Key Takeaways
- Check Types: OPC for operations, LPC for license, skill test for initial ratings
- Frequency: 12-24 months depending on aircraft class and operation type
- Preparation Time: Begin 4-6 weeks before check with focused training
- Failure Rates: 10-15% initial failure rate, mostly due to inadequate preparation
- Revalidation vs Renewal: Complete check before expiry for revalidation, after expiry requires renewal with additional training
Understanding Pilot Proficiency Checks
Pilot proficiency checks are regulatory requirements ensuring pilots maintain competency throughout their flying careers. Unlike initial skill tests for license issuance, proficiency checks focus on maintaining existing privileges by demonstrating continued competence in aircraft operation, emergency procedures, and regulatory knowledge.
EASA Part-FCL establishes proficiency check requirements as part of the revalidation or renewal process for class and type ratings. These checks ensure pilots remain current with procedures, maintain flying skills, and adapt to regulatory changes throughout their aviation careers. The regulatory framework recognizes that flying skills deteriorate without regular practice and evaluation.
Purpose of Proficiency Checks
- Verify pilots maintain competency standards required for safe operations
- Identify training needs and skill deficiencies requiring remedial action
- Ensure familiarity with current procedures and regulatory requirements
- Demonstrate proficiency in emergency procedures and abnormal situations
- Maintain insurance and operational approval requirements
- Provide periodic evaluation beyond self-assessment capabilities
Types of Proficiency Checks
EASA regulations specify different proficiency check types based on operation category, aircraft complexity, and regulatory requirements. Understanding distinctions between check types helps pilots prepare appropriately and meet correct requirements for their operations.
License Proficiency Check (LPC)
Technical flying skills assessment
Characteristics
Operator Proficiency Check (OPC)
Operational procedures assessment
Characteristics
Skill Test
Initial rating or renewal assessment
Characteristics
Requirements by Aircraft Rating
Proficiency check requirements vary significantly based on aircraft class, type, and operational category. Understanding specific requirements for your ratings ensures compliance and avoids inadvertent expiry of privileges.
Single-Engine Piston (SEP)
- Revalidation every 24 months
- Requires proficiency check or experience
- Experience option: 12 hours flight time including 6 hours PIC, 12 takeoffs and landings, refresher training flight with instructor
- Proficiency check with examiner if experience not met
- Land and sea variants separate
Multi-Engine Piston (MEP)
- Revalidation every 12 months
- Proficiency check mandatory
- No experience-only option
- Must demonstrate asymmetric handling
- Engine failure procedures critical
- More stringent than SEP requirements
Type Ratings
- Revalidation every 12 months
- Requires LPC or OPC depending on operations
- Simulator typically acceptable
- Aircraft-specific procedures tested
- Systems knowledge assessment included
- Commercial operators may require 6-month checks
Instructor Ratings
- Revalidation every 36 months
- Requires assessment of instruction (AoI)
- Demonstrate instructional ability
- May combine with proficiency check
- Activity requirements also apply
- Different standards than pilot checks
Revalidation vs Renewal
Revalidation: Completed before rating expires, typically requires proficiency check only
Renewal: Required after rating expires, typically requires additional training hours plus proficiency check or skill test depending on how long expired
The Proficiency Check Process
Understanding the typical proficiency check process helps pilots prepare appropriately and know what to expect during evaluation. While specific procedures vary by examiner and aircraft type, most checks follow similar patterns.
Scheduling and Documentation
Contact examiner 4-8 weeks ahead. Provide license details, aircraft type, and rating details. Submit required documentation including logbook pages, previous check reports, and training records.
Pre-Check Preparation
Review aircraft manual, emergency procedures, and regulations. Complete refresher training with instructor. Ensure recent flight experience in aircraft type. Mental preparation and rest before check day.
Ground Oral Examination
Discussion of aircraft systems, emergency procedures, regulations, weather minimums, and operational procedures. Typically 30-60 minutes. Examiner assesses knowledge depth and decision-making.
Flight or Simulator Evaluation
Demonstrate normal procedures, emergency handling, and maneuvers. Typically 60-90 minutes airborne or in simulator. Focus on decision-making, risk management, and precise aircraft control.
Debriefing and Documentation
Examiner provides detailed feedback on performance. Discuss areas for improvement. Pass results in license endorsement. Failed sections identified for remedial training and retest.
Typical Check Content
Ground Portion
- Aircraft systems knowledge
- Emergency procedures recall
- Weather minimums and limitations
- Regulatory requirements review
- Performance calculations
- Risk assessment scenarios
Flight Portion
- Normal takeoffs and landings
- Emergency procedures simulation
- Unusual attitudes or upsets
- Instrument approaches if applicable
- System failures handling
- Go-around procedures
Preparation Strategies for Success
Successful proficiency checks result from systematic preparation combining knowledge review, skill practice, and mental readiness. Inadequate preparation is the primary cause of proficiency check failures.
Effective Preparation
- Begin preparation 4-6 weeks before check
- Review aircraft manuals systematically
- Practice emergency procedures mentally daily
- Schedule 2-3 refresher flights with instructor
- Focus on weak areas from previous checks
- Ensure adequate rest before check day
- Maintain currency with recent flying
Preparation Mistakes
- Waiting until last week to prepare
- Not flying aircraft type for weeks before check
- Skipping refresher training with instructor
- Ignoring weak areas hoping they're not tested
- Poor sleep or stress before check
- Overconfidence from previous easy checks
- Not reviewing regulatory updates
Knowledge Preparation
Create study schedule covering all aircraft systems, emergency procedures, and regulations. Use aircraft flight manual as primary reference. Review previous check reports for common areas tested. Practice memory items until automatic. Study regulatory updates since last check. Many pilots create flashcards for system limitations and emergency procedures.
