checkride
Common Checkride Busts
The recurring reasons applicants fail a practical test — and how to avoid them.
Most checkride failures aren't from a single bad landing — they come from a handful of recurring, avoidable problems. Knowing them is half the battle.
The usual suspects
- Inadequate preflight planning and risk management — a weak go/no-go decision, fuel or weather miscalculation, or not catching a real hazard.
- Steep turns and slow flight out of tolerance — usually altitude or airspeed control under task load.
- Stalls flown incorrectly — late recognition, or not reducing angle of attack first.
- Loss of directional control in crosswind takeoffs and landings.
- Poor checklist discipline and missed configuration changes.
- Airspace and ATC — busting a Class B/C boundary or fumbling communications.
- Letting one mistake snowball — fixating on a blown maneuver and dropping the next one.
How to avoid them
- Fly every maneuver to the ACS tolerances routinely, not just on a good day.
- Verbalize a clear go/no-go decision and risk picture during planning.
- Aviate, navigate, communicate — when something goes wrong, fly the aircraft first.
- Treat a poor maneuver as finished: reset, and nail the next one. Examiners often allow a second attempt if you ask before the standard is exceeded.
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*Reference and training only — not for navigation. Always consult the current AIM, FAR/AIM, your aircraft’s POH/AFM, official weather products and a certificated flight instructor.*
Official sources
For reference and training only — verify current requirements with the official authority. Last reviewed June 7, 2026.