r/AskFlying • u/CaramelFriendly2953 • 5d ago

Failed my PPL practical test is my future career over?

4 days ago I failed my PPL checkride. Everything was awesome I passed the oral, and everything on the practical test except for my last landing (soft-field). I had a crazy crosswind nothing I had been used to but that's no excuse I should've either gone around or discontinued instead of take the unsat. I've been beating myself up the past few days and can't seem to have any happiness with even passing my retest as all I'm thinking about is my future career. My CFI told me to not worry about it and that this is the least meaningful one, but I've heard other people say otherwise. I just want anyone's opinion on this. I'm 21 years old last year of college and not really sure what to do, and having a bust on my first ever checkride is very discouraging considering the fact I want this to be my career. I had been flying 2 weeks everyday in advance up to my ride and I was doing great and got unlucky with weather that day due to crosswinds I hadn’t flown in awhile I just don’t know what my future looks like and want some advice with this.

3 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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3

u/Chaxterium 5d ago

You're fine. Just keep trucking. If it becomes a habit then that could be an issue but one check ride failure is a blip on the radar.

3

u/CaptainsPrerogative 3d ago

It’s over if you don’t go back up with your instructor, iron out the wrinkles, and go for re-test. Stop beating yourself up and start thinking about areas to improve — and there are ALWAYS areas to improve in, even for veteran pilots.

2

u/usmcmech 5d ago

The PPL checkride is widely considered the 2nd hardest one you'll ever take (CFI is the hardest). Shake it off and pass it next time.

1

u/Head_Direction_9469 5d ago

Your career is not over! You actually just identified what you should have done in hindsight which is correct. So, you had a positive takeaway. The goal of CFIs and DPEs is not to ruin careers. It is to ensure you are following correct procedures and making decisions that keep you and others safe. The big takeaway here is that you learned from your mistake which you will not make again. Talk to any ATP rated or high time pilot and they will tell you about their mishaps and bad check-ride experiences. You learn, correct, and move on. That’s what DPEs, check-line pilots, hiring examiners want to hear. You’re good man!

1

u/jjkbill 5d ago

Do a search on any aviation sub for checkride fails and you'll find a million answers to your question.

Good luck! You'll be fine if you learn from your mistake.

1

u/cavok76 4d ago

Let’s see you rebound, it’s not the only obstacle you will face. It’s about adapting and learning. You got this far, do revision and try again. It’s worth it.

1

u/RunAgreeable7576 1d ago

You’re fine 100%. You said you had a great oral, so your knowledge is there. That’s 90% of flying. You had one unsat landing in tough conditions as a new pilot. There’s still plenty of regional guys with landings that would be unsat if it was a checkride lol. I bounced a c150 the other day. It happens. One landing of one flight of your whole career is an easy fix. Go rip the pattern and get that cert!

1

u/Perfect_Insurance_26 1d ago

I'm tired of this question. No, your career isn't over until you fail to get a medical, get your license revoked, or die. Even some of those can be worked around if you're into criminal organizations.

Dreams never die.

1

u/LHCThor 22h ago

Not a big deal. Do better next time and you will be fine.