Skill Preparation
Schedule dedicated practice flights focusing on check maneuvers. Work with instructor on weak areas. Practice emergency procedures verbally and through simulation. Ensure landing currency with recent practice. If using simulator, schedule practice session before actual check. Focus on consistency and precision rather than just completing maneuvers.
Mental Preparation
Visualize successful check completion. Practice stress management techniques for evaluation pressure. Ensure adequate sleep for several nights before check. Maintain healthy diet and hydration. Arrive early on check day to reduce rushing stress. Remember examiner wants you to succeed and is evaluating safety, not perfection.
Selecting and Working with Examiners
Choosing appropriate examiner and establishing good working relationship contributes to successful proficiency checks. While examiner standards are consistent, individual approaches and communication styles vary.
Examiner Selection Criteria
- Experience with your aircraft type and operation category
- Reputation for fair but thorough evaluations
- Clear communication style and helpful feedback
- Reasonable scheduling flexibility and availability
- Geographic location convenient for your operations
- Reasonable fees aligned with market rates
- Professional conduct and current examiner privileges
Before the Check
- Confirm examiner qualifications current
- Discuss scope and format of check
- Clarify documentation requirements
- Understand fees and payment terms
- Confirm aircraft or simulator availability
- Ask about preferred briefing format
During the Check
- Communicate clearly and professionally
- Ask for clarification if uncertain
- Admit mistakes rather than covering up
- Focus on safety decision-making
- Demonstrate systems knowledge depth
- Maintain situational awareness throughout
Common Reasons for Check Failures
Understanding common failure reasons helps pilots focus preparation on high-risk areas. Most failures result from inadequate preparation rather than lack of ability. Learning from others' mistakes prevents repeating them.
Inadequate Systems Knowledge
Inability to explain aircraft systems operation, limitations, or emergency procedures. Vague or incorrect answers to basic systems questions.
Prevention: Systematic study of aircraft manual with emphasis on systems interconnections and failure modes.
Poor Decision-Making
Continuing flight in deteriorating conditions, poor risk assessment, or unsafe choices during simulated emergencies.
Prevention: Practice scenario-based decision-making. Think aloud during check to demonstrate thought process.
Unstable Approaches
Excessive deviations from approach parameters, late or rushed corrections, failure to go around when unstable.
Prevention: Practice approaches emphasizing stabilized criteria. Develop go-around discipline when parameters exceeded.
Incomplete Emergency Procedures
Missing critical steps in emergency checklists, incorrect prioritization, or failure to maintain aircraft control during emergency.
Prevention: Daily emergency procedure review. Practice until procedures automatic and do not require conscious thought.
Lack of Recent Experience
Rusty skills from insufficient recent flying, unfamiliarity with aircraft after long break, slow reactions.
Prevention: Maintain currency with regular flying. Schedule refresher flights before check if significant time since last flight.
Proven Strategies for Check Success
Experienced pilots develop strategies maximizing proficiency check success rates. These proven techniques combine technical preparation with psychological readiness and practical check-taking skills.
Create Personal Preparation Timeline
Develop 6-week preparation schedule with specific milestones. Week 1-2: Systems review and manual study. Week 3-4: Refresher flights and emergency procedure practice. Week 5: Final review and rest. Week 6: Check completion. Adjust timeline based on personal needs and rating complexity.
Use Same Instructor for Refresher Training
Work with experienced instructor familiar with check standards and common evaluation scenarios. Instructor can identify weak areas and provide targeted practice. Request practice check or mock evaluation to simulate real check conditions and reduce anxiety. Instructor feedback more valuable than self-assessment.
Maintain Continuous Currency
Schedule regular flying throughout rating validity period rather than intensive flying just before check. Continuous practice maintains skills at higher level requiring less intensive preparation. Consider monthly refresher flights focusing on different aspects each time. Currency reduces check anxiety and improves performance.
Verbalize Your Thinking
During check, explain your thought process and decision-making aloud. Examiners evaluate judgment as much as technical skill. Verbalizing demonstrates systematic thinking and risk assessment even if maneuver execution imperfect. Silence leaves examiner guessing about your reasoning. Clear communication particularly important during emergency scenarios.
Learn from Each Check
Request detailed feedback after every proficiency check regardless of outcome. Document areas for improvement and create action plan for next rating period. Save examiner feedback reports for future reference. Each check provides learning opportunity improving future performance. Track progress over multiple checks to identify patterns requiring attention.
Maintaining Proficiency Throughout Your Career
Pilot proficiency checks are essential components of safe aviation careers ensuring continuous competency maintenance. Understanding check requirements, preparing systematically, and maintaining currency throughout rating validity periods maximizes success rates and minimizes stress. View proficiency checks as learning opportunities rather than mere regulatory hurdles. Each check provides valuable feedback on strengths and areas needing improvement. Successful pilots develop preparation systems, maintain continuous currency, and approach checks with professional attitude emphasizing safety and continuous improvement. Remember that proficiency checks exist to ensure you remain safe pilot capable of handling normal operations and emergencies throughout your flying career.