Failing a type rating checkride can feel like a devastating blow to a pilot’s hard-earned career goals. The high-stakes environment of advanced jet transitions often amplifies the stress when a test does not go as planned. However, a single training setback does not mean the end of an aviation career if it is handled with professionalism and a clear recovery plan.
To navigate this challenge successfully, pilots must understand the regulatory rules, the employment impacts, and the specific steps required to earn their rating and protect their professional reputation.
Introduction to Type Rating Checkrides
What is a Type Rating Checkride and Why Does It Matter?
A type rating checkride is a practical test required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under 14 CFR Part 61. Pilots must earn a type rating to act as pilot-in-command of any aircraft weighing over 12,500 pounds or any aircraft powered by a turbojet engine.
Unlike early pilot training for a Private or Commercial certificate, a type rating checkride focuses on highly complex systems and heavy jet aerodynamics. The training is fast-paced and expensive. Because these ratings are usually tied directly to an active airline job or a corporate flight department position, the stakes are incredibly high.
Checkride Failure vs. Discontinuance: Understanding the Difference
It is important to understand that not all incomplete checkrides are failures. A checkride failure is an official determination by the examiner that a pilot did not meet the performance standards. This results in an official permanent record.
A discontinuance, on the other hand, is simply an operational pause. If a checkride is stopped due to bad weather, a mechanical breakdown, a medical issue, or a simulator system malfunction (a “squawk”), the test is discontinued. A Letter of Discontinuance is issued, allowing the pilot to finish the remaining tasks later without any negative marks on their record.
Immediate Aftermath: What Happens Right After a Failure?
What Counts as a Type Rating Checkride Failure?
A failure occurs when a applicant does not meet the standards outlined in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) or Practical Test Standards (PTS). In a jet simulator, this usually means exceeding tolerances for altitude, airspeed, or heading during critical maneuvers, such as an engine failure on takeoff.
Failures can also happen due to poor automation management or a loss of situational awareness. Additionally, type ratings often involve a crew environment. Under the “Seat Support” rule, if a pilot’s actions cause their simulator partner or safety pilot to intervene to prevent a simulated accident, it can lead to a failure.
The Simulator “Red Screen” and the Notice of Disapproval
When an examiner determines that a maneuver has failed, they will halt the evaluation. In modern flight simulators, this moment is often referred to as the simulator “red screen.” The examiner will then issue FAA Form 8060-5, which is an official Notice of Disapproval, commonly called a “pink slip.” This form is processed digitally through the FAA’s IACRA system and lists the specific areas where the applicant fell short.
The Option to Continue the Evaluation
If an error occurs early in the checkride, the examiner may offer the pilot the option to continue the rest of the test. It is highly recommended to keep driving forward and finish the check. By completing the remaining maneuvers successfully, the pilot earns partial credit. When it comes time for the retest, they will only need to be re-evaluated on the specific items they failed.
The Formal Post-Flight Debrief
After exiting the simulator, the examiner conducts a formal debrief. During this meeting, the pilot and the examiner review the specific ACS or PTS tasks that were unsatisfactory. It is vital to take detailed notes during this time. Understanding exactly why the failure happened is the foundation for building a successful retraining plan.
The Path to Re-Testing: Rules, Regs, and Timelines
The 60-Day Expiration Clock (14 CFR 61.43)
According to FAA regulations under 14 CFR 61.43, a pilot has exactly 60 days from the date of the failure to complete a successful retest. During this 60-day window, the partial credit earned for all passed maneuvers remains valid. If the pilot exceeds this timeframe, the entire checkride expires. They will be forced to retake the entire practical test from the very beginning.
Retraining Requirements Under 14 CFR 61.49
A pilot cannot simply sign up for a retest immediately after failing. Under 14 CFR 61.49, the applicant must complete mandatory remedial ground and flight training. An authorized instructor must observe the pilot demonstrate proficiency in the failed tasks. Once satisfied, the instructor will provide a formal logbook endorsement, which clears the pilot to attempt the checkride again.
The Financial Cost of a Type Rating Retest
A checkride failure comes with significant out-of-pocket expenses if a pilot is paying for their own training. Level D full-motion simulators can cost hundreds of dollars per hour to rent. When adding the costs of an instructor’s time and the Designated Pilot Examiner’s (DPE) re-check fee, a single retest can easily cost thousands of dollars.
The Corporate & Airline Impact: Employment Consequences
Airline Training Programs: The Jeopardy System
Commercial aviation training operates on a strict framework known as the “jeopardy system.” At an airline, training events are tracked carefully. If a pilot fails a checkride, they enter a status where their employment or upgrade is put on hold until remediation is complete. The consequences differ based on seniority:
- Initial Training: Newly hired pilots learning their first jet at a company face intense scrutiny. A failure during initial training carries the highest risk of job termination.
- Upgrade Training: Experienced First Officers upgrading to Captain have more historical credit with the company. The airline is generally more invested in keeping them.
Washout Clauses and Company “TRB” (Training Review Boards)
Many airline employment contracts contain “washout clauses.” These clauses state that failing to pass a type rating or recurrent training within a set number of attempts is grounds for immediate termination.
