Three days to check ride...

[Guest]

...and I'm feeling nervous! I have a dual lesson scheduled for this evening (need to get the last hour of hood time and 3 more night landings), another dual tomorrow morning (PTS prep), and a couple of hours solo on Sunday. I'm not really sure what I will do on Sunday, but I like the idea of flying the day before and I'm sure there will be some things I will want to work on. I think I'm actually dreading the oral more than the flight test. I picture the DE asking me something I don't know and watching me sweat while I try to look it up (I would pay good money for a comprehensive FAR index at this point). My soft field takeoffs and landings have gotten much better recently, but they are still hit and miss, especially the landings. Half the time they are so smooth I don't even realize I am on the ground and the other half they seem harder than my 'normal' landings. There is a 99.5% probability that the check ride landing will be of the hard variety, I'm sure. I guess my biggest fear is of the unexpected. I went up with a different instructor at a different flight school a couple of weeks ago just to get another CFI's evaluation of my flying and I was surprised to find that flying with an unfamiliar person who was firing off commands at me made me nervous and rattled. Things that had seemed easy before (radio work, holding altitude) seemed to go out the window. And he was very helpful and friendly! I can imagine the same thing on the check ride, or worse since the DE will probably not be so friendly. I have read reports from other students that rode with this DE, and they all report that she just sits there and doesn't say much. They were all surprised when she said "Congratulations" at the end because they were all sure that they had failed. That sounds nerve-racking... I'm going to try not to stress too much about it, but I expect it is going to be a long weekend...ToddStudent Pilot 44 hoursP.S., thanks to Michael J. for the Columbia recommendation! I flew a long solo cross country from San Jose to Columbia (in the foothills of the Sierras), down the Sierras to Visalia, then back to San Jose. It was the most beautiful scenery I have seen yet, and I forgot to take my camera :( I saw Half Dome and El Capitan in Yosemite from about 5-10 miles away. The whole Yosemite Valley looked like a groove crudely carved out of a piece of smooth wood. Way fun.

[Guest ftessler]

Todd,We'll be with you in spirit! Knowing how diligent you've been, I'm sure you'll do fine.(I also hate it when oral examiners don't say much. One of the people who tested me on my oral boards 19 years ago was like that - I thought I failed for sure.)-Franklin------------------------------Franklin TesslerG4/500Fly! for Mac Forum Co-moderator

[Guest]

Well we all know you have it aced remember your CFI would never let you go on that ride unless heshe knows you are ready. Although hard to beleve the hard part is over (for now lol) So enjoy your new skill sir and enjoy!! Dan http://members.rogers.com/klasik2/danlogo.gifhttp://members.rogers.com/eelvish/flyurl.gif

[michal 44]

Todd,I am glad you enjoyed your solo to Columbia. I hope you managed to walk to town (this dirt path among rattlesnakes) which is an interesting place in itself.With 44 hours and being ready for the checkride you are doing very well, I think well ahead of national average.My PPL checkride was also out of Reid Hillview. Nice FAA guy. I made one oops but still passed. He made me fly with a flight plan towards east but then asked me to divert somewhere else and fly west. And then I completely forgot to switch altitude - from odd to even thousand + 500. Just reminding you of this little pest ...Michael J.

[JimD737 0]

Todd,If your CFI was as thorough as mine, you probably already know 99% of the stuff the DFE will ask! You WILL be suprised about how much knowledge you will have accumulated.As for the flight test, relax. Most if not all DFE's are not out to flunk you. This is your turn to "show what you know". He or she is just a passenger for that ride.When I fly, even though I was never a military aviator or will be an ATP, I try to think and act like one, even in a 172. There is a seriousness to flying that if not done properly, someone will get hurt. Think: Safety, security, professional.And do what I didn't on my first checkride: Check the DG for drift right after Takeoff! :) Second was a piece of cake!Good luck and God speed (and good speed if in a 172)!Regards,

[Avcomware 1]

Hi, Todd.The best thing you can do is, relax. Think of it as another lesson. If you do not know something, tell the DE, and ask him to help you find out where to find the answer. One thing to remember, Nobody wants you to fail. Make sure you get your Emcy. Procedures down and use the Checklists, they come in handy when nervous. You can expect things that you have done before, and there will always be something that you may not know. Remember a Private Pilot is a license to learn. Another thing you will have to remember is Distractions, it is very likely that there will be some, and they may be difficult to recognize. Good luck, and have no fear, you will do fine. Post here, or Email me, if you need more info. TV

[Guest jrewing]

Hey Todd,I'm certain than you'll do just fine. If you make some mistakes (everyone does), don't sweat it. Just move to the next task and keep doing your best. Unless the DE announces that the checkride is over, assume you're okay and keep going.It's expected that you won't know everything for the oral, but be sure you have a good grasp of all the topics listed in the PP/ASEL PTS.Break a leg! ;-)John

[Guest Bart]

Don't sweat it bro you'll do fine. Remember the old saying if you don't hear anything assume it's good news! :-hah Don't worry about the rough landings either, like my CFI tells me on few of the "want to crawl under a rock and hide" ones..."the airplanes not broke and nobody's dead so flaps up, full throttle carb heat in and lets do it again, just avoid those craters in the runway on the next landing". Another word of advise is when/if she pulls the throttle back informing you that we're simulating an engine failure, when you get to the end of the engine failure checklist DON'T say "well heck here's the problem....someone pulled the throttle out", then push it back in and tell her you just simulated fixing it!...sure am glad I fly with a CFI who can dish it out as well as take it! :)You're not ahead of me by much :), still looking for that hook-up in Kansas somewhere! :-beerchug c ya :-waveBart flyhelp@zoomtown.comhttp://bartsflyplace.tripod.com/pics/ryans...ight/flight.gif http://bartsflyplace.tripod.com/bart_logo3.jpg

