Is a base check the same as a "line check"?
 

Just curious.

Erm, and it is a big ERM, as I am quoting this off the top of my head without really looking it up............

A Base Check is the old term for an OPC or Operator's Proficiency Check in the UK (+Europe?) which is usually carried out in the simulator or on an aeroplane without passengers as it involves engine failure drills etc. CAA/JAR check every 6 months, but may be combined and called an LPC (see below).

A Line Check is usually carried out by an observer training Captain on the jump seat of an actual aircraft, watching a pilot carry out a normal duty's flying on the day-to-day "line". No emergency based maneuvering is carried out on these checks. It is usually to check that the company's pilots are all fully aware of SOPs and there is a good level of standardisation throughout them. I THINK this is company dictated every six months and is not officially governed.

A Licence Proficiency Check or LPC is carried out every twelve months like the OPC, but involves some extra instrument flying procedures, and is usually combined with IR renewal. It is there to renew your type rating on the specific aircraft, and again is usually done in the sim as it involves full emergency drills. CAA/JAR requirement every 12 months.

Don't take any of this as gospel, I am sure a trainer will answer your question more accurately.

A 'base' check is so called because it takes place from a fixed base i.e. a simulator.
A line check takes place on line i.e. an operational flight.
Some airlines may have slight variations on this when a particular a/c may not have a sim available.

Years ago (and sometimes now) base checks were done in the actual aircraft. Have personally done many of these.
In addition, base training can also be done in the actual aircraft, altho this is less likely now due to operational costs, and as better simulators are available.

the old base check which is now an OPC is to see how you cope with extraordinary events such as NDB let downs(yes mine are extraordinary) engine failures and other emergencies.

a line check does not contain emegencies(hopefully). It is merely a trainer monitoring how you conduct the operation of the a/c from a to b and includes things like cabin crew liason as well as the obvious.

sim checks are 6 monthly and line checks are yearly or 13 monthly, cant remember.

whatunion says, check flights are a licence for the pedantic to feel noticed.

Oh yes I forgot a line check is were the operating crew do not read the paper but the training captain does!