Have you tried the airplane test?
A 2022 review says it’s the MOST SIGNIFICANT test to determine pointe readiness and predict future injury in young dancers en pointe. 1 I think it’s also a good predictor of how much fun adult ballet dancers will have, both in pointework and higher level exams.
The Airplane Test involves standing in parallel, with one leg extended to 90°, torso facing the floor, and arms out to the side like an airplane. From there, your supporting leg performs a squat while your fingertips reach towards the floor, before returning to your starting position.
Performed ballet style, it becomes arabesque en fondu.
This complex movement demonstrates:
- Balance – using subtle adjustments to avoid falling over
- Coordination – moving multiple body parts in harmony
- Triple fold – hip, knee, and ankle bending together
- Dynamic foot control – arches adjusting as you plié and stretch
- Core stability – supporting the spine’s alignment while moving and breathing freely
Mastering these skills can bring your dancing to life, particularly during allegro and pointework when you’re asking your body to do lots of things at once. When there are lots of moving pieces, you rely on these skills kicking in automatically, which is exactly what we want to see in a pre-pointe test!
It’s important to remember that repeating a test over and over is not the fastest way to improve.
Instead, you can use the airplane test to figure out which elements need work, and build them into your warmup or cooldown routine.
Try the Airplane Test for yourself! Which elements are the biggest challenge for you and how do you think they affect your dancing?
Hoping you fly through your week,
Natasha
1hough-coles, Kelly & Wyon, Matthew. (2022). Determining Pointe Readiness in Young Adolescent Female Dancers: A Systematic Review. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science. 26. 10.12678/1089-313X.121522b.