[brucek 38]

Hi Todd,I'll be thinking of you! Just for what it's worth, my check-ride was one of my best flying experiences, the DE used it as a very useful instructional tool also. Most DE's know within moments if the check-ride will succeed, and since the initial work is the Oral (usually), here's where the "first impression" really occurs. An example of my Oral: I had planned a cross-country as instructed. We went over that using the sectional. One question relating to a phase of the flight that was Class E down to 1,200 AGL (Blue vignette) was "The weather just went bad, it's down to about 2.5 miles vis- what can you do to remain legal'? The answer, of course, was to descend into Class G (daytime). Followed by "And now, it's getting even worse- where can we go to land"? An uncontrolled airport with Class E to the SFC was about 20 nm away- and the SVFR clearance was that answer. "But it's not controlled- so who will we talk to in order to be cleared?". Well, there was a VOR nearby with FSS frequencies, who would relay the clearance from Center.That's the kind of very practical questions to expect- no tricks like the written has, and he/she's watching to see if you know how to make decisions.In the flight phase- obviously to scare the DE is bad, but don't worry about hard landings- it's of more importance that you're always in control of the airplane. Just my 2 cent's worth- and all the very best to you, Todd. Hopefully you'll be in the "captain's club" next week. Just one more thing- remember how that first solo was a special time, then that first solo cross-country? Well- wait until you take your first non-pilot passenger up with you, that's another very special moment.Bruce.

[michal 44]

Another "trick" question I recall from my exam...The examiner asked me to prepare a flight plan from A to B with all runway-length requirements, etc. I computed from the tables that yes I could takeoff from A under the specified conditions. He asked me then what if I had failure after take-off and had to come back for landing - would I be able to land. I then quickly dove into perf charts again to answer his question .. but he promptly stopped me - he said memorize this important rule - if you can takeoff then you can also land under the same conditions, no need to look at landing charts.This nice tip clearly does not apply to heavy transport aircraft where you may be well over the maximum landing weight on takeoff.Michael J.

[Guest]

Todd, try not to be nervous. I am 100% sure that you will pass. You have it in you!!! :-)Take careMike

[Guest]

I didn't make the trip into town, but I will definitely be going back (probably with my first passenger, my girlfriend).The DE has asked me to plan a flight to Red Bluff, so I am guessing that the divert point will be either Tracy or Byron. It will probably turn out to be some airport I have never heard of though :)Todd

[Guest]

I made up my own checklists in Excel, including:PreflightEngine StartRunupTakeoff (normal, short, soft)Landing (normal, short, soft)ClimbCruiseDescentBefore LandingDeparture StallApproach StallSlow FlightEngine FailureForced LandingEngine FireElectrical FireCabin FireObviously the stalls and slow flight are just for the checkride, but I'm trying to cover as much as possible to I don't have to remember as much. Anything else you can think of?Thanks,Todd

[Guest]

Thanks John, and thanks again for the simulated 'check ride'. Todd

[Avcomware 1]

Hi, Todd. Here are some of the things that I recommend to the people that take the Flight review. The better you do, at the beginning,the shorter the ride is likely to be. You may want to include the "Lost" and "Radio failure" including light signals, procedures and make sure the Runway incursions/procedures are well understood. See the rest of the text below to get some more ideas. TV>>Recommended reading:Review POH for aircraft capabilities and limitsApproved flight maneuversEmergency proceduresCrosswind limits and proceduresStall characteristicsSpeeds, configuration, flapsPattern speed and configurationUpdate checklistTakeoff and climb speedsFuel time, consumptionOperating limitationsEmergency proceduresDensity Altitude performanceWeight and balanceGround Instruction proficiency review: Runway IncursionThe need to read backReview airport layouts during preflightAirport signageNOTAMs reading for Rwy./Taxiway closureCheck traffic before crossing Rwy.Use of lights during taxi, Beacon/StrobeClear active Rwy. ASAP and wait for instructionsUse proper Radio phraseologyWrite down complex taxi instructions Weather:Convective activityWind velocitiesPossible extremes Information sources:FSSDUATAWOS and ASOSMETAR/TAFRegulations: Recency90 day requirementsFlight reviewIFR competence/currencyFARsVFRIFRAirspace:Class differences Aircraft operationsPilot requirementsAircraftRequired inspections and maintenanceRequired documentsSystem operationsNew electronicsWeight and balancePerformanceTakeoff, cruise, landingPreflight planning, Destination Airport layoutWeather considerations/SourcesDestination conditions,Survival kitNavigation by pilotageElectronic aidsCollision avoidance Uncontrolled field operations Radio communicationsShort field landings Use of checklistsGround reference TaxiingHood Airspeed controlMinimum Controllable Maximum performance landing/takeoff Cross-wind skillsNormal landing/takeoff Use of ground effectUnusual attitude recovery EmergenciesEmergency procedures Hood skillsCommunications Pattern skillsPre-takeoff procedures. Use of trimManeuversSlow FlightStallsSteep turnsGround referenceTakeoffs and LandingsNormalShortSoftX-windRadio PhraseologyMinimum wordsEmergencyElectricalFireEngineVFR into IFRLostELT<