Checkrides

Guy M. Smith (guy.smith_at_nwa.com)
Tue, 13 Jan 98 18:21:10 PST

I got a very interesting call yesterday from one of our new instructor pilots. He was conducting his very first checkride after the FAA signoff and he had a difficult situation. The captain upgrading to new equipment (about 10 years with major airlines) had such a bad case of checkride-itis that he could not complete the checkride. He was sweating profusely and shaking. He had not shown any of these symptoms during the training. Of course, in the end, failing a checkride at that stage of a career does wonders for a person's confidence and stress-management!!

The instructor asked me if I knew of any research on the issue of check-ride-itis. The subject is covered superficially in many places, but I haven't located anything substantial or empirical on the subject. If anybody can point me in the right direction, I'd like to give this instructor some feedback.

It's an excellent topic for discussion. I think checkride-itis is not as uncommon in the airlines as one might believe. One of our 747 Captains told me that he studies all night before a proficiency check because he can't sleep. He knows his stuff; the checkride just gives him the Willies. I personally don't have a problem with pilots who "sweat" checkrides -- I'm one of them. But there may be those who are impaired by them. I have to ask the question, "Is there any relationship between response to checkrides and response to emergency situations in flight?" A tough research design! Apparently the pilot in question did fine in emergency training in the sim. But, how will he perform in a REAL emergency? Will it suddenly be a checkride?
Regards, Guy

Guy M. Smith Ed.D.
Manager, Applied Human Factors
Northwest Airlines N7205
St. Paul, MN 55111-3034
612-727-4255
612-727-4434 (Fax)
guy.smith_at_nwa.com