Qualification Check

Qualification Check or Check Pilot refers to a pilot who is authorized to conduct flight checks and instruction, ensuring pilots meet proficiency standards and are competent to operate specific aircraft types.

What it is

Purpose

To assess and maintain pilot competency and ensure compliance with regulations and airline policies.

Who conducts them

Check pilots (or check airmen) are pilots who have been designated and trained to conduct these checks.

Where they occur

Checks can take place in aircraft (both in flight and in simulators) or in flight simulators.

Types of Checks

• Proficiency Checks: Regularly scheduled checks to ensure pilots maintain their skills and knowledge.
• Competency Checks: Checks conducted to assess a pilot's ability to perform specific tasks or procedures.
• Line Checks: Checks conducted during normal flight operations to assess a pilot's performance in a real-world environment.
• Simulator Checks: Checks conducted in a flight simulator to assess a pilot's ability to handle various scenarios.

Regulations

Check pilots must meet specific qualifications and training requirements outlined in FAA regulations (e.g., 14 CFR Parts 121, 135).

Key Responsibilities of a Check Pilot

Evaluating pilot performance

Assessing a pilot's skills, knowledge, and judgment during flight checks.

Ensuring compliance

Verifying that pilots adhere to regulations, procedures, and airline policies.

Providing feedback

Offering constructive feedback to pilots on their performance and areas for improvement.

Maintaining standardization

Ensuring that all pilots are trained and evaluated to the same high standards.

Representing the airline and the FAA

Check pilots represent the airline and the FAA, ensuring that all operations are conducted safely and in compliance with regulations.

Becoming a Check Pilot

Experience

Typically, a pilot must have extensive experience in the type of aircraft they will be checking.

Training

Check pilots receive specialized training to prepare them for their duties, including training on FAA regulations, airline policies, and aircraft systems.

Designation

Check pilots are designated by the airline and approved by the FAA to conduct checks.