Checkride Fees & Cancellations
Understand your checkride fees before requesting a practical test with Jason E. Jacobs. Contact Jason for the current fee for your certificate or rating, then review the deposit, retest, continuance, and cancellation policies below.
Booking / admin deposit
$500
A $500 booking/admin deposit is required to schedule. The balance is due when you arrive for your test.
The remaining balance is payable in cash (USD) or by cashier’s check. Credit cards and personal checks are not accepted. Follow the current deposit instructions for deposit payment options.
Your deposit is forfeited if paperwork issues cause delays, you cannot be qualified for the test, or you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice.
Retest fee
50%
50% of the initial fee when retesting within 60 days of a Notice of Disapproval issued by Jason.
If another examiner issued your Notice of Disapproval, the full practical-test fee applies regardless of tasks already completed, unless otherwise specified.
Continuance fee
50%
50% of the initial fee, subject to the exceptions below. Some unavoidable discontinuances can be continued without a fee within 60 days of the Letter of Discontinuance.
Plan ahead
Cancellations: give at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid forfeiting your deposit.
Testing space: when meeting at a designated airport, provide a private area free of distractions. Jason provides his own internet and printer.
Out-of-area tests: availability is considered case by case.
When a rescheduling fee may apply
- Your logbook does not demonstrate the required aeronautical experience for the certificate or rating.
- You arrive without required documents, aircraft maintenance records, proper endorsements, or identification.
- You present an unairworthy aircraft with an easily avoidable airworthiness issue.
Continuance policy
Unavoidable Reasons
I recognize that sometimes, despite the best of intentions, issues which may cause a discontinuance are simply out of our hands. Therefore, I do not charge to continue a practical test at a later date (within 60 days of the Letter of Discontinuance) for the following reasons:
- Unforecast weather
- Maintenance issue develops during the checkride
- Unexpected illness
- Other reasonable circumstances at the examiner’s discretion.
Avoidable Reasons
In my experience, I have found that the vast majority of discontinuances are avoidable. Unless other arrangements are made, it is the applicant’s responsibility to cancel the practical test in advance if there are concerns over weather or other factors.
In the event that a Letter of Discontinuance must be issued, I will charge a “continuance” fee for the following reasons:
- Weather is not suitable to the applicant despite checking forecast day prior, morning prior, etc.
- Airman presents unairworthy aircraft (issue detected after start of practical test)
- Applicant chooses to discontinue for non-urgent personal reason
- Others – at examiner’s discretion
Checkride fees: 5 essential booking questions
1. How do I confirm the total practical-test fee?
Contact Jason with your certificate or rating, test type, aircraft, and preferred location. The current fee should be confirmed for your request before you make travel plans. A published deposit amount is not the same as the total practical-test fee.
2. What should I review before sending the deposit?
Read the checkride deposit instructions and use the payment identifiers shown there. Include your name and type of test with the payment. The booking/admin deposit is $500; the remaining balance is due when you arrive for the test.
3. How can I reduce avoidable paperwork delays?
Review the scheduling requirements with your instructor before requesting a date. Check your application in FAA IACRA and organize the records, endorsements, identification, and aircraft documents required for your test.
4. What if I need to cancel or continue later?
Give at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellation to avoid forfeiting the deposit. For a discontinuance, review the detailed exceptions above and ask Jason which policy applies to your circumstances. Do not assume that every continuance is free.
5. Does a retest have the same fee?
The retest policy depends on who issued the Notice of Disapproval and the time since it was issued. Review the retest terms above before arranging another appointment. Contact Jason if you need clarification about the applicable fee or documentation.
For common questions about preparation, documents, appointments, and test day, visit the checkride FAQ.
Ready to plan your checkride?
Review the scheduling requirements before requesting your practical test.