If a pilot fails, the company will typically convene a Training Review Board (TRB). The TRB brings together flight instructors, company management, and union representatives to review the pilot’s training records. The board will decide whether to grant extra simulator hours for remediation or to release the pilot from the company.
The PRD (Pilot Records Database) and PRIA Mandate
The FAA tracks pilot training records through the digital Pilot Records Database (PRD), which replaced the older Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) system. Any failed type rating checkride, Notice of Disapproval, or incomplete company training event is permanently logged into the PRD. Under federal law, future aviation employers are required to review this database before hiring a pilot, meaning a failure will be visible to corporate and airline recruiters for years to come.
Career Long-Game: Will a Failed Type Rating Destroy Your Airline Dreams?
Airline Hiring Standards: The “Rule of Three”
While a checkride failure sounds alarming, it rarely ruins an entire career. Recruiters across the aviation industry look at the big picture. Many major airlines loosely follow a “rule of three.” A single checkride failure is generally viewed as an isolated hurdle.
However, a pattern of multiple training failures across different certificates suggests a chronic issue with learning or performance under pressure, which can derail an application.
Explaining the Failure in an Airline Interview
When sitting down for an airline interview, honesty is the best policy. Recruiters will ask about any failures listed in the PRD. The key to a successful interview is showing total accountability. Pilots should never blame bad luck, a difficult simulator partner, or an unfair examiner.
Instead, use a structured narrative: state what went wrong, explain what was done to fix the issue, and highlight what was learned from the experience.
Step-by-Step Recovery Plan After a Type Rating Failure
To move past a failed checkride and return to the cockpit with confidence, pilots should follow a methodical approach.
Psychological Reset: Days 1-2.
Step away from the training environment briefly. Process the stress and combat checkride anxiety. Accept the situation so you can approach retraining with a clear, positive mind.
Diagnostic Review: Days 3-4.
Analyze the exact items written on the Notice of Disapproval. Break down the specific maneuvers or system knowledge limitations that caused the unsatisfactory grade.
Targeted Remediation: Weeks 1-2.
Book dedicated ground training and simulator time. Use “chair flying” techniques at home to build muscle memory, and practice the problem maneuvers in a high-fidelity environment with an experienced instructor.
Execute the Re-Check: Within 60 Days.
Return to the simulator with your 14 CFR 61.49 logbook endorsement. Stay calm, focus only on the required retest items, and complete the checkride successfully.
The Proactive Solution: Simulator Center LLC
The absolute best way to handle a checkride failure—or to prevent one from happening in the first place—is to train in a supportive, high-fidelity environment before testing. Simulator Center LLC offers the ultimate solution for professional aviators.
Specializing in advanced commercial fleets like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, Simulator Center LLC provides pilots with access to state-of-the-art Level D full-motion simulators. Their courses are taught by veteran Airline Captains who understand exactly what regulatory examiners and airline training review boards look for.
Whether a pilot needs remedial simulator time to clear a Notice of Disapproval, wants an airline assessment prep session, or is looking to complete an initial type rating with confidence, Simulator Center LLC bridges the gap between initial flight training and the rigorous demands of a modern commercial flight deck.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I fly a multi-engine jet if I fail my type rating checkride?
If you fail a type rating checkride, you cannot act as pilot-in-command (PIC) of that specific type of aircraft. However, a failure does not automatically revoke your existing pilot certificates or ratings. You can still exercise the privileges of your current Private or Commercial Multi-Engine certificates in other aircraft types for which you are already legally rated.
Can I change examiners (DPEs) for my type rating retest?
Yes. You are not legally required to use the same Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) for your retest. However, changing examiners means the new DPE will have to review your entire record carefully, and they may choose to evaluate additional maneuvers to ensure you meet all standards.
Do airlines immediately fire you if you fail a type rating?
Not always. While some companies have strict washout clauses for new hires, many airlines prefer to protect their recruitment investment. They will often send the pilot to a Training Review Board to look at their history and will frequently offer extra simulator remediation time before considering termination.
What percentage of pilots fail an initial type rating checkride?
While exact industry-wide statistics vary by aircraft type and training center, failure rates on initial type ratings are generally low, typically under 10 percent. The vast majority of applicants pass because the training leading up to the checkride is highly structured to filter out deficiencies early.
How long does a checkride failure stay on my FAA record?
A checkride failure results in a permanent entry in the electronic Pilot Records Database (PRD). While the administrative mark remains on your record indefinitely, its negative impact on your career diminishes over time as you build a clean history of subsequent successful checks.
Conclusion
Failing a type rating checkride is a stressful roadblock, but it is an event that many successful professional pilots have overcome. By understanding the rules, taking accountability, and focusing on thorough retraining, you can turn a setback into a valuable learning experience.
Do not leave your next training event to chance. If you are preparing for a difficult retest, an upcoming airline transition, or an initial type rating, contact Simulator Center LLC today to schedule time with veteran instructors in Level D full-motion simulators.
