How to Become a Check Airman at a Major Airline

Let’s explore who they are, what they do, and how you can become one.

Kasia Szwed-Carlson

Thursday, May 07, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A check airman is a pilot approved by the airline and the FAA who has the knowledge, training, experience, and demonstrated ability to evaluate and certify the knowledge and skills of other pilots. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Check airmen (also known as check pilots) are highly qualified pilots approved by airlines and the FAA to evaluate and certify the knowledge and skills of other pilots, playing a critical role in maintaining aviation safety and operational standards.
These individuals are selected based on exceptional attributes like airmanship, communication skills, professionalism, and extensive experience, often recommended by peers and airline leadership.
Their duties include conducting various types of checks and training—both in flight simulators and actual aircraft—to monitor pilot compliance, ensure standardization, and enforce adherence to FAA regulations and airline policies.
Becoming a check airman involves meeting specific FAA and airline qualifications, demonstrating leadership, and often requires taking on additional responsibilities beyond regular flight duties.

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Ensuring the highest level of safety for every flight demands meticulous planning, precise navigation, and adherence to strict regulations.

Airlines place a large amount of emphasis on the safety of their operations, all while ensuring their pilots adhere to the highest level of standards. To do so, airlines designate check airmen to conduct line checks, flight checks, competency checks, etc. to ensure all standards are appropriately met.