The #1 Reason Private Pilots Fail Check-Ride

Oct 02, 2025

We had a special visitor yesterday — H.O.G.S. member Jared Mackay stopped by. Jared’s a familiar face on our Wall of Fame (four times so far, soon to be five!) for knocking out all his ratings. Pilots like Jared remind us of what consistent study and preparation can do.

And speaking of preparation… let’s talk about the number one reason examiners say private pilots fail check-rides today: iPad problems.


When the iPad Freezes

Technology is a fantastic tool in the cockpit. Apps like ForeFlight have changed how pilots navigate, plan, and manage flights. But what happens when that magic tablet fails in the middle of your check-ride?

One applicant found out the hard way. He had his iPad front and center, and a paper sectional chart tucked neatly under it on the kneeboard. Perfect backup, right? Except when the iPad froze, panic set in.

The examiner asked, “Do you know if you’re even heading the right direction?” Instead of calmly switching to the chart, the applicant thought he was being tricked — and promptly turned 180 degrees the wrong way.

That’s an instant fail.



Why This Happens

The problem isn’t the iPad. It’s relying too heavily on it and not preparing a workflow for when things go sideways.

  • If your chart isn’t ready, it’s useless when seconds count.

  • If you’ve never practiced flipping from iPad to paper, you’ll fumble when it matters most.

  • And if you’ve convinced yourself technology will never fail… you’re in for a rude awakening.

Examiners notice this right away. They’re not looking for perfection, they’re looking for professionalism. A pilot who calmly pulls out a chart, verifies the course, and keeps moving forward shows that they’re prepared for real-world flying.


 


Steven Carlson’s Story

This brings us to FAC student Steven Carlson. Steven came to us from Florida, where like many students, he was stuck. His school had long waits, limited aircraft, and his training was dragging on. By the time he showed up at H.O.G.S., he had 160 hours — and still no check-ride.

Within a few days at the Final Approach Course, Steven was prepped, polished, and passed. He’s proof that when you focus your time, get one-on-one instruction, and remove the “waiting game,” finishing becomes simple.

Fun fact: Steven had already toured the U.S. in a Bell Long Ranger before coming to H.O.G.S. for his private pilot finish-up. His story is a reminder — flight experience is valuable, but structured, intentional training is what gets you across the finish line.


Final Approach Course Advantage

This is exactly why we built the Final Approach Course. For 30 months now, we’ve welcomed pilots from across the country who just couldn’t get finished at home. Maybe their instructor left, their aircraft was down, or they were stuck behind a full schedule.

At H.O.G.S., we keep it simple:

  • 🚁 One or two students at a time, max.

  • ✅ One-on-one instruction, both flight and ground.

  • 📝 Full ACS prep — including the paperwork details that trip people up.

  • 👨‍✈️ An examiner we’ve trusted for over 25 years.

And yes — October openings are available now. If you’re ready to stop waiting, call or text Heather at (574) 767-1797 or visit FinalApproachCourse.com.


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Takeaway

The #1 reason private pilots fail isn’t lack of skill — it’s failing to prepare for the simple things, like what to do when your iPad fails.

Paper or electronic, your tools are only as good as the habits you build. Keep your cockpit workflow clean, your backups ready, and your training sharp.

That’s what turns check-ride chaos into check-ride success.