Common Checkride Pitfalls

IACRA is the standard way to submit an application for a practical test. Everything can be done electronically, saving time and reducing errors

The FAA Form 8710-1 is the paper version of IACRA. This is still an acceptable way of submitting an application, however you must notify us in the comments section of your appointment requests if you have to use a paper form. 

Common reasons for using the paper form instead of IACRA is if you are adding on a rating to an existing certificate that IACRA does not have in its database, or you are applying for a certificate or rating that IACRA doesn't support. Contact us for details.

All applicants are required to provide a valid, government issued photo ID. Here are some examples:

• Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, and DoD civilians)
• Permanent resident card
• DHS-designated enhanced driver's license
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

Remember, the name on your Photo ID must match your written test result and your existing certificate EXACTLY. If it does not, please contact us and we can advise if we are able to correct it at your appointment or if you need to go to the HNL FSDO to have an FAA Inspector correct it for you.  Your application cannot be processed if these items don't match, and your checkride will have to be rescheduled.

If you have had a recent name change, please contact the HNL FSDO, as they are the only ones who can initiate a name change in the FAA database. Designees are not authorized to make this change.

Your written test results need not be produced at the time of testing provided they are uploaded into IACRA. I encourage you to bring it to the test in case any issues arise.

As stated above, the name on all documents must match. If you have a middle initial on one document and a full middle name on another, that will be an item that needs to be corrected before the practical test can commence.

All written tests must not be expired, with the exception of certain SFARs for military personnel returning from deployment. All written tests with the exception of the ATP Airplane Multiengine (ATM) written tests are good for 24 calendar months, and the ATM is good for 60 months. 

If you start a practical test prior to the expiration date, and an Letter of Discontinuance is issued and the flight potion is not completed before the expiration date of the practical test, the written test must be retaken prior to finishing the checkride. Please plan accordingly and do not book your checkride a day before your written test expires. 

All applicants who hold a certificate saying they are a citizen of a certain country and have changed citizenship since the last checkride must make an appointment with the HNL FSDO to get their citizenship changed before making an appointment for a checkride. FAA Designees are not authorized to make this change, it may only be done by an FAA Inspector.

For applicants who need to change their gender on their certificate, they must also contact the HNL FSDO for processing. 

HNL FSDO - 808-837-8300