checkride

A checkride is a formal aviation assessment conducted to determine whether a candidate meets the standards required for a pilot certificate or rating. In many jurisdictions, it combines an oral examination with a practical flight test and is conducted by a designated examiner.

Prerequisites commonly include medical certification, logbook endorsements from a flight instructor, and completion of required flight training and knowledge tests. The oral portion covers regulatory knowledge, weather interpretation, airspace rules, flight planning, performance calculations, and operating procedures. The flight portion assesses skill in performing maneuvers, procedures, navigation, radio communication, emergency handling, and general decision-making under varied conditions.

Outcomes: A successful checkride results in issuance or endorsement of the certificate or rating. If unsuccessful, the candidate may require remediation and must retake the checkride or portions of it after meeting deficiencies; in many jurisdictions there is a waiting period and retesting fees.

Scope: Checkrides exist for private pilot, instrument, commercial, and flight instructor certificates, as well as for type ratings and category ratings (for example, rotorcraft or balloons). They are a central part of aviation training and certification, serving as the final evaluation to verify readiness for independent operation of an aircraft under the applicable rules and standards.