"Jon Kraus" wrote in message
...
Wow!! There are really some distinguished names appearing in this club. I
guess it really isn't a big deal after all...

No, I agree it's not a big deal. I haven't flunked a checkride yet (out of
only four so far), but I would be foolish to think I or anyone else could
possibly be immune to doing so.

Even the best prepared applicant can potentially freeze up, have a momentary
lapse of reason, etc. Heaven knows I've done things during my regular
flying that would have earned me a pink slip during a checkride
(unintentionally, of course).

IMHO, flunking a checkride just means you need to schedule another one. In
nearly all cases, the applicant IS qualified (I think instructors
*generally* do a good job evaluating readiness of their students, regardless
of the kind of rating being sought), and flunking simply is a matter of bad
luck. Exceptions exist, no doubt, but I believe they are far and few
between.

Pete