What Is a Checkride? Everything Student Pilots Need to Know

A checkride (the FAA’s term for a practical test) is the final exam every student pilot must pass to earn a certificate or rating. It combines an oral exam with a flight evaluation, both conducted by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). Understanding what a checkride involves, how to prepare, and what happens if you need to retake it will help you walk in confident on test day.

 

Key Takeaways

• A checkride is the FAA practical test required to earn a pilot certificate or rating.
• The exam has two parts: an oral exam with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and a flight evaluation.
• If a student fails part of the checkride, they typically only need to retake the failed tasks within 60 days.
• Most pilots pass on their first attempt, with FAA first-time pass rates generally ranging from 74–80% depending on the certificate.
• Strong preparation, including mock checkrides, Airman Certification Standards (ACS) review, and recent flight experience, is one of the biggest predictors of success.

 

What is a Checkride?

A checkride is the FAA practical test required to receive a specific pilot certificate or rating: from the Private Pilot License (PPL) to the Instrument Rating, Commercial certificate, and beyond. It is administered by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), an experienced pilot authorized by the FAA to evaluate applicants. At Part 141 schools like PEA, authorized chief pilots may conduct the end-of-course stage check in place of an outside DPE.

During a checkride, an examiner will fly with a student or active pilot to evaluate their ability to execute specific maneuvers. Based on FAA guidelines, the examiner assesses the individual’s performance and determines whether they pass or fail, which in turn affects their eligibility to begin or continue flying. As the FAA holds the highest aviation authority in the United States, its practical exams are of utmost importance. Students who recognize the significance of a checkride are better positioned for success in their examinations.

 

What Is the Oral Exam?

The oral exam is the first portion of a checkride and takes place before the flight evaluation. It is administered by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), who assesses whether a student pilot has the knowledge and judgment required to operate an aircraft safely. Rather than focusing on memorization alone, the oral exam is designed to evaluate how well applicants apply aviation concepts to real-world scenarios. Topics covered during the oral exam typically include: 

• Aviation regulations
• Airspace classification
• Aircraft systems
• Weather minimums
• Weight-and-balance calculations
• Emergency procedures
• Cross-country planning
• Logbook or endorsement requirements

The examiner may also ask scenario-based questions to evaluate aeronautical decision-making and risk management skills.

Students are generally allowed to reference materials during the oral exam, including sectional charts, the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), aircraft maintenance records, and other required documents. However, these resources should be used as support tools rather than substitutes for preparation. Relying too heavily on looking up answers can signal uncertainty or a lack of familiarity with key concepts.

The length of the oral exam varies depending on the certificate or rating being pursued, but most last between one and three hours. One of the most effective ways to prepare is to practice explaining topics out loud, almost as if teaching them to another student. This helps build confidence, improve retention, and strengthen communication under pressure.

 

How Long Is a Checkride?

Most checkrides take between three and six hours from start to finish, although the exact length depends on the certificate or rating being pursued, the examiner’s process, and weather or scheduling factors. The oral exam portion typically lasts between one and three hours, while the flight evaluation usually takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

Students should plan to arrive at least an hour early to organize their documents, review aircraft paperwork, complete the preflight inspection, and settle nerves before the exam begins. Rushing into a checkride can add unnecessary stress on an important day.

 

What to Bring to a Checkride?

Showing up prepared is an important part of a successful checkride. Before the exam begins, the Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) will review your documents to confirm that everything is current, complete, and compliant with FAA requirements. Missing paperwork can delay or even cancel the checkride, so it is worth double-checking everything ahead of time. Students should bring the following: 

• Student pilot certificate or current pilot certificate
• Valid medical certificate (or BasicMed documentation, if applicable)
• Government-issued photo ID

Applicants will also need their pilot logbook with all required instructor endorsements, along with their FAA written knowledge test results.

In addition to personal documents, pilots should bring required aircraft paperwork, including the airworthiness certificate, registration, Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), and current weight-and-balance information. Navigation logs, current VFR or IFR charts, and a functioning headset should also be ready before the checkride begins.

 

How Much Does a Checkride Cost?

Checkride costs vary because Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) set their own fees independently. Pricing often depends on the region, the type of certificate or rating being tested, and the examiner’s experience or availability. For most pilot certificates, students can expect checkride fees to range from roughly $500 to $1,500 or more.

Because retakes typically require additional flight training and another examiner fee, the cost of a checkride is a key reason to prioritize strong preparation before test day. At some Part 141 flight schools with examining authority, in-house stage checks may function as the practical test in place of an outside DPE, which can affect the overall cost structure for students.

 

Stay Informed on the Practical Test Standards (PTS)

Checkrides aren’t meant to trick students. The FAA’s Practical Test Standards (PTS) are accessible to students, outlining several maneuvers that they will be required to perform—such as proper takeoffs, landings, and stalls—and serving as the foundation for their evaluation.

