, applicants are allowed to reference charts, manuals, and aircraft documents. At Epic, we encourage our pilots to be familiar with these resources and only rely on them for clarification, not as a crutch. Hint: Take your time when responding during the oral exam. It is better to be thorough than fast.
What is a “prog” check?
“Prog” check is short for progress check. It is also known as a stage check. Prog checks provide an informal way to assess a pilot’s progress during flight training, especially before a checkride. During a prog check, instructors evaluate a pilot’s skills and knowledge to verify they’re on track for earning their pilot certificate. Although these are not official FAA checkrides, stage checks are common in flight training and important to ensure high training quality and a better pass rate for the final FAA test.
Stage checks help CFIs spot problem areas where a student may need more practice before moving forward. This can be ground training (procedures and knowledge) as well as flight maneuvers. Instructors give students helpful feedback to fix any weaknesses early. Prog checks also help instructors adjust their teaching methods if needed.
An example would be a pre-solo stage check to confirm the student is safe and ready to fly solo. These checks happen at other milestones, too, like before moving on to advanced maneuvers or doing a cross-country flight. Under FAR Part 141, prog checks are required to meet FAA standards at Part 141 schools like Epic.
How hard is it to pass a checkride?
Pilots pass checkrides every day, and most pass on the first attempt. This is because flight instructors prepare students throughout training on all FAA requirements. No CFI wants a student to have to retest. Many schools use flight simulators and mock checkrides to help students master the material. Epic instructors oversee student pilots in a flight simulator as they prepare them for all types of scenarios.
Thorough preparation is key. Whether you’re preparing for an instrument, multi-engine, or ATP checkride, repetition, understanding, and good habits are essential. Common reasons for failure include skipped checklist items, poor decision-making under pressure, or knowledge gaps.
What are the FAA first-time checkride pass rates?
The FAA reported the following data in 2023 for first time pass rates:
- Private Pilot (PPL): 74.5%
- Commercial (CSEL): 79%
- Flight Instructors (CFI, CFI-I): 76.1%
- Airline Transport (ATPL): 91.2%
- All: 79.3%
Prepared pilots are more likely to pass. Although these numbers are high, it is evident that many pilots failed on the first try. At Epic, we post all first time passes in our monthly newsletter and are proud that more than 80% of our pilots pass the first time.
Can you retake a failed checkride?
Absolutely. If a pilot does not meet standards in any area, the DPE issues a Notice of Disapproval outlining deficiencies. After additional instruction, the applicant can reschedule and retake only the failed portion. Many successful aviators have retaken a checkride. That said, repeated failures may raise concerns later in a career.
How many checkride failures is too many?
There’s no official FAA limit, but multiple failures on record could lead to questions during interviews. Airlines and employers will look at patterns. However, one or two failed attempts, followed by clear improvement, are not career-ending. Be honest about what you learned and how you improved.
Does a failed checkride affect a pilot’s ability to be hired?
No, not really. There are many reasons a fully qualified pilot could fail a checkride. A bad case of nerves could cause a pilot to forget to use a preflight checklist or miss some crucial step the DPE has to point out. Anything can go wrong, but a good pilot will use the failure as an opportunity to reflect, practice, and improve. The things you miss on a checkride are things you will never forget again. What matters is your response during your interview. Airlines may ask, “What happened?” and “What did you learn?” Showing that you used the experience to grow is a strong indicator of your professionalism.
“Pilots often stress about how long it takes to complete a checkride. Having taken and passed 8 checkrides here at Epic, including the PPL pass pictured here, I can tell you they fly by faster than you expect. Plan on anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, including the oral exam, although actual flight time is typically between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.” -Ray Altmann, Chief Flight Instructor at Epic Flight Academy
How long is a checkride?
The entire checkride, both the oral and flight portions combined, can take 3 to 6 hours. The flight portion alone often lasts 1.5 to 2.5 hours. I’m often asked, “How early should I arrive for my checkride?” We tell our pilots to plan to arrive at least an hour early to check documents, preflight the aircraft, and get settled in.
What documents are needed for a checkride?
You’ll need the basics. I recommend organizing these in a binder ahead of time. Bring these items:
- Pilot certificate (Even PPL checkride pilots must bring their student pilot certificate.)
- Medical certificate
- Logbook
- FAA written test results
- Government-issued photo ID
- Aircraft documents
- All required endorsements
What to Bring to a Checkride and What to Wear to a Checkride
Besides the documents I listed above, you should also bring:
- Navigation logs
- Performance charts
- Current VFR/IFR charts
- Functioning headset
Dress neatly. At Epic, our pilots only fly in uniform. Elsewhere, business casual is common. A private pilot checkride doesn’t require a uniform, but clean, comfortable attire makes a good impression. Look professional.
What is the cost of a checkride?
Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) set the price for a checkride. The fee can range from $500 to as high as $2,000 or more, which is another reason why you want to pass on the first attempt. DPEs are contracted to work for the FAA, which gives them authority to pass or fail a checkride. In some areas, you could test with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI), although they are less common. The checkride is one aspect of the overall cost of training.
What happens if you fail a checkride?
Look, every pilot dreads this, but if it happens, it’s not insurmountable. The DPE will give you detailed feedback, which identifies what went wrong. The FAA requires you to retrain and reschedule the failed portion of the checkride. Failing can feel discouraging, but it’s often a turning point toward deeper understanding of a critical concept. Discuss the reschedule policy with your DPE. Remember, you won’t need to retake the entire checkride if you retake it within 60 days. However, after that, you will be expected to take the entire checkride again.
Watch Our 7-Minute Video on Checkrides!
What are some tips for passing a checkride?
Whether you’re going for PPL or multiengine or Part 135 pilot, you can definitely take steps for a positive experience. Some simple prep can make all the difference. Follow the points from this guide, and with your flight training experience, you’ll only need a little luck! Also, listen to your instructor! Their advice is instrumental.
7 Checkride Tips:
- 1. Take your training seriously. Treat every flight like a check ride. Practice precision.
- 2. Ask other pilots about your DPE ahead of time. It can helpful to have some background.
- 3. Get plenty of rest the night before your exam. Eat healthy (brain food) to be alert and at your best.
- 4. Make sure your paperwork is perfect.
- 5. Communicate clearly. Think before responding, whether with words or actions.
- 6. Try to approach this flight like any other flight. It really isn’t that different. Don’t second-guess yourself.
- 7. Relax and enjoy showing off your knowledge. You’re a pilot, and your CFI believes you’re ready!
Checkride Traditions
Passing a checkride is a cause for celebration. At Epic, our flight students ring a bell, announcing their good news to everyone within earshot. This tradition lets everyone know the student is now a member of a unique club. Another tradition in celebrating flight training achievements is cutting off a pilot’s shirttail after their first solo. This custom was started to show a flight instructor’s newfound confidence in their student’s abilities.
In early days of flying, the instructor sat behind the student pilot and would tug on their shirttail to get their attention. After successfully completing the first solo, the instructor would no longer need to do that, hence the tail-cutting. These traditions change and morph over the years depending on instructors and flight schools. Celebrating a pilot’s achievement is fun no matter how it’s done. Here’s to passing checkrides on your first attempt!
Go for it!
Still wondering, “What is a checkride in aviation?” Think of it as your chance to demonstrate the skills you’ve worked hard to develop. Be prepared, stay calm, and remember: a checkride is not a trick or a way to trip you up. It’s a validation of all you know. Understand the meaning of each maneuver, prepare with purpose, and show your examiner what kind of pilot you are.
You’ve trained, you’re endorsed, and you’re ready. Good luck, fly smart, and be epic!
