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 FAA and airline-approved pilots responsible for evaluating and certifying the knowledge and skills of other pilots to ensure high safety standards and operational compliance.
They conduct various training and checks in both aircraft and simulators, monitoring pilot performance and standardizing procedures across the airline.
Becoming a check airman requires specific qualifications, superior pilot attributes (like airmanship and professionalism), and often leads to additional compensation for their critical duties and responsibilities.

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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.