E190 - Recovering After an FAA Checkride Disapproval
This episode of Behind the Prop breaks down how pilots can recover from an FAA checkride disapproval. The hosts emphasize that disapprovals are common and don’t define a pilot’s future. They outline a clear path forward: understand the debrief, take ownership, and focus retraining on specific weaknesses. Confidence, proper preparation, and even taking time to reset before a retest are key. The core message is simple—one bad day doesn’t end your aviation journey. In many cases, it can make you a better, more disciplined pilot.
Behind the Prop · Bobby Doss, Wally Mulhearn, Jay Robinson
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Show Notes
In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss, Wally Mulhearn, and guest Jay Robinson tackle one of the most stressful moments in a pilot’s journey—receiving an FAA checkride disapproval—and, more importantly, how to recover from it. The conversation starts by normalizing the experience, emphasizing that disapprovals happen at every level of aviation and do not define a pilot’s ability or future.
Wally provides insight from the examiner’s perspective, explaining that a disapproval simply means a standard was not met on that day—not that the pilot is incapable. The group highlights that anxiety, small mistakes, or even external life factors can contribute to an unsatisfactory outcome.
The episode then shifts to actionable recovery steps. First, pilots must fully understand the debrief and letter of disapproval, ensuring they know exactly what needs to be corrected. Next comes ownership—accepting responsibility as pilot in command—followed by focused retraining that targets specific deficiencies rather than starting from scratch.
The hosts emphasize the importance of confidence, smart preparation, and even taking time to decompress before a retest. They also reinforce that most pilots successfully pass on the next attempt. Ultimately, the episode reframes disapproval as a powerful learning opportunity—one that can produce safer, more self-aware, and more resilient pilots.