7 Ways to Control Your Check Ride Destiny

If it feels like the many requirements for your check ride aren't lining up, you are not alone.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 11:29 AM ET

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Learners who get very attached to their instructors might be willing to wait for that CFI to become more available. In doing so, however, they risk putting their training on hold. [Credit: Daryl LaBello/Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]

Key Takeaways:

Scheduling a pilot check ride is a complex process, often compared to the "Swiss cheese model," where numerous factors—such as CFI and aircraft availability, weather, and paperwork—must align, frequently leading to frustration and delays.
To overcome these common obstacles, pilots are advised to be flexible, not waiting for a specific CFI or airplane, and to ensure meticulous preparation of all documentation and aircraft airworthiness.
The article encourages pilots to consider traveling for "finish-up" programs or switching flight schools if local progress stalls, while also stressing the importance of perseverance through frustration and vigilance against exploitative practices.

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Are you familiar with the Swiss cheese model for accidents? It teaches us that when all the risk factors—the holes—line up, accidents happen.

The model can also be applied to check rides, except instead of the holes being risks, they are requirements for the check ride to happen. Sometimes it can feel like the holes will never line up, and you may feel like you’ve wasted hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. If you have ever felt this way, you are not alone.