Flight instructors review these maneuvers with their students and grant approval for a checkride based on their professional assessment of their student’s readiness. Instructors will only endorse their students for a checkride once they are confident, based on the Practical Test Standards, that the students are fully prepared to pass the exam.

Students uncertain about the exam tasks can consult the FAA’s guidelines for clarification. Selecting the appropriate Practical Test Standards guide is crucial, as the FAA provides separate versions for the different pilot licenses and ratings, including but not limited to Private, Commercial, and Flight Instructor ratings.

Students can rely on their flight instructors and the FAA’s extensive online resources for additional preparation before their checkride. It is reassuring to remember that these exams mirror typical flight procedures, so students won’t be required to perform unconventional maneuvers like barrel rolls or other extreme aerobatics.

 

Retaking a Checkride

Don’t panic! Should a student fail their first checkride, there are procedures for retaking the exam.

It’s natural for students to experience anxiety or distress after failing an exam, as even minor mistakes can overshadow the extensive preparation. While the prospect of failure is daunting, it’s important to recognize that mistakes are part of the learning process. Flying is subject to numerous variables, such as weather conditions and navigational challenges, which can be particularly difficult to manage under the added stress of examination.

Examiners promptly inform students of any failed maneuvers during a checkride and may either end the exam or allow the student to continue with the remaining tasks. In the latter case, students can earn credit for successfully performing maneuvers.

After a failure, students can retake the exam following additional training from their instructor, who will reassess their readiness. If the retake occurs within 60 days, students retain credit for previously successful tasks and only need to redo the failed maneuvers. For example, if a student fails the short field landing, but passes other tasks, they only need to perform one correct short field landing on the second attempt.

However, if a student fails the entire test or retakes it after 60 days, they must complete the full exam again.

 

Let’s Take a Look at Statistics

Most pilots pass their checkride on the first attempt. According to 2023 FAA civil airmen statistics, first-time pass rates were 74.5% for Private Pilot (PPL), 79% for Commercial (CSEL), 76.1% for Flight Instructors (CFI/CFII), and 91.2% for Airline Transport Pilot. Across all certificates, the overall first-time pass rate was 79.3%.

The CFI practical test consistently shows the lowest first-time pass rate, largely because applicants must demonstrate both skill and the ability to teach (a higher standard than other certificates).

The CFI practical test consistently shows the lowest first-time pass rate, largely because applicants must demonstrate both skill and the ability to teach — a higher standard than other certificates.

 

Tips for Passing a Checkride

Preparing for a checkride is about more than memorizing answers. Strong preparation habits, recent flight experience, and confidence under pressure can all improve a student’s chances of passing on the first attempt. Here are some practical ways to prepare:

• Know the ACS or PTS thoroughly: The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and older Practical Test Standards (PTS) outline exactly what applicants are expected to know and demonstrate during the checkride. These documents cover knowledge, risk management, and flight proficiency requirements, and students can download them directly from the FAA well before training is complete.
• Complete a mock checkride: Many students benefit from having a second Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) conduct a simulated checkride before the real exam. Mock checkrides can reveal weak areas, improve confidence, and reduce surprises on test day.
• Stay current before the exam: FAA regulations require at least three hours of flight training with an instructor within the two calendar months before a practical test. Recent flight time helps students stay sharp and comfortable in the aircraft.
• Organize paperwork ahead of time: DPEs will not begin a checkride if required endorsements, documents, or aircraft records are incomplete or missing.
• Take your time during the oral exam: Clear, thoughtful answers are more important than responding quickly. Examiners want to see sound judgment and understanding.

Treat the flight portion like a normal lesson: Students do not need to fly perfectly. Consistent habits, good decision-making, and safe aircraft control matter more than perfection under pressure.

 

Completing Your Checkride

As soon as a student has passed a checkride, they will be granted a temporary certificate and will receive an official certificate after the FAA performs a comprehensive review. While the student will have to pay for the exam, the certificate is issued at no additional charge.

Upon successfully passing the initial or subsequent checkride, a pilot can take comfort in knowing that a significant milestone in their pilot journey has been achieved.

 

What’s Next After Your Checkride?

Your checkride is a milestone, but it’s also just the beginning. Every rating and certificate you pursue from here builds on what you proved on that first practical test. If you’re ready to start your flight training at Phoenix East Aviation, our Admissions team is happy to walk you through your options. Reach out at info2@pea.com or visit our admissions page to get started.

 

Sources:

Tracking Pass Rates on Practical Tests. AOPA. (2022, March 28). https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/flight-schools/flight-school-business/newsletter/2022/march/28/tracking-pass-rates

Practical test standards (PTS). Practical Test Standards (PTS) | Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.). https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards