The skill test is the EASA practical examination for issuing a licence or rating, flown with an authorised examiner against defined tolerances and competency criteria. It is the EASA counterpart to the FAA checkride, and incomplete training records are a common cause of postponed tests.
The skill test is the EASA practical examination for the initial issue of a pilot licence or rating, conducted by an examiner authorised by the competent authority. The candidate must demonstrate the required manoeuvres and procedures within the tolerances defined in Part-FCL, across defined test sections. Failing items in one section may allow a partial retest; broader failure requires retaking the full test after further training.
The skill test sits at the end of a chain of prerequisites the ATO must certify: completed approved training, passed theoretical knowledge exams (which have validity windows), recommendation by the training organisation, and a valid medical. It differs from a proficiency check, which is the recurrent examination used to revalidate or renew ratings already held.
Why it matters for flight schools
For an ATO, skill test readiness is where training quality and administrative completeness converge. Examiners verify the candidate's file before flying, and gaps in training records — an unsigned lesson, a syllabus item without evidence — can postpone the test. Because theory exam validity and course completion deadlines run in parallel, poor progress oversight can silently push a student toward expiring windows that force repeated exams.
How FlightLogger handles it
FlightLogger tracks each student's syllabus completion, theory validity windows and document status in one place — so the Head of Training recommends candidates for the skill test on evidence, not assumption.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a skill test and a proficiency check?
A skill test is for the initial issue of a licence or rating; a proficiency check is the recurrent test used to revalidate or renew a rating already held. Both are flown with an examiner, but they occur at different points in a pilot's lifecycle.
How long are EASA theory exams valid for the skill test?
Theory exam passes have defined acceptance windows — for example, PPL theory must be completed within an 18-month window and remains valid for licence issue for 24 months thereafter — so training delays can force retakes.