Question for you guys. I have my PPL and am wanting to get into aviation as a career. I keep hearing about airlines that do not hire pilots who bust their check rides. Unfortunately I have busted the PPL check ride once. The thought of going to school and busting again to not have a future aviation career concerns me. I am wondering if you guys have busted any check rides and if it does detract from your career? Thanks guys.
Robert
Robert,
Obviously no one wants a bust nor are they good things but the fact is it’s not uncommon and I know quite a few airline pilots who have had a bust or even 2. It becomes a problem after that. Anyone can have an off day and I can tell you a single bust might not even come up during an interview. Two failures and you can expect a conversation and the airline will want to know what happened, why and most important what you learned from the experience. When we start talking 3 or more it goes from a somewhat common occurrence to does this individual have some real challenges? Are they safe? Can they get through training? etc etc.
The biggest thing to take away from this is move forward and work as hard as you can to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Adam
Robert,
I think with just one failure, you will be okay. This goes without saying, but I would certainly do everything in my power to prevent a subsequent one.
Chris
Robert,
I have two busts. PPL and MEI. Not my proudest moments. Only way to handle it is accept them, learn, and move on.
Airlines don’t hire pilots for lying about how many check rides they’ve busted, or just lying in general, or showing a pattern of busts, or blaming others for their busts.
Tory