PICs line checks: frequency and assignment method?

• A. 18 months; Random/No notice
• B. 12 months; Scheduled
• C. 24 months; Random
• D. 6 months; Time-based

Answer: (A)

Line checks are conducted during actual revenue flights to verify a PIC’s performance in real operating conditions, including decision-making, crew resource management, and compliance with procedures. The best approach here is to schedule line checks every 18 months and assign them randomly with no advance notice. The 18-month interval provides a practical balance: pilots gain recent, diverse experience across routes and times, while keeping the check from becoming so frequent that it becomes a routine drill. Random, no-notice assignment ensures the evaluation reflects how the pilot operates in day-to-day duty without time to prepare or conjure rehearsed responses, which makes the assessment more valid and representative of real performance. Predictable or strictly scheduled checks would allow preparation and could skew the results, and longer or shorter intervals would either risk proficiency gaps or unnecessary administrative burden.