How thoroughly are pilots being checked?

 

Very thoroughly. I have not come across any professions that are being subjected to such stringent tests once in every 6 months. The duration of the checks is about two days. 

Personally, I think this is a necessary routine to keep pilots hone on their flying skills as hundred of lives are in their hands should they make a mistake. In the simulator, one learn from one mistakes but no lives are being lost.

Every Airline has a different check profile but they would all include some of the mandatory exercises stipulated by their country's Civil Aviation Department.

A sample of a Pilot's Check Flight  would include the following:-

1. Technical Knowledge (Oral)

    

   • Aircraft Systems
   • Meteorology
   • Memory items on all Emergency procedures
   • Aircraft Limitations
   • Any latest amendments or procedures in flying
   • Any aviation matters

2. Line Orientation Flight Training

   A simulated flight profile over a specific route with many emergencies thrown in to see how the pilot handle the situation.

   Some of the mandatory exercises given include the following:-

   • Systems failures, example, hydraulics, electrical, navigation equipment, etc
   • Loss of pressurization caused by an explosion
   • Loss of an engine followed by a diversion
   • Landing Gears collapsed followed by a passenger evacuation drill
   • Landings in severe wind shear or strong cross winds
   • Any other emergencies as and when the examiner feels that certain training are necessary

3. Certificate of Test

   The mandatory checks would include:-

   • Aborted take off
   • Engine failure after take off
   • Single engine go around
   • Single engine landing

4. All Weather Operations (Automatic Landing Procedures in bad weather)

   Mandatory exercises would include the following:-

   • Aborted take off
   • Engine Failure after take off
   • Going around on single engine
   • Automatic landing in poor visibility with one engine
   • Co-pilot taking over controls when the Captain is incapacitated (example heart attack)

5. Instrument Rating Test

   • Test proficiency on the manual handling of the aircraft without the aid of the Auto pilot with an engine failure and going around in bad weather.
   • Carry out an Instrument Approach using an Instrument Landing System in bad weather.

Is this information sufficient for your knowledge?