Pilot Certification: You Have to Earn It

Endorsements are not guaranteed for the private pilot check ride applicants showing up unprepared and under-experienced.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 11:23 AM ET

Verified

The high failure rate among first-time private pilot applicants may be caused in part by the "check the box" mentality that is prevalent in some flight training environments. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The article argues that pilot certificates are not "participation trophies," as evidenced by a high 50-60% failure rate for private pilot practical tests, suggesting many applicants are not being trained to minimum standards.
This unpreparedness is attributed to a "participation trophy mindset" or sense of entitlement among applicants who expect to pass, coupled with a "check-the-box" training mentality in some flight schools prioritizing expediency over thorough proficiency.
Common deficiencies include applicants lacking foundational knowledge or its application, being unfamiliar with Airmen Certificate Standards (ACS), using outdated materials, or relying on apps without understanding manual navigation and planning skills.
The high failure rate leads to wasted time for designated pilot examiners (DPEs) and highlights the critical need for comprehensive training focused on genuine understanding and proficiency to truly earn the pilot certificate.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Designated pilot examiner and FLYING contributor Jason Blair won the Internet last week with this line on his blog: Pilot certificates are not participation trophies. Well said, Mr. Blair, well said. The thought process behind the statement is that the high failure rate among private pilot applicants gives the impression that many are not being trained to minimum standards to achieve certification, rather the training is more like “check the boxes and go through the motions.’’

The Participation Trophy Mindset

Participation trophies have become cultural. If you are of a certain age and competed in anything during your childhood and youth—be it athletics, battle of the bands, speech club, etc.—you probably know what it is like to lose. Losing teaches a valuable life lesson: You can try your best but still fail. That is part of life. You learned from these failures. And when you were successful and came home with that medal, ribbon, trophy, or school letter you knew you earned it. Competition teaches a person how to work for something.